In-state recruiting updates: McElroy has CU offer

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Mullen (Denver) High School sophomore running back Marcus McElroy Jr. received an early Christmas present from Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre on Dec. 10. The 2017 prospect picked up his first scholarship offer from the in-state Buffaloes.

Two seasons into his prep career, the 6-foot, 200-pound McElroy has rushed for 1,686 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 117 carries per season as a freshman and sophomore, per Maxpreps. McElroy impressed the Buffs this summer at a camp in Boulder.

"Yeah, it was today," McElroy said on Dec. 10 about landing a CU offer.

"The coach, he came and visited the school, pulled our transcripts to look at our grades. Coach had me call him and he was all like 'I've watched a lot of tape on you, you're a good student, you're a good player.' So he came out and said 'I'd like to offer you a full scholarship.'"

Landing that first offer meant a lot to the Denver back.

"All I could say was thank you, it was a big moment," McElroy said.

MacIntyre and Co. hit Mullen hard this month, extending offers to sophomore athletes Christian Cumber and Isiahia Banks, as well as McElroy.

The Mustangs' running back was named to the Six Zero Strength All-Colorado team on Dec. 10, making for an even more exciting day. It's an early honor for the Centennial State product.

"It means a lot right now. As a player from Colorado, there's not a lot of recognition that we get. To be recognized as one of the best players in Colorado, it's a big deal at a young age," McElroy said.

The Buffs are an early leader and MacIntyre's staff will continue to watch McElroy's development.

"CU as a program, from what I've known and seen, it's a good program. I'm hoping academically that I can get what I need out of it and I can figure out if it's the right school for me, where I can fit in," McElroy said.

"[MacIntyre] said that they hope they can keep me in contact and they'll be my biggest recruiter for the next couple of years."

Here are brief interviews with other All-Colorado players:

Cherry Creek senior RB Milo Hall

Recruiting interest: "It's going good. Wyo still, a little bit from CU and CSU. I want to get up for an official, January at CSU, maybe the same for CU. I'm going to take an official to Wyoming in January as well."

CU interest: "CU liked me, we just had to get some stuff figured out grade wise and see where that goes."

CU said anything about an offer? "Not really, I'm just focusing on school right now and finishing up strong."

Were you the best player in Colorado in 2014? "It's hard to say, there were a lot of good players such as Andrew [Wingard] and a couple of others."

On winning the 5A state title: "It's the best feeling ever, I can't even describe the feeling. It's a feeling you can't describe, if you can go back in time you'd do it again."

Cherry Creek sophomore LB Santino Marchiol

Being named to the All-Colorado team: "It's an amazing opportunity and I look for it to get better and better. It's amazing at this age, thanks to the man up stairs, hard work is paying off."

Goals for 2015: "I just want to continue to get better, make my team better. It looks like we have some good kids coming next year."

Recruiting interest: "CSU and Hawaii [offers] still. I've been talking to CU, I'm going for a visit up there soon. Not any other in-state schools, Miami, Georgia. We're going to visit them in the next year."

McElwain leaving CSU: "I really like him a lot, I've kept in contact with coach Mac. I think he's a great guy. He said he wants to stay in contact."

In state or out of state for college? "I just want to find a coaching staff where I really fit in well. I'm still looking everywhere, have a long way to go."

Cherry Creek senior WR Joseph Parker

On being named Six Zero WR of year: "It feels pretty good. Didn't have the greatest numbers this year, [we] struggled through the air, but it's nice to get some recognition."

Early enrollment at Wyoming: "I'm really excited. Taking my official, Tanner Gentry is hosting me. Everything is working great. I want to make friends and I'm just excited to go. Pretty firm … I hope I'm pretty firm if I'm leaving pretty soon."

Other interest: "There were a lot of schools that contacted me. The main thing they asked me when they came through Creek and all that was 'are you firm with Wyoming?' There's not a lot that could take me from Wyoming."

Position in college: "Slot, they're just going to try to get me the ball, whether that is on the outside or in the backfield."

Milo Hall to Wyoming? "I hope so. Me, Milo, they're thinking about bringing in Tyus [Carter] too. With [Andrew] Wingard, that's going to be a great class … and Kevin [Prosser]."

Pine Creek junior S/LB JoJo Domann

On postseason awards: "It's awesome, the big guys up front and linebackers, Kacin Nowlen, and Jack Wibbels, they all made it easy on me. It was a great season."

Going for a three-peat in Colorado's 4A next season: "Guys need to step up, but hopefully. We're going to work our butts off and try to get back."

Recruiting: "It's going well, I'm actually taking an unofficial up to CU. They're talking some good news so far, so I'll meet with [Mike] MacIntyre, it's been fun. Coach [Charles] Clark calls me about once a day, he called me before my basketball game before this. I enjoy it, he's cool."

Domann received a CU offer on his unofficial visit to Boulder

Position at the next level: "There going to see how big I get, but safety or outside backer."

Other schools interested: "None from CSU, Wyoming, Air Force, ASU, K-State, Nebraska. Arkansas, they've sent me a couple of letters."

Thoughts on CU: "They're on the rise. I know they had a tough season, but I think they'll get back. I like what they're doing up there."

Pine Creek senior QB Tommy Lazzaro

How's recruiting going? "Good, pretty good. Lot of JUCOs, D-2s, Indiana, San Diego State. I've got [an offer] from Dodge City, it's a JUCO, CSU-Pueblo, Fort Lewis, Colorado Mesa. Hope Indiana [offers]."

Interest from Indiana: "It started to pick up at the end of the playoffs, they started talking to me. Warren helped me out. I hope to take an official there."

Overland senior ATH Josh Wright

Recruiting interest: "Yes sir, it's been going great at the D-2 level, it's been picking up there. D-1, UNC, Weber State, it's picking up … UNC hopefully and Weber State [are close to offering]."

Ralston Valley senior ATH Andrew Wingard

Gatorade Player of Year and other postseason honors: "I've got to thank everyone all the people around me, couldn't have done it alone. My parents, my teammates, I've got to give all the thanks to them. It feels good though. … It feels really good to be able to win those awards not for me, not for my parents, but for the school, Ralston Valley."

Firm in commitment to Wyoming? "I am. I've talked to coach [Toby] Neinas on Twitter a little bit from CU, but you can put me a strong verbal because I love it up there."

Enrolling early at Wyoming? "I'm not, Joe [Parker] is going to go early. I'm just going to enjoy the second semester of high school. Go to prom, play basketball, all that. I'm going to enjoy it then I'm going to get to work in Wyoming in June."

Colorado players headed to Cowboys: "Kevin [Prosser] was here, Joe was here, Milo [Hall] came up to me after and said he's going to make a decision soon. I don't know if it'll be to Wyoming, but I hope it is, he'd be a great addition. It's awesome being here, taking pictures with all those guys, starting friendships. It's going to be fun."

Pomona sophomore OL Jake Moretti

Recruiting interest (which includes CU/CSU offers): "It's pretty cool, but I've just got to stay focused on high school football. [Recruiting] is going pretty well, a bunch of different schools, but like I said just have to stay focused. I've talked to Michigan State, besides that, not too much."

CSU first to offer/Jim McElwain leaving: "CSU is pretty cool. It's pretty crazy, it's still a good program, it's still coming up."

Heritage senior DL Frank Umu

On committing to Colorado: "Definitely, to do it officially is a great feeling. [Mike MacIntyre] called me about Thursday night, I already had the plan to commit. I decided that I'd commit, he was very excited."

On the process of pledging to the Buffs: "[I] sat down and talked with my dad. [We] thought that was a better decision for me and it's where I wanted to go. Coach MacIntyre was honest about it, he said he wanted to wait and watch me, watch a couple of games and see how I moved on the field."

Postseason awards: "It feels great. I won [Six Zero] defensive lineman of the year here … and for South Metro, my league."

Goals for the offseason: "Just get my weight up and get a lot stronger in the weight room. I want to be at 285 [pounds], almost 290."

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