3-star edge Carson Mott commits to Colorado

BOULDER — The herd is growing.

Carson Mott, an edge rusher out of Simi Valley High School in California, announced on Twitter on Monday that he plans to attend the University of Colorado. Mott is a 3-star prospect with a pair of other Pac-12 offers. He is the 11th CU commitment in the 2023 class.

Extremely excited to announce my commitment to the University of Colorado. #commited #gobuffs 🦬 @CoachGChatman @k_dorrell @AndyWangCU @coachjb21 @CUBuffsFootball @247Sports @TheAcornSports @AurandBlueprint @simi_football @coach_wilson10 @CoachJGardner @vcstar pic.twitter.com/LcZJ1cFGKE

— Carson Mott (@MottCarson) June 13, 2022

At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Mott projects as a great fit as a 4-3 defensive end. He played both ways in high school, as an edge with his hand in the dirt and standing up and also as a tight end.

Mott excelled as a run defender in high school. He was big and strong enough to hold his ground at the point of attack and then toss the blocker to the side when it was time to make the play. He also showed some burst off the line when trying to penetrate into the backfield.

As a pass rusher, Mott won in a variety of ways. He could push the tackle backward and then spin inside, but he could also win around the edge. Most of his success came because he was a superior athlete than who he was lined up against not because of his technique.

At the next level, Mott will need to develop more pass-rushing moves because he probably won’t be able to rely on pure power and quickness to get into the backfield. This is true of most edge recruits. His bend around the edge makes it easy to see him finding success. Plus, his ability read the backfield and shed blocks at the point of attack should translate once he adds more muscle to his frame.

Mott was previously committed to Cal but decommitted last month. According to 247Sports, Colorado offered him two days later.

Mott also had offers to Washington State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Nevada and others.

Mott, a 3-star according to 247Sports, is one of 11 CU commits in the 2023 class. That number includes tackle Naquil Betrand, who announced a new Top 10 list last week but hasn’t officially decommitted.

Mott’s .8511 composite grade by 247Sports makes him the No. 81 EDGE in the country and the seventh-highest rated CU commit in his class. Four commits are .01 or less ahead of him in the rankings.

Colorado’s 2023 class is now ranked 17th in the country, though that ranking is bolstered by its size.