DENVER — Jay Norvell’s initial haul for the 2022 class made a strong impression on Wednesday. Despite only having about a week to evaluate the current roster, assess the needs and then establish a recruiting plan, the Rams were able to sign 22 individuals on the first day of the early signing period. With 10 open scholarships currently, and the possibility of that figure increasing as more players enter the transfer portal, the process of overhauling Colorado State’s roster has really only just begun too.
“One of my heroes is John Wooden, and John Wooden had a saying, he told his players to be quick, but not hurry,” Norvell said. “You know, we had a window here of about a week before signing day, that we tried to really be quick. We really tried to be diligent, but we didn’t want to hurry.”
Norvell continued, explaining that with so many needs on this roster, in order to reflect what they need to be able to compete with, the coaches had to be very specific about the players that they brought in. They have to fit a very specific criteria that includes physical elements, overall talent and having the right personality. Norvell wanted players that he felt had the right character and work ethic to help him instill his values program wide. And because of that he wanted to be quick, but also be diligent because they can’t afford to make mistakes.
Looking at the 22 signees, a couple of things stand out, including bringing in a trio of quarterbacks, adding 12 players from California and perhaps most notably signing nine transfers from the University of Nevada. Two or three players going from one school to another would be significant but nine is unheard of. At least it used to be. In the era of the transfer portal, players have a lot more flexibility to choose where they want to be. And these former UNR players elected to remain with Novell, Matt Mumme and the crew.
Norvell addressed the situation and acknowledged the uniqueness of it all. He mentioned that in his 30 years of coaching, this 2021 offseason and the 2o22 recruiting cycle in general were more impacted by transfers than they had ever been in the past. But he also explained that his job is not to please the world, his job is to make decisions that are in the best interest of the CSU football program and manage the roster. And with the ability to lean on players that are already familiar with his system, the way his practices operate and really just everything about his coaching style, Norvell jumped at the opportunity to take his guys with him. It’s pretty similar to the way he took his offensive coaches, head of strength & conditioning and his recruiting staff from UNR.
“Our practices are completely different from what they have (been doing) here,” Norvell said. “We run all practice, we throw the ball constantly, you know, I told some of our guys, you’ll probably catch more balls in the first hour than you have your whole career. And so that’s just the way we practice. There’s always five guys throwing, five guys catching. That will take some transition (time), it’s something that you’ve got to get used to. But I think some of those kids will help the transition.”
The nine former Nevada players that now play for CSU are QB Clay Millen, RB Avery Morrow, WR Tory Horton, WR Melquan Stovall, TE Peter Montini, DB AJ King and offensive linemen, Gray Davis, Jacob Gardner and Trevyn Heil.
Millen was a four-star recruit coming out of Mount Si High School (Washington) and was at one time committed to the University of Arizona. He ultimately elected to sign with Norvell in Reno, NV and with Carson Strong always planning on declaring for the NFL Draft this winter, it was Millen that was next in line to run the air raid for the Wolf Pack.
One would assume that barring injury, Millen will be CSU’s starting QB moving forward. And what’s really exciting for Ram Nation is the fact that he and both of the three-star prep quarterbacks that CSU signed all still have four years of eligibility to work with.
Along with Millen, the other headliner of the pack of transfers that came over from UNR is definitely Horton. Over the last two seasons the athletic wide receiver developed into one of the most dangerous playmakers in Mumme’s offense. As Norvell joked on Wednesday, Ram fans should be familiar with Horton considering he scored a pair of touchdowns against CSU in the season finale.
Wide receiver Tory Horton (14) catches a touchdown in the 2021 season finale against the Colorado State Rams. PHOTO: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
A duo of Horton and Dante Wright has the potential to be as lethal as any one-two punch in the Mountain West. So bringing him over is a huge win for CSU in Year 1 under a new staff. The fact that Horton still has three years of eligibility remaining thanks to the weird COVID-19 rules doesn’t hurt the cause long term either.
The other wide out that came over with Horton is Melquan Stovall, UNR’s starting slot receiver the past couple of years. He hasn’t been nearly as productive as the guys that Mumme used to stretch the field with like Romeo Doubbs, Cole Turner or Tory Horton, but he’s a senior that can provide guidance for guys in the program as it transitions to the air raid system. Plus, as Norvell made abundantly clear, CSU just needs way more wide receivers on the roster in general. Getting one that Norvell already trusts and knows the system is just the cherry on top.
Tight end Peter Montini hasn’t played a big role yet but Norvell spoke highly of his athleticism, as well as his abilities on special teams. Remember, during his introductory press conference the veteran football coach said that he wants players that are fanatical about playing special teams. So that and Norvell’s decision to have a coordinator be solely dedicated to the third phase of the game shows where his priorities stand.
Rounding out the skill players that transferred intraconference to CSU is running back Avery Morrow. In 19 career games over the last two seasons, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound back from Seattle, WA had 25 carries for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Like Horton, Morrow scored against CSU in 2021. And like Horton, the up-and-coming back is a junior with three years of eligibility to play.
Running back Avery Morrow (25) celebrates with linebacker Peter Montini (42) after a touchdown in the fourth quarter. PHOTO: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
While the guys that touch the ball are the flashiest additions to CSU’s roster, the big uglies will likely end up being some of the most important. Gray Davis and Jacob Gardner are both multi-year starters in Norvell’s system. And Trevyn Heil is a promising young tackle that just happens to be a local product from Grandview High School. The Rams signed seven offensive linemen on Wednesday. The Nevada guys are massively important though.
Last but not least, cornerback AJ King played in all 12 games for the Wolf Pack in 2021, finishing the season with 40 tackles, eight pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles. For a secondary that desperately lacks depth, King’s arrival is much needed.
"I was really humbled by all the Nevada kids that wanted to play here. It means we're doing something right."
— Justin Michael (@JustinTMichael) December 15, 2021
There’s no guarantee of success when it comes to any hire, or any signing for that matter, being able to poach a staff of successful coaches and talent that’s already proven in the Mountain West is such a big advantage for the Green & Gold though. While it may not be popular with everyone — the athletic director at Nevada for instance — CSU taking seven likely starters from a conference foe is such a power move. And for the first time in a long time, there’s a collective sense of excitement from the fan base.
It’s going to be fun to watch these new guys tear it up CSU at Canvas Stadium, rather than tear up the Rams with their talent. It’s safe to say that a new era of Rams football is here.
