CSU picks up commitment from dual-threat QB out of Nevada

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Colorado State football has added yet another quarterback into the mix for the 2021 cycle.

On Monday afternoon, Evan Olaes of Legacy High School in Las Vegas, announced his intent to sign with the Rams. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound dual-threat quarterback joins Luke McAllister (CO) and Chance Harris (NM) in what is shaping up to be a QB-heavy class for CSU.

According to 247Sports, Olaes holds eight total offers, including Air Force, Army, New Mexico and Yale. As Olaes posted on his Twitter page, though, he is most excited about the opportunity being given to him by the staff at CSU.

COMMITTED!!🐏💚💛 #2AM1LY pic.twitter.com/ww9WYnUuPn

— Evan Olaes (@evan_nationn) June 8, 2020

In 11 games last season, Olaes completed 162-of-262 pass attempts for an impressive completion rate of 62 percent. He displayed a consistent ability to protect the football as well, finishing the year with 22 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions.

What makes Olaes particularly dangerous, though, is the versatility that he brings to the field. Yes, he can beat you with his arm — but he’s also an extremely capable rusher. In 2019, Olaes led the Longhorns with 1,109 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. With such a versatile skillset under center, it makes sense why programs like Air Force and Army were interested in his talents.

Obviously, the decision to recruit a third quarterback may turn some heads in Ram Country. But considering CSU went multiple cycles without signing a high school quarterback, it makes sense for Steve Addazio to keep his options open — especially with so much still time remaining until National Signing Day. After all, you never know what will happen in the chaos of a recruiting cycle.

Along with adding depth at QB, the staff also picked up some beef on Monday with the commitment of  Kyjuan Phillips, a 6-foot-4, 293-pound offensive tackle out of Florida. With the addition of those two, CSU’s 2021 class is now up to 19 commits and currently ranks in the top 50 in the nation (247Sports).

2021 commits

QB | Luke McAllister | 6-foot-4, 187 pounds | Monument, CO.

QB | Chance Harris | 6-foot-0, 198 pounds | Clovis, NM.

QB | Evan Olaes | 5-foot-11, 195 pounds | North Las Vegas, NV.

RB | Alex Berrouet | 6-foot-1, 200 pounds | Acton, MA.

RB | Patrick Smith | 5-foot-11, 185 pounds | Absecon, NJ.

WR | Gerick Robinson | 5-foot-11, 160 pounds | Las Vegas, NV.

WR | Langston Williams | 5-foot-10, 155 pounds | Centennial, CO.

TE | Drake Martinez | 6-foot-3, 205 pounds | Houston, TX.

TE | Tanner Arkin | 6-foot-3, 215 pounds | Fort Collins, CO.

OL | Justin Michael | 6-foot-5, 260 pounds | Fort Collins, CO.

OL | George Miki-Han | 6-foot-1, 300 pounds | Santa Ana, Calif.

OL | Kyjuan Phillips | 6-foot-4, 293 pounds | Dr. Phillips, Fla.

DL | Grady Kelly | 6-foot-3, 257 pounds | Navarre, Fla.

DL | Mukendi Wa-Kalonji | 6-foot-5, 210 pounds | Aurora, CO.

DL | Tyler Quinn | 6-foot-1.5, 266 pounds | Duncanville, TX.

LB | Elijah Muhammad | 6-foot-2, 230 pounds | Middle Village, NY.

DB | Lathan Adams | 5-foot-9, 160 pounds | DeSoto, TX.

DB | Andrew Garwo | 5-foot-11, 170 pounds | Fairless Hills, PA.

P | Jackson Ray | 5-foot-11, 150 pounds | Gilbert, AZ.