Four more football players commit to Division I colleges

Fairview’s Sam Martin. (Kai Casey

Following four more verbals over the weekend, Colorado high school football now has 29 players committed to Division I programs. That number is the most since 2010, when the state produced 33 Division I players, according to a search of the Rivals.com database.

Fairview wide receiver Sam Martin (Miami of Ohio), Heritage defensive end Conner Cain (Wyoming), Valor Christian lineman Ryan Cummings (Wyoming) and Ralston Valley quarterback Jacob Knipp (Northern Colorado) all announced commitments over the weekend.

Martin, who broke a number of state receiving records, announced his decision over Twitter on Sunday evening:

Officially committed to Miami of Ohio! HUGE thanks to everyone that has helped and supported me along the way through this journey! #Blessed

— Sam Martin (@SaMartin83) January 19, 2014

Martin also had offers from Eastern Washington, Illinois State, Lafayette, Montana State, New Mexico State, Northern Colorado and Rutgers, according to Rivals.com.

Cummings also announced his decision on Twitter on Sunday:

I’m happy to say that I have officially committed to play football at The University of Wyoming! #blessed #CowboyUp #GoPokes #Excited

— ryan cummings (@ryancummings92) January 19, 2014

 
Cummings is one of five Eagles heading to Division I football, and is the third lineman.

Cain announced his commitment to Wyoming minutes prior to Cummings:

Happy to say that today I’ve committed to play football at The University of Wyoming #GoPokes #CowboyUp

— Conner Cain (@candycain74) January 19, 2014

 
Cain had originally been committed to Eastern Washington. WyoSports.net has more on both Cummings and Cain’s commitments.

Christian James, publisher of ColoradoPrepReport.com, tweeted the news about Knipp’s commitment to Northern Colorado. Knipp set the state’s completion percentage record this season (70.2 percent).

Among Colorado’s other Division I verbals — encompassing both FBS and FCS schools — are Valor Christian running back Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), Cherry Creek running back Nate Starks (UCLA), Falcon athlete Kalen Ballage (Arizona State) and Mullen kicker/punter JK Scott (Alabama).

Ten players are staying home:

• Loveland athlete John Freismuth, Douglas County running back Trey Smith, Pomona lineman Zach Stefo and Valor Christian defensive back Marcus Wilson will head to Colorado State.
• Regis Jesuit lineback Terran Hasselbach, Silver Creek lineman Isaac Miller and Cherokee Trail defensive back Evan while will play at Colorado.
• Knipp, Monarch lineman Kody Mommaerts and Pomona lineman Kendall Ryan will play at Northern Colorado.

In 2013, 21 players headed to Division I schools. There were 19 D-I products from Colorado in both 2011 and 2012.

National Signing Day is Feb. 5. All commitments are non-binding until recruits sign letters of intent on that day.

Find complete lists of known commitments from all sports in our recruiting database.