Buffs, Rams finish what they started in December

The future of Colorado Buffaloes and Colorado State Rams football will gain more clarity Wednesday. National signing day doesn’t pack the same punch in 2018 as in previous years with the introduction of an early signing period in December and with CU’s and CSU’s recruiting classes mostly complete. But fans still have plenty to look forward to as several important newcomers are welcomed to the program. Here’s everything you need to know about the Buffs and Rams heading into signing day:

COLORADO

Total early period signees: 20

24/7 Sports class ranking (Pac-12/ national): No. 8 / No. 47

Remaining committed targets

• DE Alex Tchangam, 6-3, 250, De Anza

College, Cupertino, Calif.

• OL Kanan Ray, 6-4, 284, UCLA,

Chatsworth, Calif.

• RB Travon McMillian, Virginia Tech,

Woodbridge, Va. Three story lines

1. No drama. Don’t expect much surprise surrounding CU’s 2018 class. Minus a trio of transfers, the Buffs aren’t expected to add any more high school talent to this group Wednesday.

2. Ray in the fold? Ray, a former UCLA grayshirt, enrolled at CU in late January, per 24/7 Sports.; he is not, however, listed on the team’s online roster. That might change soon.

3. McMillian moves. CU’s prized graduate transfer running back still needs to receive his diploma from Virginia Tech in May to officially become a Buff. Once on campus, McMillian figures to be the leading contender as CU’s featured back next fall.

COLORADO STATE

Total early period signees: 17

24/7 Sports class ranking (Mountain West/ national): No. 2 / No. 75

Remaining committed targets:

• ATH Nikko Hall, 6-1, 171, Calabasas (Calif.) HS • WR Jammal Houston, 6-2, 180, John Ehret

HS, Marrero, La.

• OL Kavesz Sherard, 6-4, 310, T.L. Hanna

HS, Anderson, S.C.

• CB Nick Martin-Morman, 5-10, 167,

Archbishop Hannan HS, Covington, La.

• LB Cam’Ron Carter, 6-2, 210, Tucker HS,

Tucker, Ga.

• OL Keith Williams, 6-7, 280, Independence

CC, Independence, Kan.

• ATH Malcolm Magee Jr., 6-0, 177, Ocean

Springs HS, Pascagoula, Miss. Three story lines

1. QB search. CSU is without a quarterback commitment on the eve of signing day. Expect the Rams to land a late surprise addition or potentially hold out for a graduate transfer this spring.

2. Early holdouts. Houston and MartinMorman are both longtime commitments but chose not to sign during the early period. It probably means one of two things: The recruit is weighing other options, or CSU needed more time for an academic assessment.

3. Defensive tilt. Among CSU’s crop of 17 early signees, 12 were defensive players, and the trend will continue into this week with several more high-profile defenders set to join the Rams.