The Zen Master Strikes Again: Lynn Katoa

Washington and Illinois are two of the hottest programs when it comes to recruiting. Colorado must be added to the list. Dan Hawkins added stud linebacker Jon Major last month, added big California tight end Ryan Deehan just a few days ago and now have landed another outstanding linebacker prospect in Cottonwood High's (Salt Lake City, UT) Lynn Katoa.

The 6-2, 225 lb Katoa committed to the Buffs this weekend. This was a huge victory for Dan Hawkins as Katoa picked Colorado over top-flight programs such as Texas, USC, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and Miami. How he ranks:

Rivals: #62 prospect in the nation, #2 ILB nationally
Scout: #21 overall, #2 ILB
ESPN: #148 overall, #15 OLB

Landing Jon Major was imperitive as he had built up a relationship with Lynn Katoa and this undoubtedly impacted the talented linebacker's decision.

This kid is special. To start he has only played two years of organized football so at the moment he is getting by on pure athletic ability and raw instincts. Secondly, he will graduate this month and be enrolled for the Spring semester allowing him to go through spring practice and get acclimated to the campus prior to the fall. So clearly he is an intelligent kid.

He can really run when he needs to. Trailing a kick returner by seven yards, Katoa turned on the burners and not only caught up with his teammate but passed him by almost five yards in order to lead block down the sideline. Cottonwood scored. It was very impressive.

There are, of course, issues with having such limited playing experience. He does find himself lost at times, especially on play-action fakes. His fundamentals will need a lot of work as well. Tackling, coverage, blitzing etc.

He has all the natural ability to scrape through traffic and get to the ball carrier though. Getting to campus in the spring will help him tremendously as the CU staff will be able to instill some technique into his game prior to his freshman season.

If The Hawk can just get all these new stud recruits to call Darrell Scott, this could be one of the best recruiting hauls CU has ever had.