Inside Look: Colorado’s Top 2023 Prospects

Evaluating prospects in the 2023 class can be a bit challenging due to a COVID-19 shortened season. The reality is most prospects only played about five games, and there weren’t a ton of varsity contributors as sophomores. Nonetheless, these prospects went out and put together impressive sophomore seasons this past fall. With that being said, here were the top 2023 performers from around the state. QB: Brayden DormanBraydenDorman6'4" | QBVista Ridge | 2023CO, 6’5, 200, Vista Ridge A tall gunslinger with a big arm, impressive timing, and solid touch on all three levels. Dorman is calm and composed in the pocket & will let it rip downfield. His ball has some serious zip behind it, and he will consistently hit his targets in stride. He’s an intelligent prospect in the pocket and will look off opposite-field safeties before throwing to a wideout downfield. Dorman has a fluid release that is in-sync with his footwork. When he wants to let it rip his arm, and footwork work hand in hand. To me, he’s a pure pocket passer who can stand in there, work through his number one read all the way down to his check down. He’s already picked up a handful of offers, and I fully expect more to be coming soon. I believe Brayden is a 3 star + kind of talent who is teetering on that fourth star. OL: Joshua Bates, 6’4, 285, Durango It’s not easy to find center prospects with the size and movement skills that Bates possesses. On film, Joshua is a strong pass protector who can pass off stunts but also anchor down against a bull rush and give up little ground. He does a good job of hitting on a rise and getting lockout against his opponent. He’s got solid turnover in his knee drive and can overpower his opponent simply with his size. He can unlock his hips to pull and shows no issues working out on the perimeter as a blocker if given a chance. Bates understands zone principles and knows when to double team or simply work up to the second level. LB: Blake PurchaseBlakePurchase6'4" | LBCherry Creek | 2023CO, 6’4, 210, Cherry Creek A lengthy outside side linebacker prospects with long arms and noteworthy burst. His top-end speed is impressive, often seeing him chase down running backs in the backfield. He can put his hand in the dirt and play five-technique if need be in pass rush downs. He’s shown a good get-off on the snap and the ability to bend to defeat opposing tackles. Purchase is a fighter against the run and will do everything in his power to shed blocks and make a tackle. Right now, I have him listed as an outside linebacker, but if he continues to add weight, I could see him as a true 4-3 defensive end. Right now, he currently holds one offer from Colorado. QB: Cole LaCrueColeLaCrue6'2" | QBBroomfield | 2023CO, 6’2, 190, Broomfield Of all the kids on this list, LaCrue has to be the biggest sleeper of them all. Cole has a compact release and can deliver the ball on an absolute rope. He’s a natural at throwing the go ball and will drop it right into the receiver’s breadbasket in stride. When under duress, he shows an uncanny ability to escape pressure and make throws downfield. He throws very well on the move and can make you pay when he’s outside the pocket. The touch is there, as is the ability to throw his targets open. Cole is receiving little to no recruiting attention just yet, but I fully expect that to change over the next few months. This kid is an extremely gifted quarterback prospect who can beat you with his arm and his legs. Other Prospects on the Rise  WR: Brandon HillsBrandonHills5'8" | WRVista Ridge | 2023CO, 5’9, 160, Vista Ridge LB: Zach Lewis, 6’1, 200, Fairview OL: Cayden Bird, 6’5, 300, Grandview TE: Tyler PellTylerPell6'4" | WRCherry Creek | 2023CO, 6’4, 205, Cherry Creek LB: Tai FaavaeTaiFaavae5'11" | Linebacker/SafetyFountain-Fort Carson | 2023CO, 6’, 205, Fountain-Fort Carson WR: Mac BusteedMacBusteed6'4" | WRFossil Ridge | 2023CO, 6’5, 200, Fossil Ridge