Northern Colorado signs five locals for 2022 class

Northern Colorado signed a solid 2022 class that featured a mix of transfers in the portal and high school recruits. Of the high school players they signed, five are from here in Colorado. Here is a look at the local prospects set to join the Bears this fall. <h3><strong>Ezra Ekuban, 2022, 6’2, 205, Regis Jesuit (LB)</strong></h3> A two-way player who was productive during his high school career, Ekuban is a player Northern Colorado likes because of his toughness and agility. He is a physical player who moves well in space and should help against the run and pass on defense. Shows physical hands when engaging opposing players and can jam nicely, whether up at the line or blocking from his wide receiver spot. Can come off the edge and get sacks in the backfield (had three in 2021). Contributed in special teams, an area he could help in early on. Ekuban had 25 tackles and 11 receptions in his senior season for Regis Jesuit. <h3><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153690" first="Blake" last="Haggerty"], 2022, 6’0, 185, Castle View (WR)</strong></h3> The first commit to the 2022 class announced by Northern Colorado. Can fly down the field, which makes him great a catching the short pass in the flat and then turning up the field for extra yardage. Can stop on a dime in his breaks, so he can use that to his advantage on his routes when teams play off-coverage with him. Shows both an inside and outside release at the line to beat a press corner as well. Can play both the slot and the outside receiver spots. Had 37 receptions for 473 yards and five touchdowns in 2021, and he contributed on defense with 49 tackles and two interceptions in the secondary. His speed and return experience means he could be in play for a special teams role as well. <h3><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="241233" first="Marcus" last="Howard"], 2022, 6’5, 205, Aurora Central (LB)</strong></h3> Had a big senior season for his team. Really gets off the line quickly and shows some nice techniques to get off the block on the edge and pursuit the ball in the backfield. Had a monster season rushing the passer with 23 recorded sacks per his stats on Maxpreps.com. Does a good job wrapping up his opponent at the point of contact. Shows a number of plays where he makes the right play when being read in the read-option game, holding until the last second and then tackling the running back when it is a handoff. Shows good length in his arms that should help take on blockers. Should help in the run game and rushing the quarterback as an outside rusher as he continues to grow dropping into coverage. <h3><strong>Aidan Moe, 2022, 6’7, 280, Ponderosa (OL)</strong></h3> Built with an excellent frame heading into college at 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds. When locked on with a smaller defensive lineman, will drive him down the field. He plays until the whistle blows, showing a nice motor. Did a good job as a run blocker with down blocks to create a lane behind him. Has the strength to catch a pass rusher and then hold him at the point of contact, which allows him to do well when he set blocks at the line instead of kicking back in protection. Tends to stay locked onto his defender when he gets both hands on you. <h3><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="166903" first="Bryce" last="Vaz"], 2022, 5’9, 180, Legend (RB)</strong></h3> A true three-down back who will be a factor in both the run and passing game. Does a good job finding space when running his checkdown and then turning up the field for extra yardage after the catch. He also shows good route-running skills that could help if they do motion him to the edge. When running the ball, he hits the hole fast and does not hesitate. Has good power to bounce off some tackles and a nice burst in the open field. He has some return experience as well and could help in the special teams game early, and his skill sets in the passing game means you can get him the ball in a variety of ways. During his senior season, Vaz had 1,706 rushing yards, 306 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns.