February 6, 2008, 06:47 p.m. EST
by John Gabrielsen
(Contact/Staff Bio)
Audio Clip
Jim Downs to UWyo, Interview by Dennis Switzer
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University of Wyoming head football coach Joe Glenn announced his sixth recruiting class at Wyoming on Wednesday. The 2008 Cowboy recruiting class features a number of future impact players for the Cowboys. Coach Glenn points at one of the top junior college quarterbacks in the nation in Dax Crum from Mesa Community College in Arizona as well as Orlando Arnold, a junior college transfer from Contra Costa Community College in California at tight end. He added the No. 1 ranked linebacker and No. 9 ranked overall recruit from the state of Iowa in linebacker Ben Durbin from Gilbert, Iowa.
Local product Jim Downs of Glenrock inked his intent to be a Cowboy. Downs is 6'7 and 265 pounds. Coach Glenn said, "Not only do we have athletes who can run, but we're bringing in some good size in Jim Downs from Glenrock, Wyoming; Nick Williams, one of the top linemen in Colorado; and Kyle Magnuson, who has been one of the best offensive linemen in the state of Indiana the last couple of seasons. I also like the toughness of this group. We had several of them in our summer camps, and have had an eye on a number of them for a long time."
Downs was the top college prospect from the state of Wyoming in 2007, and he will remain in his home state to play football for the University of Wyoming. Downs was an All-State selection by the Wyoming Coaches' Association as an offensive lineman as a senior after leading Glenrock High School to the 3A State Championship game this past fall. Glenrock finished with a record of 9-2 in 2007. As a junior, Downs was named Honorable Mention All-State and was a First Team All-Conference performer. He is a multi-sport star at Glenrock and is on pace to earn 11 letter awards. Aside from football, he has been a three-year starter in basketball and has also excelled in track and field. On the hardwood, he was a First Team All-Conference selection as a junior and is currently completing his senior season. In track and field, he placed fifth in the discus throw in Wyoming last spring with a distance of 132’8”. Downs’ high school football coach was Ray Kumpula. He is the son of Sally and Brooke Downs. He was also recruited by Colorado State.
Toby Wood from Riverside has accepted an offer to walk-on at UW. Toby also received scholarship offers from Chadron State College, University of Sioux Falls, Carroll College, and Black Hills State University, but, he wants to be a Cowboy.
All total, Wyoming announced the signing of 25 recruits. Of the 25 signees, 14 are projected as offensive players for the Pokes, 10 on defense and one punter/place-kicker. Offensive linemen led all positions in number of signees with six recruits. On the defensive side of the ball, four secondary signees were the most at any position, but the defense was very balanced with three defensive linemen and three linebackers being signed.
The state of Colorado led the way with eight signees, followed by California and Illinois with three each and Arizona and Oklahoma with two signees. This year's recruiting class includes players from 12 different states.
