Pokes land commitment from Colo. receiver

Wyoming’s 2012 football recruiting class didn’t have a player from Colorado.

Its 2013 class does.

Tanner Gentry, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound receiver from Grandview High in Aurora, Colo., verbally committed to UW Tuesday. Gentry is the third verbal commitment to the Cowboys’ 2013 class.

Here is a link to some of Gentry’s junior highlights at Grandview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPRFPl5SzmU

Gentry caught 50 passes for 693 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a junior, and was among the state leaders as a safety with 10 interceptions. He is projected to play receiver at UW. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Gregg Brandon was the primary recruiter of Gentry, and for UW in Colorado.

I really like the fact UW got a verbal commitment from a Colorado prospect this early, especially one as talented as Gentry. Colorado needs to be a good recruiting area for the Cowboys, and this get shouldn’t hurt that cause. What do you think about that, folks?

“They offered me pretty early, so that showed a lot,” said Gentry during a phone interview Tuesday night. “Also, I really like coach Brandon as an offensive coordinator and (Derek Sage) is an awesome receivers coach. I just felt like I’d really like to play for them. I also really liked (head) coach (Dave) Christensen.”

Gentry also said UW’s spread offense was “perfect for him” because of how much it throws the ball.

Gentry said UW was the first to offer him a scholarship, but also had an offer from Air Force. He also said Arizona State and Colorado “were close to offering him.” Gentry was at a camp at Arizona State the same day UW held its one-day high school camp in Laramie on June 10. Gentry attended a spring football practice in Laramie this spring and liked what he saw.

Rivals.com lists Gentry as the 15th-best recruit in Colorado. Rivals and Scout.com rank him as a two-star prospect out of five. Gentry has 4.58-second speed in the 40-yard dash.

“It felt like something I should do, and it felt right,” said Gentry of committing to UW early. “I just felt like they really wanted me. Some other schools were like we like you and this and that, but Wyoming kept calling me and telling me how much they wanted me to play for them.”

Gentry joins linebacker Ryan Anaya (6-3, 248) from Casper Natrona County High, who committed to UW Monday night, and offensive lineman Fabian Holler (6-4, 285) from Roesrath, Germany, as those who have told UW they will play for them in 2013.

Blake

I think he has a great frame and ball skills needed for a defensive back. Solid pick up
- rgagliardi
  
  Wyoming recruited him to play receiver but he does have great DB skills.
  
  RG
Steve

Rg,
This is a little off subject but wanted to share something I recieved from TB…
He just emailed me back and looks like we are set for at least 7 games on regional / national TV.
This is a little better than what I first thought we would get and he said he was still working on addtional coverage…however BB is not looking very good at this point.. FYI
- rgagliardi
  
  Knew they were working on some regional games for football. If Wyoming gets seven it will be fortunate.
  
  RG
RCO3

Sure would be nice to get the times for the games, so one could make plans to attend….have dogs that would need to be kenneled if they are night games.
- rgagliardi
  
  We all would like to get those times. Should be coming soon.
  
  RG
  - Sammy Phillips
    
    Robert,
    
    Can we get some information on possible televised games hitting other markets, if any. I’m in Big 10 country, and any light you could shed to possibly upgrade my Satellite package would be really helpful.
    - rgagliardi
      
      When I get that information I will pass it on. Nothing has come out on that yet. Hearing upwards of seven games could be televised regionally in some form. As for upgrading your satellite package, if you have Root sports in your bundle that is good. Would hate to advise much beyond that at this point.
      
      RG
Josh

Any thoughts on the latest about BSU and them holding off on telling the MWC they are leaving?

I look around the landscape of the MWC, and overall I see it as a growing conference. I think Utah, BYU, and TCU leaving has actually opened some doors (or at least some minds). I think the administrations of the remaining Universities probably thought to themselves, “Hey, why can’t we be the next BCS busters now that the upper tier of the MWC is gone. There is no reason why we can’t up our game and rise to the top.” From UW, to CSU, to Fresno, and even UNM I am seeing some big improvements in coaching, the ability to fund, and the general overall support of donors and alumni.

While it is unlikely BSU will stay (and therefore SDSU goes as well), the decision is certainly not as cut and dried as before. If BSU stays then I think there is a decent chance for the 2 year AQ to be given to the MWC. That means more $ in the conference coffers and access to the national stage. I really do think the long term success of BSU would be enhanced by staying in the MWC. I look at the mess that is the BE, and the constant fighting between the football and bball schools, plus the lower percentage Boise will get for just being football… I hope they stay, but when I look around at the state of the conference, I think our schools and conference will still be successful once these schools step up and fill the void left by Utah, BYU, TCU, and BSU.
- rgagliardi
  
  I think Boise is waiting to see what happens with this national meeting tomorrow on the proposed four-team playoff. But more than anything I think it is because they can’t find a place for their other teams, or are finalizing that. I still.expect Boise to go but just to use the time they have to sign.
  
  RG