Give him a Chance

CATCO · Post by **CATCO** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:02 am

Here is a conversation with Dan Raunig, Linebacker in Colorado. I know MSU was his first choice, but now the 4th. I just hope our coaching staff can give him a look.

http://hscolorado.scout.com/

Big Game this weekend, can't wait!!!

crazycat · Post by **crazycat** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:10 am

Can you cut-n-paste that please. It has a registration fee of $60.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:31 am

crazycat wrote:Can you cut-n-paste that please. It has a registration fee of $60.

Mountain Vista's Dan Raunig By Jason Jewell
Southwest Recruiting Analyst
Posted Oct 24, 2006

Colorado Insider had a chance to chat with Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch, CO) linebacker Dan Raunig. See what he had to say about football, recruiting and his season thus far.

Colorado Insider: What are your stats season?

Dan: 48 solos (may be #1 in state 5A), 32 assists, 80 total, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 1 fumble recovery.

CI: What awards or honors have you received in your career?

Dan: 1st Team All-Conference – Sophomore 2004, 1st Team All-Conference – Junior 2005 and 2nd Team All-State – Junior 2005.

CI: What is your favorite thing about playing high school football?

Dan: Friday nights at the stadium and the competition of the game. Also the friendships and team aspect of football is very important to me. There is very little I don’t love about playing football.

CI: What is your official height and weight?

Dan: 5’ 9” 208 lbs.

CI: What is your greatest football memory?

Dan: Going undefeated and winning the Carnation Bowl (Denver City Championship) when I was 12 years old.

CI: What are your personal goals for the season?

Dan: My main goal is to lead my team to the 5A state championship game, and win it, in this our first year of 5A competition. My other goal is to play well enough this year to earn a college scholarship to play football.

CI: How did you prepare for this season?

Dan: I worked out in the weight room and cardio for the entire off season. I went out for track my junior year to assist with my off season work outs. Also, I attended football camps and combines the last two summers.

CI: Did you attend any camps or combines?

Dan: Yes, last summer I attended the Rocky Mountain Football Combine held at Colorado University in May and attended University of Northern Colorado football camp in June. I attended the football camp at Montana State University after my sophomore year.

CI: What aspect of your game have you really worked hard to improve?

Dan: Speed…I have improved my speed and quickness through my off-season workouts and doing varsity track last spring. I had some very good times in the pro-agility and the 3-cone at the Rocky Mountain Football Combine last summer.

CI: What area would you like to keep improving on?

Dan: Size, strength and speed.

CI: Who are some of your teammates that people need to watch out for?

Dan: I would hate to name names because all of my teammates are so important to our team success. I have been with many of my teammates since midget football and all through high school.

CI: What are your goals regarding playing football in college?

Dan: I plan on pursuing my dream of playing college football because I truly love the game. Football has been such an important part of my life since I was 9 years old and it teaches so many important lessons. It teaches discipline, hard work, team work, toughness and adversity.

CI: Who is currently recruiting you?

Dan: University of Northern Colorado, Carroll College (Helena, Montana – NAIA National Champs) and Drake University.

CI: Do you have any offers yet?

Dan: No.

CI: Who are your top 5?

Dan: 1. Colorado State University, 2. University of Northern Colorado, 3. Carroll College (Montana), 4. Montana State University and 5. University of Montana.

CI: Would you consider staying in state to play in college?

Dan: Yes, it would be awesome to stay in Colorado but I would not want to limit myself to only in-state opportunities.

CI: Who is the best player you ever played against? Why?

Dan: Kyle Black, QB Thunderidge 2005. He was such a tough competitor on the field, a champion, and still he was humble on and off the field. That is something I respect very much. Someday, I hope to thank him personally for being a good example to other kids who played with and against him.

CI: What other sports do you play?

Dan: 4 year varsity letterman football, 2 year varsity letterman wrestling and 2 year varsity letterman track.

CI: What are your best max lifts in the bench, squat, power clean and 40 yard dash?

Dan: Bench – 340 lbs., Squat – 580 lbs., Hang clean – 255 lbs. and 40 – 4.88. I am one of four student athletes to attain the “1000 Pound Club”* in Mountain Vista High School history (6 years). The “1000 Pound Club” is achieved by lifting over 1000 lbs. combined on bench, squat and hang clean.

CI: How do you think your coach would describe you as a player?

Dan: A fierce competitor, dedicated, team player and a team leader.

CI: Who is your favorite pro athlete and why?

Dan: Al Wilson, LB – Denver Broncos, a bit undersized but dominates on the field.

CI: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Dan: Enjoy and appreciate your senior year in high school and playing football, as it is one of the best times of your life and it goes by so fast.

CI: Who did you receive it from?

Dan: My father and my football coach (Ric Cash) both have given me advice along these lines.

The staff at Colorado Insider would like to thank Dan for his time and wish him luck during the remainder of the

College Recruiter · Post by **College Recruiter** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:06 am

Adam Munsterteiger
ColoradoPrepReport.com Publisher

Talk about it in the Message Boards
Arapahoe, Grandview, Horizon, Legacy and Smokey Hill all had their varsity teams at the University of Northern Colorado's first annual team football camp last week.

Dan Raunig was one of the top performers at UNC's team camp.
Dan Raunig, from Mountain Vista High, was another camper in attendance. He joined a "Renegade Team" which was comprised of players from a number of different states including Texas, Nebraska and Colorado.

At the end of the three and a half day full contact camp, Northern Colorado assistant coach and camp director Darrell Perkins presented Raunig with "special merit recognition" for exemplifying excellence with his "outstanding play, work ethic and attitude".

"It was a real honor to be recognized by the coaching staff of UNC with such quality players on my team and with over 350 players there," Raunig stated. "It just capped off an awesome camp to be recognized like that."

Raunig's success at the camp would surprise few who have seen him play the last two seasons. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., standout has racked up 208 tackles in 20 games. He has twice earned first-team all-league honors and was also named second-team all-state as a junior in 2005.

"I have a knack for knowing where the ball is going to be," expressed the 5-foot-9, 196-pound linebacker. "I have good field awareness and good lateral speed."

Carroll College of Montana, Northern Colorado, Wyoming and Montana are some of the programs that have shown early interest in Raunig.

"I'd love to go to Montana State," he said. "My parents attended MSU, my cousin (Nick Morasko) played football there and both my grandparents still live in Montana. I also love Montana and want to live there after college.

"It would also be a great opportunity to go to UNC or maybe Carroll College because I have a lot of family that goes there."

Raunig recently tested out with a 315 pound bench max and a 585 pound squat max. In the classroom, he currently carries a 3.3 GPA and he received a qualifying score on the ACT.

College Recruiter · Post by **College Recruiter** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:09 am

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:14 am

Why are we not pursung this kid heavily? He appears to be the real deal and he wants to come to be a Bobcat!! Can anyone find out if we intend to pursue this him?

Cat in NC · Post by **Cat in NC** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:59 pm

We'd better intend on pursuing him. Sounds like he's just there for the taking. A little disconcerting that MSU is now listed as his fourth choice. The kid sounds like a real gamer and a great competitor. A bit undersized, but every bit big enough to cause some havoc. Give me a true hard-nosed football player over someone with 4.4 speed, flashy stats and no guts any day.

And no, this is not a paid advertisement. I just want the kid to get a solid look.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:00 am

I agree there is a disconnect here. He may be a little undersized but he appears to be one of those kids that just excels. Looks like Northern Co. likes him a lot. Plus he wants to be a Bobcat! Are we interested and pursuing him?

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:15 am

Is this one of those deals where the coaching staff knows of this kids lineage and is expecting his desire to be a CAT overwhelm him and make him just walk-on? did that make sense?

Are we just expecting him to walk-on becasue we know he wants to be a CAT?

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:43 am

A) Do we know for certain the coaches are not talking to him? It does sound like some other schools are hotter after him, but that doesn't mean we're not.
B) Are we in need of linebackers with average to below average speed and size for the position? I don't think we have many scholarships available for next year. And, I don't really think that linebacker is going to be one of our highest need departments.

C) It is entirely possible that we may have some absolute animals who are rating higher then him on the recruiting charts.

I know nothing at all about whether the coaches are talking to this kid or not. But, judging by the level of talent we've been bringing in the last couple of years, I do trust them to make the correct decision.

Finally, this kid could be one of those walk on possibilities. The other schools he is listing could make it a reality. I really don't see CSU giving him a schollie. Who would really want to go and play at Northern CO at this time with all of the issues going on there? Finally, he may have to decide between trying to play for a quality D-I program or going to NAIA (no matter how much I respect and admire Carroll). Ultimately, based upon the schools he's listing, he could come here as a walk on if some of the other things I've mentioned are true.

bobcatbob · Post by **bobcatbob** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:14 am

Excellent points Barechestcat. Might be a good question for Coach Kramer at the Coaches Corner next week. Seems like his attitude is the typethat makes up for being a little undersized.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:15 am

I do like the attitude that comes across as well as his commitment to improving himself/work ethic.

CATCO · Post by **CATCO** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:25 pm

I do know that he has sent a letter to MSU and has shown interest, but has not recieved any response from the staff. Is there a rule that regulates when you can and can't contact a player. I would assume not, because I think he has received responses from other schools...including the Griz?!?

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:32 pm

He sounds like a guy who has the desire to be a Bobcat and should be a Bobcat. Raunig seems like a quality person, good student, and he wants to attend MSU. That should be worth a scholarship alone. He seems like an excellent football player and there is always a place for a good linebacker. Get this kid in a Bobcat uniform!

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:44 pm

I don't know.

A 5'9", 208 LB without blazing speed doesn't wow me for a Division 1 athlete. Clearly he's a great kid with an incredible work ethic, but I can see why most 1-AA schools aren't knocking down his door.

If he wants to still be top dog, Carroll or something similar would be a great choice. And don't get me wrong. I'd love that sort of attitude on any team. But at the expense of a scholarship? A tough call IMO.

DCC2MSU · Post by **DCC2MSU** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:56 pm

bobcatbob wrote:Why are we not pursung this kid heavily? He appears to be the real deal and he wants to come to be a Bobcat!! Can anyone find out if we intend to pursue this him?

Maybe the program got a sour taste from his cousin walking on and only starting for 4 years. You should be able to get a lot more out of a walk-on that was too small to play line and too slow to play linebacker out of high school. Just messing with you Nick, but it is hard to defend you on the slow part with your breakaway speed. I believe he was also recruited very heavily by UNC when the griz coach was there.

bcats · Post by **bcats** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:30 pm

This kid maybe be undersized and lack blazing speed but if he is anything like his cousin the Cats should get all over this kid. Nick Morasko was a walk-on 4 year starter who also set an example in the classroom. There haven't been enough players like him. I also know Nick well enough that if he didn't think his cousin wasn't good enough to play he wouldn't endorse him. He wants to come here and is good enough to play you shouldn't loose these players. I hate the theory that if he is going to come here anyway then why give them money. These kids are student athletes who deserve every dime of scholarship money they get. They earn it. By the way Holte I think Nick could have run down you any day of the week. Mack might have had the speed in that house.

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:09 am

Recruiting also comes down to what needs/postions/schollies that are available. In other words, timing is everything.

I don't know - just speculating.

CATCO · Post by **CATCO** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:27 am

I just want to make this clear. I am not trying to get my cousin a scholarship, I just want MSU to show some interest (which the haven’t) in a kid that clearly wants to come here, and is a standout player in Colorado’s top class. I am sure there are better players out there (when is there not), and his size and speed may not be good enough for a IAA school. I know Dan will out work anyone on the team in practice and in the weight room, which Kramer loves. Just show some interest, ask him to walk on, give him a little money, but don’t ignore him.

College Recruiter · Post by **College Recruiter** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:10 pm

Raunig had 19 tackles (14 solos) in last weekends game, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery, and 1 TD as fullback. His team won their conference championship with win last week.

Media in Denver says Raunig is best LB in Colorado.

Does MSU want him?