FanHouse Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes are entering their second spring under Dan Hawkins with an improved attitude and a better understanding of expectations. Clearly becoming more familiar with the coaching staff and its system can go a long ways toward developing team chemistry, but what about memories of a dreadful 2006?

"I don't care who you are, 2-10 will wake you up," [defensive tackle George] Hypolite said. "Failure will wake any man up - and if you react to it correctly, it will bring you closer together."

So, CU fans can take solace in knowing that if nothing else, the players are at least bonding over the last season's double-digit losses. The team has also reportedly rededicated themselves to off-season workouts and some are actually staying after practice for extra work. Additionally this spring finds the Buffaloes working hard to develop trust with teammates in the name of chemistry. Coach Hawkins already sees a difference:

"You're starting to see these guys get steely-eyed. It's that merger, that marriage of souls."

With the off-season workouts now behind them, the Buffs will be looking to bounce back in 2007. Tight end Tyson DeVree thinks the key ingredient to making that happen might be shared humility:

"What we realized is actually pretty simple: No matter how much all the running and stuff hurt, it hurts more to lose. We're not going to go through that again."

Unless, that is, you fail to find a quarterback or guys on defense to replace Thaddaeus Washington and Abraham Wright.

Per the request of our fine editors at AOL corporate, us NCAA Football types at the FanHouse were asked to list 2007 "impact recruits". Seeing as how National Letter of Intent Day (aka Signing Day) is tomorrow, this request is timely.

What defines impact? A John Madden-like BOOM ? Nahhh.

The instructions from our bosses are intentionally vague which I like. So what follows are the first five of ten impact recruits. My main criteria is to name players people will be talking about. So while some recruits may be better or more interesting, these are ten guys who will get noticed.

• John Chiles, Athlete (Texas) - Chiles played quarterback, running back ... pretty much everything in high school. He's fast, has ball skills and makes plays. Colt McCoy probably has the quarterback position locked down for a few years so look for the Texas staff to creatively find ways to get the ball in his hands. Video.

• Chris Galippo, Linebacker (USC) - Galippo was last seen making somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 tackles at the US Army High School All America game in January. He's already college size (6'-3"/235 pounds) with speed and the ability to play inside, outside or even defensive end. Oozes leadership as he doggedly helped recruit several future teammates. Video.

• Ryan Miller, Offensive Tackle (Colorado) - Had offers from literally everyone of significance, but chose the hometown Buffaloes. Should be able to make an Andre Smith-like impact on an otherwise modestly talented Colorado line.

• Terrance Toliver, Wide Receiver (LSU or Florida) - Toliver is expected to be the next great "big and athletic" receiver in the mold of Dwayne Jarrett and Charles Rogers. Runs fast, has a big body, can make plays in the air, he can do a lot of things and should have a fantastic college career. Video.

• Willy Korn, Quarterback (Clemson) - Korn saw his stock drop a bit over the course of the fall but he's got a chance to start next year for Clemson. Korn can scramble as well as throw the ball. With Clemson's tremendous backfield his burden will be lightened. Could be leading one of the country's best offenses from the word go. People will definitely be talking about him if he wins the job and plays well early. Video.

Coming up: Impact National Recruits Part II

Going in to this weekend's match-up between Arizona State and Colorado, one coach is 2-0 this season and the other is 0-2, despite playing a Division 1-AA team to start the season. But the difference in their records isn't the only thing separating Arizona State's Dirk Koetter and the Buffaloes' Dan Hawkins.

Although the two coaches' careers have intertwined, they couldn't be more different, writes the Arizona Republic, " Dirk Koetter is a CEO type, like Donald Trump. Dan Hawkins is a philosopher masquerading as a coach, like Phil Jackson."

But as the past few Lakers' seasons have proven it takes more than Zen to win games...