Unable to get on the field last fall after transferring high schools, Carlton Madden Jr. didn’t get a lot of attention on the recruiting trail — except from Colorado.
On Saturday, the outside linebacker from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Ga., became the second player from the class of 2022 to give his verbal commitment to CU.
“My interest in Colorado is high because of how much love they show me, the whole coaching staff,” Madden told BuffZone.com. “I also have an ex-teammate that’s there at Colorado (outside linebacker Alvin Williams). It’s a good fit for me.”
Madden, who is 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, received a scholarship offer from CU last fall. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, he has been unable to visit Boulder, but did a virtual visit with the Buffs’ coaching staff this week.
“With me not playing last year, my recruiting process did slow down, but Colorado, we have a good connection,” he said. “They felt confident in me enough to still keep recruiting me, even though I didn’t get enough film.”
As a sophomore at Arabia Mountain (Ga.) High School in 2019, Madden had 20 tackles, two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He then transferred to Cedar Grove last summer.
Ultimately, the Georgia High School Association ruled that Madden was an ineligible transfer. Before the GHSA ruling, he had to play on the junior varsity team and saw the field in just one game.
“(After the ruling), I couldn’t practice with the team or play varsity or play football, period,” he said. “I made the move for me setting myself up for a better chance to get scholarships. I’ll be good this year for my senior year.”
Several colleges, including Coastal Carolina, Florida, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh, have shown interest in Madden, but he said all of them wanting to see more film. Kent State gave him a scholarship offer in December.
CU coaches have liked what they’ve seen out of Madden, however, and he says they view him as a player who can provide some spark to the pass rush.
“(Defensive coordinator Chris Wilson) said they’re looking to build their defense around players like me, so I’m really excited to get in there,” Madden said.
Although he has been unable to see the school, Madden said and Williams have talked a few times about CU and the team.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March, the NCAA has extended the recruiting dead period eight times, including this past week. The most recent extension prevents official visits and in-person recruiting by coaches until at least June 1.
Most 2021 recruits signed without seeing the school or meeting coaches in person and 2022 recruits have yet to have that opportunity.
Madden said it’s really difficult to go through the process without the visits, but said, “I just have to keep a good relationship with the coaches and keep them checking in on me and me doing the same. (This week), we were on a Zoom call and they showed me around on a virtual visit.”
To this point, Madden has seen enough out of Colorado to join linebacker/safety Dylan Dixson (Pearland, Tex.) on CU’s commit list for 2022. Madden, who plans to graduate in December and enroll in college early, now hopes to have a strong senior year.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of work ever since last year, really before they said I couldn’t play,” he said. “But, everything is going to pay off this year, so I just can’t wait.”
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