Derby (Kans.) offensive guard Cole Hansen made a trip across the rocky mountain west last month in an attempt to get a look at college campuses in Fort Collins (Colo.) and Laramie (Wyo.). The result was a fresh perspective of two Mountain West Conference schools.
Hansen helped his Derby High School Panthers to a 10-2 mark a year ago and an appearance in the state semifinals. Hansen was named All-League the last two seasons and First Team All-State in 2012. As a sophomore he was Second Team All-State, as well as All-Metro (Wichita) and All-League. Hansen has also shown proficiency in the weight room, with a squat max of 435 and holds the school record in the hang clean at 350 pounds.
"I think I do well on pass protection and just a straight up base and reach blocks," Hansen said.
Hansen's trip to Colorado and Wyoming last week gave him a look at Colorado State before spending nearly two days at the University of Wyoming. Friday afternoon in Laramie let Hansen see a Wyoming practice, the campus, as well as Laramie. Saturday offered more time for an academic tour and the chance to see the Cowboys in action.
"I really liked the town itself," Hansen said. "I liked the population size, the people there were extremely nice and they set me up with an academic tour. I really enjoyed that I thought they had a lot to offer me for what I want to do in my future."
Hansen said he was able to get some time with the Wyoming coaches to get an idea for what their recruiting schedule looks like. He said he also got an idea for where he stands with the Cowboys.
"They (Wyoming coaches) said they really, really liked my size and strength and how I play," Hansen said. "(Wyoming OC Jim) Harding said he really likes to see Senior film for everyone. They don't offer out-of-state guys scholarships (excluding Colorado guys) early. They said I am on their board and I am one of three guys they are looking at."
Hansen said he was impressed with the visit and has Wyoming on his shortlist.
"I really want to be in the mountains," Hansen said. "That is where we go to get away and that is what I enjoy. I want to be around a team that has the same morals and respects that I have. I want to be able to join together as a family. You can feel the closeness of the team and the town in Wyoming and I like the location a lot. They are one of my top choices right now. I really liked that school."
Hansen said he plans to camp at Brigham Young, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska and Tulsa. He has already visited South Dakota, South Dakota State, Kansas and Kansas State.
"I talk a lot to BYU, Wyoming and KU," Hansen said. "BYU and KU both said to come out to the camps and Wyoming and BYU sound like they are very interested and that they want to keep a close eye on me. BYU is another school that has caught my eye. I like the location a lot in the mountains and what they have to offer. I really like the idea of KU or K-State because that is where I was born and raised. It is almost like you have that desire."
Cole Hansen
Hansen helped his Derby High School Panthers to a 10-2 mark a year ago and an appearance in the state semifinals. Hansen was named All-League the last two seasons and First Team All-State in 2012. As a sophomore he was Second Team All-State, as well as All-Metro (Wichita) and All-League. Hansen has also shown proficiency in the weight room, with a squat max of 435 and holds the school record in the hang clean at 350 pounds.
"I think I do well on pass protection and just a straight up base and reach blocks," Hansen said.
Hansen's trip to Colorado and Wyoming last week gave him a look at Colorado State before spending nearly two days at the University of Wyoming. Friday afternoon in Laramie let Hansen see a Wyoming practice, the campus, as well as Laramie. Saturday offered more time for an academic tour and the chance to see the Cowboys in action.
"I really liked the town itself," Hansen said. "I liked the population size, the people there were extremely nice and they set me up with an academic tour. I really enjoyed that I thought they had a lot to offer me for what I want to do in my future."
Hansen said he was able to get some time with the Wyoming coaches to get an idea for what their recruiting schedule looks like. He said he also got an idea for where he stands with the Cowboys.
"They (Wyoming coaches) said they really, really liked my size and strength and how I play," Hansen said. "(Wyoming OC Jim) Harding said he really likes to see Senior film for everyone. They don't offer out-of-state guys scholarships (excluding Colorado guys) early. They said I am on their board and I am one of three guys they are looking at."
Hansen said he was impressed with the visit and has Wyoming on his shortlist.
"I really want to be in the mountains," Hansen said. "That is where we go to get away and that is what I enjoy. I want to be around a team that has the same morals and respects that I have. I want to be able to join together as a family. You can feel the closeness of the team and the town in Wyoming and I like the location a lot. They are one of my top choices right now. I really liked that school."
Hansen said he plans to camp at Brigham Young, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska and Tulsa. He has already visited South Dakota, South Dakota State, Kansas and Kansas State.
"I talk a lot to BYU, Wyoming and KU," Hansen said. "BYU and KU both said to come out to the camps and Wyoming and BYU sound like they are very interested and that they want to keep a close eye on me. BYU is another school that has caught my eye. I like the location a lot in the mountains and what they have to offer. I really like the idea of KU or K-State because that is where I was born and raised. It is almost like you have that desire."
Cole Hansen
