Colorado State received a verbal commitment from one of the top offensive linemen in the state of Oklahoma Monday in Brian Lepak (6’5”/275 lb) from Claremore High School in northeast Oklahoma.

Lepak played both ways for Claremore, and is nimble for his size, running a 5.1 forty-yard dash. Showing just how fleet-footed he is, as a defensive tackle during a regular-season game this year, he returned a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown, and later, in the first round of the 5A state playoffs, picked off a pass and rumbled 55 yards for a touchdown. His forte, however, is on the other side of the ball. As a sophomore, Lepak started every game, anchoring an offensive front that paved the way for 3,372 yards and 41 touchdowns. The Claremore Daily Progress named Lepak Rookie of the Year that season, calling him “one of the top lineman in District 5A-4 as a sophomore”. He missed the entire junior season with an injury, but made up for lost time with strong senior year. He was named 5A first-team All-State by the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association and first-team All-State by OkPrepExtra.com. He was also selected to play in this July’s Oklahoma All-Star game.

Lepak visited CSU the weekend of December 16, and also took visits to TCU and Tulsa, both of whom offered him a scholarship. He also talked to Texas Tech about grayshirting, and was given a hard look by Oklahoma. He probably would have received an offer from the Sooners and certainly and would have garnered more interest from other schools had he not missed his junior season.

“I broke my arm and didn’t play my junior year,” Lepak said. “That’s probably why no one knew who I was.”

The injury was serious. He broke his humorous bone in three pieces, snapping it in half above the elbow. He was told it would take six months to get back and he returned in five and a half. He said his arm is fine now, as evidenced by him starting every game during his senior season.

It didn’t take long for CSU coaches to start recruiting Lepak after seeing his senior game film.

“I guess they got a copy of my tape and immediately offered me,” he said.

Lepak, who is a two-star prospect according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com, is a versatile prospect who could play any position along the line, but he believes he may get his first look at center. He has played both center and tackle. On film, Lepak showed solid movement, often asked to pull and trap from his center spot.

It appeared for a while he was leaning towards Tulsa, saying the Golden Hurricane have a “a great coaching staff” and the fact that the campus is only 30 minutes from Lepak’s home. Following his three visits in December, Lepak took some time to make his decision, but was impressed enough with his visit to Fort Collins that he decided on CSU. He was hosted by fellow Oklahoman and Ram defensive lineman Blake Smith.

“It was great -- I loved it,” Lepak said of his experience. “I have a lot of respect for the coaching staff and I enjoyed meeting with Sonny Lubick.”

Lepak is leaning towards majoring in finance, but realizes that may change.

“You never know, I might find a passion for something else.”

Lepak’s commitment was one of three to become known Tuesday. Ryan Griffith (Los Osos High School, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), a 6-3, 240 offensive lineman, committed to the Rams over Utah and San Diego State, while DeAngelo Wilkinson (5-9, 160), a cornerback from Bishop Gorman H.S. in Las Vegas, Nev. picked the Rams after once having scholarship offers from Wisconsin and San Jose State. (Stay tuned for more information on both of these athletes.) The three latest commitments bring the known scholarship count to 19. CSU head coach Sonny Lubick said the Rams would sign “around 20” players in the 2006 class.