They called themselves “Nine Deuce.” The recruiting class of 1992 was an embarrassment of riches. Colorado coach Bill McCartney’s list of freshmen included 20 high school All-Americans. Many were headed toward the NFL: Koy Detmer, Rae Carruth, Heath Irwin, Shannon Clavelle, Chris Naeole, Matt Russell.
And they all looked up to Rashaan Salaam.
“Everyone wanted to be like him,” Russell said.
Salaam — who learned the game playing eight-man football in San Diego before tearing through the college ranks to win the 1994 Heisman Trophy — was found dead Monday night in the parking lot of a Boulder public park.