Five things to know about Colorado TE Louis Passarello
When I recently ranked the top players on Colorado’s current roster, I mentioned that there was still a chance that a late addition could blow up my rankings.
If we look at the players who were in Boulder pre-Deion Sanders, Louis Passarello has a great opportunity to make my ranking look silly. Passarello has not seen much playing time in Colorado since signing in 2020, but he impressed this spring and earned the starting nod at tight end for the first-team offense during the spring game. He also impressed coaches enough to earn his jersey number.
Here are five things you need to know about Passarello:
Has a fraternal twin
While doing my research on Passarello, I found out he has a fraternal twin, Joey. The two played together at Palo Alto High School with Louis Passarello starting at both TE and defensive end. During one game, he recorded a sack and caused a fumble that Joey Passarello was able to recover. Having a brother myself, this memory is likely one that both Passarello brothers hold dear. (h/t Palo Alto Online)
“It’s an awesome feeling all that work we put in this past week paid off,” Louis Passarello said of that game. “I didn’t even know my brother recovered the ball until after the game. No matter who recovered it, it’s a good play for my team. Of course, he’s my brother, my best friend for the past 18 years.”
“We got each other’s back all the time,” Joey said. “I always knows he has my back and I have his.”
Three-star California prospect
Passarello came to Colorado during the 2020 recruiting cycle from Stanford’s backyard in Palo Alto, California. Although he wasn’t a highly-ranked recruit in that class, fetching a three-star rating, Passarello was considered to be a great blocking option at tight end. 247Sports recruiting editor Brandon Huffman even projected him to be a starting option at the Power Five level:
Traditional in-line tight end who’s strength is as a blocker but is flourishing as a passing threat in the vertical game. Does a good job against linebackers at the second level and against defensive ends, with the athleticism and footwork to handle their speed while also using his strength against linebackers. Improving in pass catching and being a more consistent route runner. Projects as multi-year Power 5 starter and projects as third-day pick or undrafted free agent.
After a slow start to his career, impressed this spring
Passarello has not logged any traditional stats thus far at Colorado, taking a redshirt during his first season at CU while being in the log jam at the position behind Brady Russell. But that all changed this spring. As we noted above, Passarello was one of the Buffaloes who earned his jersey number from tight ends coach Tim Brewster.
Could play a big role in Colorado's offense
Given the scouting report on him coming out of high school, it would be an easy guess that Passarello’s run-blocking strength has led to him getting the first crack at replacing Russell but don’t sleep on his ability to catch the ball either. In last year’s Jackson State offense, for example, Coach Prime’s team allowed senior TE DJ Stevens to haul in 37 catches for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
Given CU’s history at the position, expect Passarello to see quite a few targets in offensive coordinator Sean Lewis’ up-tempo attack. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound TE is built in the mold of Joe Klopfenstein and could be a valuable option in both the rushing and passing game.
Loyal to Colorado
Passarello came to Colorado as part of Mel Tucker’s lone recruiting class for the Buffs and is only a redshirt sophomore. He has been through three different coaching staffs at CU and unless the Buffs add another talented transfer tight end, it seems that his patience will be rewarded.
Further reading
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