Dan Hawkins’ local telephone calls are becoming more frequent and productive.
On Wednesday night, the second-year University of Colorado football coach received one from Columbine High School’s Curtis Cunningham, The Denver Post 2006 defensive player of the year. The 6-foot-2, 270- pound lineman gave Hawkins a verbal commitment for 2008.
“I wanted to do it before the season and it’s the best thing for me,” Cunningham said. “I wanted to be a Buff.”
Having also taken long looks at other major programs, including Stanford, Cunningham, who has a 3.5 grade-point average, will be reunited with former Rebels teammate Ryan Miller, who is bidding for CU playing time at offensive tackle as a freshman.
Staying local wasn’t necessarily a factor, Cunningham, said, just a bonus. Plus, Hawkins already has grown on him.
“He sold me on his personality,” Cunningham said. “He’s an upbeat guy, very energetic.”
