Post preps editor Neil H. Devlin sat down with six of the top football recruits in Colorado to get their thoughts on the recruiting process, which culminates today when they sign letters of intent.
The pipeline is being built piece by piece, player by player.
Throughout the Rocky Mountains, the feeling is the Buffaloes are coming on strong. Curtis Cunningham wanted to be on board. It’s as if the Columbine defensive tackle got a stock tip and broke his piggy bank to buy as much as he could.
“I chose CU because I like what Coach (Dan) Hawkins is instilling in his players,” the 6-foot-2, 270-pounder said. “I’m going up there at the right time. We have great players going up (to Boulder) and it’s a great time to be there.”
Built like a Rock’em Sock’em Robot, Cunningham may lack the 6-5-and-up height today’s recruiters covet, but his motor could pull a tractor trailer. This is a teenager who bench-pressed 185 pounds 40 times in a row — before he played a down as a senior.
“They told me to come in in shape and ready to battle as a defensive lineman,” he said. “They could move me inside or outside. For me, any way to get on the field.”
A Buffaloes brotherhood of sorts is developing. Former Columbine star lineman Ryan Miller completed his freshman season at CU as a starter. And Cunningham will be joined at camp by Mullen tackle Bryce Givens and Ponderosa linebacker Jon Major.
“They’re some good guys,” Cunningham said. “I’ve already started to hang out with them a little bit.”
CURTIS CUNNINGHAM
Will sign with: Colorado
Offers left on the table: Air Force, Arizona State, CSU, Kansas, San Diego State, Stanford, Utah, Washington State and Wyoming
All-star credentials: Two-time defensive player of the year and All-Colorado (The Denver Post); played in Under Armour Bowl
Did you know? Despite his size, Cunningham has soft hands and plays an outstanding first base for Columbine. He has won Colorado Class 5A titles in both sports.
