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.
What’s wrong with staying home or changing your mind?
Nothing, according to Bryce Givens, the Mullen offensive tackle who probably had the most interesting recruiting odyssey for locals.
Last spring, Givens pledged to Nebraska. But the Cornhuskers struggled, coach Bill Callahan was fired at season’s end and Givens reassessed where he wanted to play. It came down to Colorado and Texas, and the homegrown product chose the Buffaloes.
“I’ve been living in Colorado my entire life,” Givens said. “The whole thing with Nebraska fell through, and I wanted to stay close so my family could see me the next four or five years.”
It also didn’t hurt that Givens’ coach at Mullen, Dave Logan, was a CU All-American in 1975.
“A lot of those factors made me choose (the Buffs),” the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder said.
Givens said he also relishes the opportunity to join other local CU pledges, such as lineman Curtis Cunningham (Columbine) and linebacker Jon Major (Ponderosa).
“I think we have a program coming on nicely,” he said.
BRYCE GIVENS
Will sign with: Colorado
Offers left on the table: Florida, Louisville, Michigan, Stanford, Texas, UCLA, Nebraska
All-star credentials: All-Colorado (The Denver Post), U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Did you know? His father, Brian, was a standout pitcher at Overland and played 11 seasons in the minor leagues before becoming a major-league rookie at age 29.
