Jake Maikkula joined a growing tradition among elite high school offensive line recruits in Colorado.
Commit to playing football at Stanford.
“Itap definitely been a school I’ve been very interested in for a really long time,” Maikkula said. “Once I got out there and got on campus, I knew it was a place I strongly wanted to be.”
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Valor Christian offensive tackle pledged over the weekend to play his college football for the Cardinal. Maikkula — a three-star prospect () — chose Stanford over scholarship offers from the likes of California, CU, Duke, Nebraska and Virginia. Turning down the Buffs wasn’t easy.
“I definitely considered playing at home,” Maikkula said. “CU was my first offer. Itap the school I’ve had the longest relationship with. … Ultimately, it came down to Stanford because I felt it was the right fit for me.”
COMMITTED TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY!
— Jake Maikkula (@JakeMaikkula)
Maikkula is the third in-state offensive lineman to commit to Stanford since 2019 — along with Barrett Miller (Eaglecrest) and Drake Nugent (Highlands Ranch). Miller is now the team’s third-year starting left guard. Nugent is next season.
“Those are both great resources to have,” Maikkula said.
Stanford coach David Shaw clearly likes offensive line talent grown in Colorado. Itap become the state’s strongest position for consistently producing high-level football prospects. The OL pipeline to Palo Alto, Calif., has been open for years.
Colorado’s top-rated recruit in the Class of 2011, , signed with Stanford and appeared in 52 games over four seasons. Offensive guard also played for the Cardinal (2010-13).
“Itap great that Colorado guys are getting recruited to places like that,” Maikkula said. “Colorado has had really great o-linemen really throughout the course of the last decade. I’m very thankful to be a part of that. Stanford is an incredible place. When guys like me get that offer, itap definitely very intriguing.”
There is one more big-name offensive lineman left in the Class of 2023, three-star prospect Travis Gray (Cherokee Trail). The 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle is considering scholarship offers from Arizona, CU and Maryland. Gray plans to make his commitment Wednesday, .
