The University of Colorado football team adds 20 recruits to become future Buffaloes.
Head Coach Mike MacIntyre received recruits from four states: California, Colorado, Texas and Washington. From California 13, three from Colo., three from Texas and one from Washington.
Coach MacIntyre feels like he has some overall great athletes, something that was greatly needed.
Newly hired head football coach Mike MacIntyre speaks at a press conference for signing day Wednesday. The Buffs got 20 recruits from four states. (Nate Bruzdzinski/CU Independent)
“I feel like the defensive ends that we signed are tall and athletic,” MacIntyre said. “You have got to get those types of players with the speed. I feel like we found those at linebackers and defensive end.”
The four linebackers coming to Colorado are: Kenneth Olugbode, Addison Gilliam, Markeis Reed and Ryan Severson. Coach MacIntyre says that having fast, athletic linebackers was one thing that they were looking for in their search for recruits this year.
“I feel like at the line-backing core, four of them can really run,” he said. “One of them is really big and athletic and we needed to get linebackers that could run in open space.”
MacIntyre also recruited a quarterback from Tacoma, Wash., Sefo Liufau. MacIntyre hopes to recruit a quarterback with each class, so that they can grow and develop with the program.
“Really excited about what [Sefo] brings to the table, 6 feet 4 inches, 215 pounds, can really run,” he said. “Hopefully will be a bell cow for this class and our program. “
As for who will be the starting quarterback, MacIntyre says it is still up for grabs.
“We will go through spring practice and see, but all the freshman will have a chance to compete for a playing position,” he said. “I feel like [Sefo] has the talent, we will just see if he can handle with all the college things thrown at you.”
Of the 20 incoming freshman, 11 are offensive players and nine defensive. Colorado will also have 63 returning lettermen, 29 offense, 30 defense and 4 specialists.
MacIntyre signed three native Colorado players: Timothy Coleman, Jr. from Mullen High School, Phillip Lindsay from Denver South High School and John Lisella II from Columbine High School. He says that he hopes to have more than three in the upcoming years.
“I would love for that number to increase,” he said. “We tried to get on some other ones and the door was shut. I tried all the way until this morning on a couple of them. We have been to 52 high schools in Colorado since I have got here and have already offered 5 junior spots, and we are going to offer some more.”
This spring, Coach MacIntyre not only had to convince the new recruits to become a part of Colorado football, but he had to also convince past Colorado players to return.
“They kind of had to commit twice,” he said. “All of you guys that got married, if you had to ask your wife twice to marry you, would she say yes the second time, I don’t know. And if she did, she is definitely committed. That is why I believe these men are very committed.”
MacIntyre says he feels confident about Colorado football. He says that 22 solid guys is his goal, and he feels as though he has almost got them.
“I’m excited about our future, I’m excited about this class, and I’m even more excited about being a Colorado Buffalo then I was the first day I took the job,” he said.
The Buffs will have their Spring Game on April 13 at 12 p.m. and regular season begins Aug. 31.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jillian Arja at Jillian.Arja@colorado.edu.
