Buff Bites: Colorado recruiting is heating up before early signing day

Phillip Lindsay takes home MVP honors, the Buffs receive commitments from three junior college studs, and Rashaan Salaam’s 1994 Heisman Trophy to be auctioned online.

This week’s Buffs Bites is jam-packed.

BUFFS MEN’S HOOPS UPDATE

The Colorado Buffaloes (7-3, 4-1 home) men’s basketball team fell to the San Diego Toreros 69-59 at Coors Events Center Tuesday night. After beginning the season 6-0, Tad Boyle’s boys have now lost three of their last four games. The Buffs will try to get back in the win column when they host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits Friday. Game time is set for 6 p.m MT and can be seen on Pac-12 Networks.

PHILLIP LINDSAY NAMED MVP

Congrats to senior running back Phillip Lindsay who was named Colorado Football’s Most Valuable Player Sunday afternoon at the team’s annual senior banquet. Here’s a great read from my colleague Jack Barsch on the 2017 Buffalo Heart Award winner, a tale you’ll be able to tell your kids someday.

AFOLABI LAGUDA ACCEPTS INVITE TO EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME

Joining Lindsay and wide receiver Bryce Bobo in January’s East-West Shrine Game will be a member of CU’s secondary, safety Afolabi Laguda. This year’s East-West Shrine game will take place on January 20^th from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Game time has been set for 1 p.m. MT and can be seen on NFL Network.

ON THE TRAIL: COLORADO FOOTBALL RECRUITING ON FIRE

6’1, 190-pound safety Aaron Maddox, a junior college transfer from Pima Community College (Tucson, AZ), could have an immediate impact in the Buffs secondary. The Buffs also received commitments from tight end Darrion Jones and 6’5, 270-pound offensive tackle Josh McMullen. In addition to the three junior college transfers, the Buffs added their first 2019 commitment, in-state running back Joshia Davis. Also, just a friendly reminder that college football’s first-ever early signing period begins next week. Here’s a good read from SBNation’s National Recruiting Director Bud Elliott regarding the overall strategy coaches are employing for this early signing period.

CLASS OF 2016 RECRUIT TO TRANSFER

After two seasons in Boulder, wide receiver Johnny Huntley announced his intentions to transfer Monday via twitter. The highly recruited wideout from Fort Lauderdale, Florida originally signed with the Buffs in 2016 and has yet to decide which school he will transfer to.

JAMES STEFANOU NAMED TO FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM

30-year old freshman kicker James Stefanou was named to ESPN’s Freshman All-America team compiled by ESPN staff writer David Hale. A semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, the Melbourne, Australia native connected on 17 of 22 field goal attempts and did not miss an extra point for the Buffs this season.

RASHAAN SALAAM’S HEISMAN TROPHY TO BE AUCTIONED

Rashaan Salaam’s 1994 original Heisman Trophy is to be auctioned online with a portion of the proceeds going to CTE research. Salaam, who reportedly suffered from depression, tragically took his own life last December. Bidding for his Heisman Trophy begins Monday, January 8^th at SCPAuctions.com and will conclude on Saturday, January 20^th.

NATE SOLDER NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS HONOR

Former CU offensive lineman and current New England Patriots left tackle Nate Solder is one of 32 players to be nominated as finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award is presented each year to a player who demonstrates excellence on and off the field.

For the remainder of the NFL season all 32 nominees will wear a helmet decal to recognize their accomplishments. The winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award will be announced February 3^rd, the eve of Super Bowl LII, during a two-hour awards special on NBC.