Buff Bites: Preseason Pac-12 teams already being released

Past, present and future. Why Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has a former Buff to thank for a $353k bonus, eight current Buffs are selected to All-Pac-12 Preseason teams and a future Buffs signal caller earns a prestigious invitation, it’s all ahead in this Memorial Day edition of Buff Bites.

GREG BIEKERT’S BIG RESOLUTION

Former Buffs linebacker Greg Biekert may best be known as the player who recovered Tom Brady’s fumble which was later ruled an incomplete pass because of the Tuck rule in the Raiders/Patriots 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game. But as Domonique Foxworth recalls in this interesting article for ‘The Undefeated’, Biekert also proposed a Performance-Based Pay (PBP) resolution during the 2001-02 offseason which rewards NFL players each year who “outperform” their contracts.

EIGHT BUFFS SELECTED TO ALL-PAC-12 PRESEASON TEAMS

Athlon Sports recently released its All-Pac-12 Preseason teams for 2017. With a total of eight players selected, the defending Pac-12 South Champions ranked eighth in the conference. Despite finishing 4-8 last season, Oregon led all schools with 14 selections. Running Back Phillip Lindsay and wide receiver Shay Fields were the only Buffs to garner First Team honors.

BUFFS WIN TOTAL SET

Online sportsbook SportsInsights has set the Buffs over/under win total at 7.5, tied for 5^th among Pac-12 teams with Washington State. Personally I’m taking the OVER.

BUFF COMMIT RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS INVITATION

Class of 2018 quarterback Blake Stenstrom verbally committed to Colorado in December 2016. Last Monday, the Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, CO) star was one of 25 quarterbacks selected to the prestigious Elite 11 finals.

Founded in 1999, the Elite 11 is the nation’s premier quarterback competition for high school signal callers. Notable alumni include the last three quarterbacks selected number one overall in the NFL Draft: Jared Goff, Jameis Winston and Andrew Luck. To give more perspective, 10 of the past 11 quarterbacks to have won the Heisman Trophy attended the Elite 11 Finals or an Elite 11 Regional (per elite11.com). The finals will be held in Los Angeles June 2-4, when the Elite 11 will be crowned.

CU GOLFER QUALIFIES FOR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN

CU’s Robyn Choi, a native of Queensland, Australia, carded a 5-under par 139 at Riverdale Dunes Golf Course (Brighton, CO) to qualify for the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open. Choi is just the third CU golfer to ever qualify for the event. "I am so happy for Robyn," head coach Anne Kelly told CUBuffs.com. "Qualifying for the US Open is quite an accomplishment. The USGA Women's Open is the premier event for women in golf world wide. Playing in this tournament will be a wonderful experience for her." The 72^nd edition of the U.S. Women’s Open will be played July 13-16 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

NEW UNIFORMS FOR BUFFS HOOPSTERS?

If you’re reading this column then you’ve noticed that Ralphie Report recently received a redesign. Well, my Ralphie Report colleague Sam Metivier thinks it’s about time the CU Men’s hoops program redesign their uniforms.

#BLACKOUTBOYZ MEMBER TO GET A TATTOO?

Speaking of designs, senior wide receiver ‘Big Play’ Shay Fields took to twitter late Saturday night/early Sunday asking followers whether he should get a Buffs tattoo. Anyone have suggestions for a design?

Take it from former Buffs defensive back Ken Crawley, nothing wrong with representing your school with a little lot of ink.

BUFFS HELPING BUFFS

Led by former CU player and head coach Jon Embree, Buffs4life is an organization of CU alums dedicated to helping Buffs in need. Chancellor Lee Adams (son of former Buffs wide receiver Rae Carruth) and his grandmother Saundra recently moved into a new home made possible by Buffs4life. CUBuffs.com contributing editor Neill Woelk wrote this GREAT article about the organization assisting Chancellor Lee Adams and his grandmother.