Trustin Oliver: “I had to get back home” on committing to Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes gained another recruit for Karl Dorrell’s staff on Monday.

Trustin Oliver’s commitment may sound familiar to many who have followed the Buffs. The 6-foot-4, 215 pound defensive back was a member of CU’s 2019 recruiting class before ending up academically ineligible. Oliver comes back to Colorado via Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs, IA). A three-star product, Oliver was ranked the 14th best player in Colorado by ESPN coming out of high school. He originally committed to the Buffs over Beehive State schools BYU and Utah.

Oliver spent three years in Parker, Colo. at Legend HS before committing to the Buffs under Mel Tucker. The highly-touted, one-time receiver turned defensive back moved away from his hometown of Los Angeles, Calif. after deciding to focus more on academics. Ultimately, Dorrell like Tucker, carried the torch for Colorado in bring Oliver back to Boulder.

“I respect both coach Tucker and Dorrell to the highest levels,” Oliver said. “They’re both great men and mentors in their profession.” Being back at CU felt like the right decision for Oliver. “JUCO was a really good experience,” Oliver said. “It prepares you to know if you’re good enough for the next level. You get better everyday as you work as it. At the end of the day though, I had to get back home.”

Oliver gathered a lot of interest from Pac-12 schools during both recruiting cycles, but Colorado stood taller and stayed focused on Oliver’s progress even through coaching changes and a worldwide health crisis.

“I am big on loyalty. I feel if someone paid that to you, it must be returned,” Oliver said about the coaches at Colorado. “Not that I always felt it would be CU, but I felt being in Boulder was the best situation for me. Also, knowing the passion and enthusiasm coach Dorrell, coach Martin, coach Maxie and coach summers showed during this pandemic was monumental for me. Two minutes before making my announcement to Colorado, I received a text from one of my coaches at Iowa Western that Oregon wanted a copy of my transcript. Still didn’t change my mind one bit.”

Oliver released a statement on Twitter Monday saying, “After going through two junior colleges and finding a home within Iowa Western Community College, I’ve learned a lot about myself as a player, as a young man, and many lessons about life along my journey. My family, friends and coaches have supported me throughout the entire process and I cannot express how much this love has meant to me. With all that being said, I am blessed and excited to say I have committed to the University of Colorado.”

Oliver brings tremendous talent to the Buffs under Dorrell’s newly assembled coaching staff. A physical-minded safety who’ll develop further under his recruiters Brett Maxie and Demetrice Martin. Colorado gets a better version of Oliver from his original recruitment. He’s roughly gained 30 pounds of muscle from his days at Legend. Oliver will be a day one contributor in the secondary, possibly at CU’s Star position.

“My plan is to be the best me possible in life on and off the field,” Oliver said. “I’m an athlete and will learn any position the coaches want me to.” With Oliver, the Buffs are building depth at safety along with Mark Perry, Christian Gonzalez and Derrion Rakestraw.