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Buffs get two commits from former Nebraska commits

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 18, 2007 at 8:03 p.m.
Updated December 18, 2007 at 8:03 p.m.

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BOULDER – The second-half momentum generated last month in Colorado’s 65-51 victory against Nebraska apparently has spilled into recruiting.

The Buffaloes picked up verbal commitments Tuesday from Mullen High School standout Bryce Givens and another prospect who initially committed to the Cornhuskers, with a third Big Red defection expected.

Givens, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound offensive lineman, and linebacker Doug Rippy (6-2, 218, Trotwood, Ohio), changed their minds after Nebraska’s coaching change. No. 3 in the switch could be defensive end Josh Williams, who also visited CU last weekend with Givens and Rippy, and Givens expected Williams (6-4, 220, Denton, Texas) to commit Tuesday night.

``It’s been a pretty good day for the Buffs,’’ Givens said, adding he believes CU ``will be the best situation to succeed and win a national championship or two. It’s a program on the rise; there’s a good atmosphere there. Coach (Dan) Hawkins and his staff have got it going.’’

While Tuesday’s pledges give CU 16 known commitments, Givens’ decision helps Hawkins take another big step toward keeping the state’s top prospects at home.

After signing Columbine offensive lineman Ryan Miller last winter, CU has a commitment from this year’s No. 1 recruit, Ponderosa linebacker Jon Major. Now, Givens, Columbine defensive lineman Curtis Cunningham and Mountain Vista safety Patrick Mahnke – all first-team Rocky All-Colorado selections – have committed to CU.

Meanwhile, the status of running back P.T. Gates remains uncertain. A 2007 CU signee, he has spent the fall semester at Saddleback (Calif.) Community College (he didn’t play football) trying to meet CU admission requirements, but he might come up short again.

Gates said recently he still hopes to enroll at CU, but if he qualifies for admission, he will have to sign a non-binding financial aid agreement. NCAA rules prohibit prospects signing two national letters of intent, and Gates signed CU’s last year.

Today is the first day of the signing period for junior college prospects. National letter of intent day for high school prospects is Feb. 6.