Munsterteiger tackles Goree

Colorado, as predicted by Adam Munsterteiger of BuffStampede.com, went searching for more talent on the defensive line, traveling into Southeastern Conference territory to secure a verbal commitment from Eugene Goree.

The 6-foot-3 1/2 , 280-pound Goree of Murfreesboro, Tenn. earned honors his senior season, yet was not highly recruited, so why go so far to get what appears to be so little?

The Buffs obviously saw something they liked but what was it?

We went to Munsterteiger to see what it might have been.

BGB: Adam, what about Goree, do you believe, made CU want to get him into a Buffs' uniform?

Munsterteiger: Goree's recruitment reminds me a lot of Jalil Brown's recruiting process from last year. Brown had impressive vitals but most colleges did not think he was going to qualify academically because he was home schooled. While Goree was not home schooled, but he did have a lot of academic question marks. That kept a long list of colleges, including Louisville, from offering a scholarship.

But Goree recently received a positive score on his ACT and that is what prompted Colorado to bring him out on an official visit and offer him a scholarship.

Goree is a sleeper in the "recruiting world." But he was an all-state honoree and one of three finalists for the Mr. Football award in Tennessee this year so he is well known out in the Volunteer state.

"Goree is, to me, one of the most underrated players in Tennessee," Bryan Moss, the Tennessee preps writer on Rivals.com told me yesterday. "He has good size and speed and is strong. He's listed with a a 5.0 forty but I think he's faster than that. He has a good first move. Academics are a worry for Goree. Even with the academic worry, I'm surprised Colorado was his only offer."

BGB: Your opinion on CU continuing to establish watering holes all over the country for talent?

Munsterteiger: Talent is talent and if you can recruit nationally, you should. Sure, recruiting has a lot to do with building relationships but if a prospect can play and they can fit into your program and they are responsive to your interest, it shouldn't matter where they're from. You want to establish a presence in your backyard but the state of Colorado is only deep enough to offer around 10 prospects per recruiting cycle.

BGB: Adam, thanks for being there for an update. For more on Goree and Buffs' recruiting, you can read more at BuffStampede.com.

Will say this today...it is mighty impressive how Colorado is setting up camp in so many states East of home, primarily in SEC locales as well as in the Northeast. I've never seen anything like this for this program. Head coach Dan Hawkins may not be pulling in all high school All Americans but he is setting the precedent for getting talent anywhere. When he goes back in the future, people will not say "C-who?" The school will have recognition power. Once the wins start coming (color me confident) more frequently, look for a greater volume of higher-profile players.

On the recent verbals of Drew Hudgins and Goree, the Buffs have added depth up front, an area that has to be strong to be a "player" each fall. If Hudgins can come close to duplicating the pass rush he showed at the junior college ranks, if Goree can prove to was worth taking a flyer on, then CU will benefit immeasurably. Defense was a surprise this past season. To make it bigger, bolder, faster would accelerate the Hawkins' blueprint for success.