Burns still high on Colorado

73 of the top 100 ranked prospects in California this cycle have already verbally committed to a college. And most of the undecided recruits on the list have significantly narrowed down their list. While Temecula (Calif.) Linfield Christian School standout Lorenzo Burns has high interest in some colleges, he remains more open than most his Class of 2016 peers.

"I don't want to get rushed because of what other recruits in my class are doing. I just want to make sure I am focused on what I am doing," said Burns, currently ranked as the 68th best prospect from the Golden State. "I only get to go through this process and make the best decision for me once.

"Now, I have been making sure I am in communication with coaches to make sure they do have spots open and everything is still good with my scholarship offer. The other recruits committing doesn't really bother me, though. I can't let it change my thought process."

An offer from Memphis earlier this fall brought Burns' offer total to 19, and he continues to hear from coaches at USC and BYU. The versatile 5-foot-11, 160-pound athlete does not have a concrete top five, but he shared some of his leaders with BuffStampede.com on Tuesday evening.

"I know that Colorado will definitely be in there because I did enjoy the campus and the coaches and the University when I visited in the summer and I do see what they are building over there," Burns said. "Also in the Pac-12, Arizona is another one of those schools I like. I guess Cal is one of them, too. After the football season I can really sit down and really buckle down and take the time to think about the [recruiting] process."

Burns added that he has had discussions with coaches from Nebraska and Wisconsin about lining up a visit for after the season. He has already scheduled an official trip with Arizona for the weekend of Dec. 10.

"I took an unofficial visit out to Arizona in the summer and I really enjoyed it. I liked the atmosphere and the coaching staff and I just want to go back out there to see what it is like while school is going," Burns said. "And one of my good friends J.J. Taylor, from Centennial, is committed there and I believe he is taking his official visit the same weekend I'll be out there. I think it will be cool to go out there at the same time to see the University again."

The Wildcats are recruiting him as a defensive back, while the Buffaloes are simply recruiting Burns as an athlete. Colorado special teams coach Toby Neinas is responsible for his recruitment from the Buffs' staff.

"Coach Neinas came to my game last week and I talk to him almost every week. We have good conversations. He is always honest and considerate," Burns said. "I am thinking about going back out there on an official visit, when that is I don't know, but I am discussing it with my parents.

"Colorado's program is developing. They want to win more games but they are playing good football this year from what I've seen. I know [head] coach [Mike] MacIntyre is doing a good job of bringing up the program. He told me he is not using Colorado as a stepping stone and that he really wants to be the one to have Colorado make a name for itself in the Pac-12. I can see that happening. I enjoy the University and coaches."

Burns earned Ambassador League MVP honors as a junior in 2014. And through the first nine games of his senior campaign, he has accounted for more than 1,000 yards of offense, 12 touchdowns and he has recorded 30 tackles and one interception on defense. Linfield Christian is 8-1 heading into its regular season finale at Ontario Christian.

"I feel like my speed, quickness, size and confidence has all improved since last season," Burns said. "My dad [DeChon Burns] is my head coach so I feel like I have been taught like no one else I go up against has been taught, so I definitely have confidence in what I am doing out there."

[rl]