Colorado offers Junior College linebacker
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Hutchinson Community College outside linebacker Claude George's path to Division-I football took a little longer than originally expected. The 2013 Louisiana high school graduate is nearing the finish line, though, after a stop in Kansas.
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Following a standout prep career at Acadiana High School in Lafayette, La., George was on track to play for Memphis. He said his test scores were not where they needed to be and he ended up in Hutchinson, Kan., about 11 hours from his home.
"I'd originally signed to the University of Memphis, but my ACT wasn't high enough to qualify," George said. "I had a teammate playing here, so he kind of put me on with the coaches and stuff. They liked me a lot, that's why I came here."
George said his grades are on track and he hopes to continue his studies in exercise physiology when he picks his next school. Colorado is one of the colleges hoping to land the 6-foot-2, 230-pound defender with a 4.57 40-yard dash time.
"The head coach [offered]. [Mike MacIntyre] was just telling me how they're looking for a guy like me and how I can come in and change that program," George said.
The Buffs are not alone in their quest to land the rush specialist.
"I have Memphis, UL [University of Louisiana at Lafayette], South Alabama, South Florida, Iowa State and Colorado," George said of his offers. He also picked up an offer from the Washington Huskies last week and has heard from the Pac-12's Southern California and UCLA.
George said he does not know a lot about CU and its football program, but with the assistance of recruiting coordinator Troy Walters, he's learning about the Buffs.
"I don't really know much, but I've been learning a lot, coach Walters has been sending me a lot of information and videos," George said. "I think he's a pretty good coach, he's a real nice guy."
George said the Buffs see a hybrid defensive role in his future.
"Like an outside, rushing linebacker. [I'm] like a hybrid d-end, outside linebacker," he said.
Hutchinson recently completed its spring ball and George is preparing for his sophomore year after a solid freshman campaign. He said he hopes to pick a landing spot before the 2014 season or midway through.
"I had 51 total tackles. I had 15 and a half tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery," he said of his 2013 season. "I'll probably going to make my decision before the season or midway in the season."
Colorado is interested in bringing George to Boulder to visit. It's something he's considering doing.
"They talked about some time this summer, taking a visit up there," he said.