Commitment Q&A: Jon Van Diest
Shortly after Jonathan Van Diest announced his verbal commitment to the Buffaloes on Sunday afternoon, the defensive standout from Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek spent some time talking with BuffStampede.com. Q&A below.
What does it feel like to be committed to Colorado?
Jon Van Diest: “It feels awesome. It is a relief, first of all. Growing up in Boulder and going to CU games, with my parents working there, it kind of like this cool cycle that I get to start on my own now. I love the school so I am really excited.”
Did you know early on that Colorado was your recruiting front-runner, or was there a moment during the process here in the last 10 months where it became clear that Colorado was your favorite?
"From when I first got my offer from Colorado (last May) up until this past Christmas, they weren't really my first option. I don't know what it was that changed my mind. I think just seeing the program more and thinking and praying about it, I realized I love CU and I want to go there. CU has so much going for it and I can be a player that can help build something there. I will also be close enough to my family that I can come and see them and visit and they can see me play. But I will also be far enough away that I can live my own life. Over time it started to become my first choice. The last couple months I felt like I was going to CU, it was just a matter of when I was going to commit."
You mentioned that you've favored Colorado heavily the last couple months, and it has been in the last couple months you picked up new offers from Nebraska, Louisville, Iowa State and Washington State... what did that feel like?
"It was overwhelming. Every player wants to be recognized on a national scale so it was really cool to have that recognition. I am honored to the coaches who have reached out to me and offered, for the time they gave me and considering me for their program. It was a little weird because even before I got the Nebraska offer, I knew I wanted to go to CU. When I got those other offers and nothing changed in my mind about CU, I knew it was time to commit."
How did your commitment to Colorado go down?
"I actually privately committed this past Monday. I had a strategy behind it. I wanted [head] coach [Mike] Mac[Intyre] to know prior [to Junior Day] so when I got there, I could be like, 'Okay, Coach Mac, I am already committed. What can I do to get more in-state kids to come here?' I could have waited until today to verbally commit and he might have been more excited but I wanted to start getting in-state kids and get them to join me. I talked to Marcus McElroy Jr. and Christian Cumber and said, 'Hey, you guys should consider coming here.' So I am getting a little head start on that."
Colorado got some momentum going with recruiting late during the 2016 recruiting cycle... did you take notice of that and did that have anything to do with you feeling comfortable about the direction of the program?
"It did. You can definitely see the program is starting to get better from where it was a few years ago. I think everyone can agree with that. It requires faith to believe in the coaches and the program and the fans. If everyone keeps supporting Colorado football, it is going to get better. I have faith and I give credit to the guys before who have had even more faith to go to CU and really start building from the ground up. I was watching a video with Nelson Spruce today and he talked about how they went from a 1-11 season to where they are now. They have made a lot of gains. But they have to make a little bit more and I think they will. I am excited to see what happens and be part of it."
What has been the feedback from friends and family since you announced your commitment to Colorado?
"It has been awesome. I don't know how to describe it, really, it just feels so right. I really enjoyed having everyone at my school, and my mom's and dad's friends, comment on the photos. I am also getting recognition from CU fans I have never met in my life. It is cool to be part of something people are so passionate about."
Lastly, since committing, have you gotten any more insight from Colorado's coaches in terms of how they think you will fit into the program when you arrive in 2017?
"I actually got that today. I always knew in college I was going to play linebacker. I am not 6-foot-5 and not going to grow that tall. I am hoping I can get another inch or two inches, we'll see what God gives me. But as of now, [defensive coordinator and linebackers] coach [Jim] Leavitt is looking at it like I can play either middle linebacker or outside linebacker. I will probably start out at middle first, but they will try me out at both and see where I fit in best. Wherever is best for the team is where I'll be playing."
