Longmont lineman hopes to impress CU
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Some recruits want to stay close to home, while other wants to venture away from the nest. Tanner Wilkey falls into the former. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound lineman would love to stay local and play football at the University of Colorado. He was born in Boulder and now lives in nearby Longmont.
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"I want to go somewhere in the Pac-12 and somewhere I can get a good education," he said. "I like Stanford a lot, too."
A number of colleges have shown some form of interest in Wilkey. He said Colorado has talked to him the most to this point in time.
"I went to their Junior Day and Spring Game and I also went there for a game last season, their homecoming game," Wilkey said. "I have been talking to [CU cornerbacks coach] Andy LaRussa a lot because he is our area recruiter. He has been sending me some handwritten notes, just really positive stuff.
"I really like the facilities they are putting in there at CU and they have a great coaching staff. Those guys are all great over there. I have also met with the offensive line coach (Gary Bernardi) and [head] coach Mike MacIntyre. They just seem great."
Wilkey plans to attend one of the Buffaloes' camps in June with the goal of "performing really well and earning a scholarship offer."
Throughout most of his young football career, Wilkey has played on both sides of the line at offensive tackle and defensive tackle. After specializing as a defensive lineman at Longmont High last season, he plans to start both ways again as a senior.
"Most colleges I talked to said I'll probably end up playing offense," he said. "I don't have a preference. I will do whatever helps the team."
What does Wilkey hope college recruiters and fans see in his game?
"I would want them to see that I am aggressive and I have a good motor going after everyone," he said. "And just that I am in it every play and I am a smart football player. I think those are the biggest attributes I can bring to the team."
A 4.0 student, Wilkey plans to study Political Science in college then go to Law school.
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