Three months after picking the Buffaloes over 24 other offers, Victor Venn got a chance to see Boulder for the first time. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound all-purpose back from Buford (Ga.) High was one of eight official visitors on campus at CU this weekend.
“First, we got picked up by (CU recruiting staff member) Emily (Giusti) and we went to the Blake Street Tavern (in Denver),” Venn said when asked to recap his trip to Boulder. “We got to the stadium, and it was eye-opening from there. Being inside Folsom Field and seeing the mountains and the scenery was amazing. We had dinner at Pasta Jay’s and I got to talk to the coaches even more: (running backs) coach (Darian) Hagan, (offensive coordinator and receivers) coach (Darrin) Chiaverini, and (head) coach Karl Dorrell. Later in the weekend, I had a one-on-one meeting with Coach Dorrell to hear more about his plans for me at CU. They are recruiting me primarily as a running back, but they also want to use me outside in the slot on electric routes and sweeps.
“I hung out with my recruiting host, who was running back Jarek Broussard. We had a great time. I picked his brain about the whole situation at CU, how it is to play in the Pac-12. It was wonderful to get to sit down and hang out with him over the course of the weekend. He took me around town. I got to see the Hill, the places that people eat, and get a feel for the whole culture at CU. It was just wonderful getting to know more.
“The photo shoot was wonderful. And we got to play cornhole. The facilities, being able to see the weight room and the indoor practice field was great. Talking to Coach Shannon Turley, the strength and conditioning coach, I got to learn how they help their athletes perform at their best level and excel. We had breakfast up top with a view of the stadium and mountains. Some alumni came back and filled us in on what it means to be a CU Buff, too. It was amazing.”
SkoBuffs ?????? #StrictlyBusine22 @CoachChev6 @DarianLH3 @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/5GOwpTMWtV
— Victor Venn (@Vic6Venn) June 13, 2021
Venn also got a chance to hang out with fellow Buff commit Carlton Madden Jr., who lives less than an hour away in the Atlanta area.
“It felt like we were already there. It was a great college vibe with all the recruits,” he said. “We all connected well and had a great time. I got to hang out with Michael Wooten, Avyonne Jones and Trevon Howard from IMG (Academy), too. I can definitely tell that all the guys were as excited as I was and were enjoying their time there. I am feeling pretty confident about the recruits regardless if they have other visits scheduled.”
Venn does not have other trips lined up, so he will be able to focus his energy on preparing for his senior season at Buford. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns while helping the Wolves to a 6A championship in 2020. Venn was also part of the Buford 4×1 relay team that took home the state title.
“Of course we are going for another football state championship and track state championship, and I definitely want to top what I did in my junior campaign as a senior by adding at least 400 more yards and at least four more touchdowns,” he said. “And as far as recruiting, Colorado is boosted in my mind even more after my visit. I am locked in, solid. Knowing that CU is a big family, and the culture there is strong, makes me even more excited with my choice.”
