Rookie sensation Sutton nearly a Buff

Courtland Sutton once dreamed of donning the black and gold as a Colorado Buffalo at Folsom Field.

Yes, that Courtland Sutton, the Broncos’ rookie wide receiver already regarded as an elite NFL jumpball target by teammates and coaches. So imagine this: A CU offense featuring Phillip Lindsay in the backfield and, on the edge, Sutton, a 6foot3, 218pound freak athlete with 3,220 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns through college. Just enough to make any Buffs fan swoon.

“CU was my very first scholarship offer back when I had no idea what a scholarship offer meant,” Sutton said. “I already loved Colorado. The state itself was amazing.”

Of course, it never happened. Sutton starred at SMU — about 200 driving miles north of his hometown of Brenham, Texas — after a hard lesson in college football recruiting.

Sutton, also sought by several college programs to play safety and outside linebacker, missed what he called “the big visit” at CU in December 2013 because Brenham High School was in the midst of a Texas state playoff run. He finally made it to Boulder with his mother for an official in January, that by all accounts, went well. At least, until the final day.

“CU was trying to get me to commit, but I told them I wasn’t committing yet,” Sutton said. “On that Sunday, I met with Coach (Mike) MacIntyre and he starts asking about the weekend and if I enjoyed it. Then he goes: ‘Here’s the situation right now. We don’t have a scholarship for you anymore.’ ”

The Buffs received a commitment from another receiver, MacIntyre told Sutton, and his slot evaporated. It’s an alltoocommon phenomenon in modern college football re