5/8/2013 football Edit

Canada names early frontrunner

Adam Gorney

Recruiting Analyst

Squally Canada has a long relationship with Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre from his tenure at San Jose State and the Buffaloes have already offered but it's the other offer the Milpitas, Calif., running back is seriously considering at this point.

Boise State stands out a little more than Colorado in Canada's recruitment and there are really specific things the 5-foot-11, 180-pound prospect likes about the Broncos.

"Boise State came through in early April or the end of March and my coach told me they were interested in me and they were very excited about me and the next thing you know I got a message from Boise State on Facebook," Canada said. "After that I got a message from the running backs coach, we kept talking and I developed a good relationship with them and he's a great guy. They called me up on May 1 and offered me.

"There are a lot of factors that go into it. I watch their practices on YouTube and I like the way they run their program up there. They practice early in the morning and I'd rather practice early than in the afternoon.

"My plan is to play in the NFL and they put out players every year. I like the running backs coach, their uniforms are awesome and they have that blue field."

Colorado cannot be dismissed though. Canada said he respects MacIntyre a lot and was hoping to land an offer from San Jose State when the coach was there. Since he moved to Colorado, Canada was not forgotten and he recently landed his first Pac-12 offer.

Utah State is also showing interest in the Milpitas standout who could emerge even more during the spring evaluation period.

"Coach MacIntyre was the first coach that ever saw me play because I went to San Jose State's camp," Canada said. "I was hoping to get an offer from San Jose State to go play with him but then he went to Colorado so San Jose State went out of mind.

"Coach Macintyre remembered me. A week later on my birthday they offered me. That is a big thing and they're a great school but I'm really interested in Boise State right now."