Woelk: Spruce's Legacy Will Be More Than Numbers
December 04, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — You've heard of rewriting the record books?
In his time at Colorado, Nelson Spruce not only owned the pen, he ran out of ink. Again and again and again.
Spruce's numbers are, quite simply, mind-boggling. In his four seasons at CU, Spruce set or tied at 43 Colorado and Pac-12 records.
The list includes, of course, almost every significant CU mark associated with the position: most touchdown catches in a game, season and career (3, 12, 23); most receptions in a game, season and career (19, 106, 294); and most receiving yards in a career (3,347).
There are also a host of more esoteric marks, such as the most receptions in two, three, four, five and six consecutive games (he caught 66 passes over a six-game span in 2014); most consecutive games with at least two receptions (38); and most onside kick returns for a touchdown in a game (one — he's the only CU player in history to accomplish the feat).
He's also the all-time Pac-12 leader in career receptions (294), is tied for the conference record for most catches in a game (19), is eighth in all-time Pac-12 receiving yards (3,347) and is a two-time second team all-Pac-12 selection.
Spruce was also an outstanding student. Earlier this week, he was named to the COSIDA Academic All-America second team, and he will graduate this month with a 3.58 grade-point average in business/finance and management.
It's safe to say his name will be in the record books for years to come, and just as safe to say his name will be remembered by CU fans for just as long.
But past those numbers — admittedly, it's a long walk to get past all of them — Spruce's legacy will be more than his production on the field. While the Buffs didn't produce as many victories as Spruce would have liked during his career, he nevertheless established a foundation for future CU success.
That foundation — constructed of work ethic, dedication and discipline — will be one that will have a positive effect on the program for years.
Earlier this week, Spruce and defensive back Chidobe Awuzie appeared at the end-of-season press conference. Awuzie was asked about Spruce's influence, and his answer was quick and to the point:
“He pushed me,” Awuzie said. “I saw how he worked and how great he was and what all he accomplished at this level.”
Spruce was never a vocal leader. He went about his work quietly — but his discipline and dedication were evident to everyone on the field. He never took shortcuts, he never complained and he never offered up an excuse. He was the epitome of “lead by example.”
It's that work ethic that made him a standout college player, and one that will earn him a chance to earn a paycheck for playing on Sundays.
“I think he can play on the next level,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “I think he can play a lot of different spots, he can also play on different special teams with his body size. He's not a skinny little receiver that can't play multiple positions on special teams, so I think he'll have a lot of opportunities to play.”
Spruce said after graduation, he'll likely move back to California, settle on an agent and begin preparations for the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, CU coaches will begin the process of figuring out how to replace his production — a duty that will no doubt be shared by several players. But a more difficult task might be finding a way to replicate Spruce's influence, both on and off the field.
“The thing about Nelson is he's a phenomenal student, he's a phenomenal person, he's a great leader and he is going to be a success in whatever he decides to do,” MacIntyre said. “I definitely feel like he'll play at the next level for a while, but I know one thing: whatever he decides to do business-wise or investment-wise, I'm going to find out what it is. He's a great player, but an even better all-around person. He's been a pleasure to coach and have on our football team.”
In short, Spruce has been a role model — on the field, in the classroom and in public, and his influence will be felt not only next year, but for years to come.
Sports are cyclical in nature. Success begets success; struggles beget struggles. It takes special players to turn the latter into the former, and it doesn't happen overnight.
Spruce has been one of those special players for Colorado. He will be remembered not only for his numbers, but for the standard he set for teammates. That standard will be carried forward by the younger players on the team, and the cycle will repeat itself as the trajectory of the program continues to move back up.
Tuesday afternoon, in his final “official” interview as a Buff, Spruce was asked what words of advice he would offer younger players.
“Seize the opportunity every day,” Spruce said. “That's how I attack the game. We have the athletes on the team, but it's just going to be a matter of treating every day like that's the last chance you are going to get. The thing with this program is, if we can do that, then we are going to be competitive against these top teams. It's (about) coming to work.”
Simple, to the point and always a focus on dedication and discipline. Along with the numbers, that will be a big part of Nelson Spruce's legacy.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
