A Gopher commit for months, Buford will make his official visit next weekend.
Ray Buford, a 6-foot-and a half inch and 189-pound corner back from Southfield (MI) High, committed to Minnesota in July. The senior athlete helped lead the Bluejays to an 8-4 mark this season, losing to De La Salle Collegiate 31-7 in the Division 2 semifinals last week. Their three regular season losses were by a combined nine points.
Gopher Hole caught up with Buford to learn the latest on his senior season and his college decision.
Gopher Hole: You had an outstanding season, finishing 8-4 and making it to the state semifinals, unfortunately coming up on the short end against a really good De La Salle team. How pleased were you with your senior season?
Ray Buford: I was definitely pleased. We proved a lot of people wrong. I definitely would have liked to come out with the ultimate, which was a championship ring, but it was a pretty big year.
Gopher Hole: How about individually? How pleased were you with how things went individually?
Ray Buford: We had a good year, but defensively, I would have liked to have gotten a few more balls thrown my way. Not much action. On the offensive side, I did my thing, but I was hoping to be a little busier on defense, since that is what I am playing in college.
Gopher Hole: Do you think that since teams know that you are a good player and going to play Division I college football that they threw the other way or schemed away from you?
Ray Buford: That definitely played a factor in it. That is what comes with it.
Gopher Hole: You committed to Minnesota back in July. What was the main reason you decided to commit to Minnesota at that time?
Ray Buford: I felt that they were the first school to take a chance on me and they believed in me, so I felt that I should repay them by committing and helping out.
Gopher Hole: What has the reaction of your family and friends been since you committed to Minnesota?
Ray Buford: Most of them were definitely surprised because I mostly had MAC offers, so they didn’t expect the Minnesota offer, so when I got that, they were really excited for me and happy for me.
Gopher Hole: When are you making your official visit to Minnesota?
Ray Buford: I am planning on coming down December 12th.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to see Minnesota play at all on TV this season?
Ray Buford: I watch every game. Me and my dad record all their games, so just in case we had a game that day.
Gopher Hole: What has your impression been so far?
Ray Buford: They are definitely a well-improved team and Coach Kill has been doing pretty good with those guys. A few years ago, they weren’t even in the conversation for a Big Ten title, so it is definitely good to see the strides that Minnesota is making.
Gopher Hole: Does that make you feel even a little bit better about your decision, since you can see that they are continuing to improve?
Ray Buford: Oh, yes. Definitely, because when I first made my commitment, people were asking me what I would do if Michigan offered. I told them, I didn’t commit for another school to offer me. I committed because I could see something that Minnesota was doing and I believed it.
Gopher Hole: You had to feel a little better when they beat Michigan at Michigan.
Ray Buford: Yes. People saw what I saw.
Gopher Hole: What do you see your strengths as a football player?
Ray Buford: I would have to say my speed, my length and me being an athlete. I can play either receiver, corner or safety. Whatever. I can do it all and I feel that I can excel at all those.
Gopher Hole: Have the Gopher coaches talked to you much about what role you might have next year as a freshman?
Ray Buford: Yes. They said that I’ll probably come in situationally, like dime packages as a corner because they have a lot of returning seniors and juniors, so I’ll have to fit in where I can.
Gopher Hole: Have you talked to them about playing versus redshirting? Would you prefer to play or does it matter to you?
Ray Buford: I would prefer to play because I am a competitor and I love to play. No one likes to sit, but if I had to redshirt, it would definitely be up to the coaches and I would be fine with that.
Gopher Hole: Coach Sawvel was the one who mostly recruited you, right? What has your relationship with him been like?
Ray Buford: He is really cool. At first, I talked to Coach Reeves and probably about a week later, Coach Jay took over and I started talking to him. He is a great guy and it has been great building that relationship and getting familiar with him.
Gopher Hole: How many times have you been to Minnesota?
Ray Buford: I have only been once when they offered me back in July on an unofficial.
Gopher Hole: Did you get a chance to see or do much when you were up here?
Ray Buford: Oh, yes. I got to see the facilities, the stadium and I got a tour around the city, so it was a pretty nice place and I liked it.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought much about a possible college major?
Ray Buford: I am trying to decide between Sports Management and Sports Marketing. I think that I have enough time to figure it out between those two.
Gopher Hole: I know that they are recruiting another Michigan high school player who you are friends with, John Kelly. You played his high school team earlier this season. Do you talk to him much about recruitment?
Ray Buford: During the summer, I talked to him a little bit about it. He always had Minnesota high in his eyes, just because that was where he was originally from and he always loved the hometown team. He loved the Gophers, but other than that, I haven’t talked to him about recruiting.
Gopher Hole: What are you going to tell him about Minnesota or what have you told him in the past?
Ray Buford: He was on Minnesota before they offered me, so he was telling me about Minnesota. He knows pretty much everything about that program, so there really isn’t much that he doesn’t know. He just needs to decide now.
Gopher Hole: Do you feel even more secure about your commitment than when you made it?
Ray Buford: Oh, yes. Definitely.
Gopher Hole: Do you hear from any other schools or did things pretty much end when you committed?
Ray Buford: I have been hearing from Louisville and Oklahoma, but it is nothing too serious. Just a few letters. Nothing major. I am definitely solid with Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: Are you playing any other sports at Southfield this year?
Ray Buford: I am running track. Basically, all the sprints. 100, 200 and the relays.
Gopher Hole: How do you think that helps you in terms of football? Obviously, speed is an important factor being a defensive back. How much do you think it helps you?
Ray Buford: It definitely helps me stay in shape and in case, I have to use that speed, I have it.
Gopher Hole: Have you gotten to know any of the other recruits yet?
Ray Buford: Yes. I have talked to a few through the Internet. Not too much, because I have gotten to meet them yet.
Gopher Hole: Who have you stayed in contact with the most?
Ray Buford: Probably, (Demry) Croft, the QB. The Huffs. I have talked to Alonzo Craighton. I have talked to the receiver commit from Georgia (Alonzo Brown). I have talked to those guys.
Gopher Hole: Will it be nice to match the face to the voice with some of the recruits during your visit?
Ray Buford: Oh, yes. Definitely. It will be nice to get to know the guys that you will be around for a couple of years.
Gopher Hole: Being in Michigan¸ you are in Big Ten country. How big is it to get a chance to play in that conference as a college player?
Ray Buford: It has always a dream of mine to play in that conference just because that was the area that I grew up around and I was dealing with those teams. It is definitely a big deal.