Get To Know CU Freshmen: Pookie Maka, Johnny Huntley III, Tony Julmisse

Johnny Huntley III, wide receiver, Plantation, Fla.

Wide receiver Johnny Huntley came to Colorado after a high school career that saw him in a leadership role from the throughout his career. The Florida native was a team captain for both his junior and senior seasons at South Plantation High School, and his leadership was visible on both sides of the ball.

During his senior year, the 6-foot-3 Huntley was named South Plantation's most valuable player.

On defense, Huntley played safety, recording 20 tackles with three forced fumbles and an interception. On offense, Huntley caught the eye of Colorado recruiters after making 55 receptions for 940 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 61 overall prospect in the state of Florida and the 69th receiver in the country. He also earned first-team All-Broward County honors by the Miami Herald.

Q: What has been the hardest thing about camp?

A: The elevation has been so hard. Coming from Florida, it's been hard to breathe but I'll get over it. The two a days were harsh in the air but it's been good.

Q: Which Pac-12 team are you most excited to play?

A: I have a lot of friends from down south that went to USC, so I'm really excited to play them. That'll be pretty exciting to play against them.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Boulder?

A: My favorite thing about Boulder is the people, definitely.

Q: What do you miss most about home?

A: I miss the food, the home cooking. My mom makes great mac and cheese.

Q: What is your favorite training table meal?

A: They had grits with shrimp. That was definitely the best thing we've had here.

Q: What do you think it's going to be like running behind Ralphie the first time?

A: It's going to feel surreal with thousands of fans screaming when you run behind her. I've never really played in front of that many people so it's going to very exciting.

Q: Did you see ESPN's 30 for 30 on the Colorado football program?

A: It made me happy to come here. It really made me want to help get Colorado back to the way it was in the 1990s.

Tony Julmisse, wide receiver/defensive back, Plantation, Fla.

One of the most talked about freshmen throughout fall camp for Colorado was defensive back/wide receiver Anthony Julmisse.

The 6-foot-1 Julmisse spent much of camp practicing on both offense and defense, a role he's comfortable in after a high school career in which he amassed significant statistics on both sides of the ball.

A three-year starter on offense as a receiver and running back at South Plantation High School, Julmisse recorded a solid season during his senior campaign. He rushed 81 times for 672 yards and eight touchdowns and also had 360 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

On defense ball, Julmisse found a home at safety, where he contributed 32 tackles (eight for a loss) and a blocked kick. He also secured two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Julmisse added an additional two touchdowns to his senior statistics via return, once on a punt and once on a kickoff.

As a senior, Julmisse earned second-team all-state honors at the utility position and first-team All-Broward County honors from the Miami Herald. He also lettered once in track, participating in sprints and relays.

Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?

A: Not having home-cooked meals, definitely.

Q: What do you miss most about home?

A: The food, most definitely. I'm Haitian, so our food is a little bit different. It usually consists of rice and beans and it's spicy.

Q: Which Pac-12 team are you most excited to play?

A: I'd have to say USC.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Boulder?

A: I love the atmosphere and the people. It's way different from home. People here are really genuine and care a lot.

Q: What is your favorite training table meal?

A: The first day of camp we had crab legs and steak. That was really good.

Q: What do you think it's going to be like running behind Ralphie the first time?

A: I'm going to love it. It's going to be a great, astonishing feeling. Just watching her go, I know she's a beast. She's so fast. I always get butterflies before every game since I was a kid. But once I get that first pop of contact, I'm good.

Q: Did you see ESPN's 30 for 30 on the Colorado football program?

A: I loved the 30 for 30. I had just committed when it came out and that gave me more insight on this team and made me fall in love with Colorado even more.

Pookie Maka, linebacker, Salt Lake City

Since Colorado's official entrance into the Pac-12 Conference five years ago, Utah has been CU's designated "conference rival."

With the 2016 freshman class, the Buffs captured a linebacker from the Utes, Salt Lake City's own,Tangilanu "Pookie" Maka.

A recipient of first team all-region honors his senior year, Maka played at outside linebacker, where he was in on 50 tackles, 35 of which were solo. During his senior campaign, the 6-foo-3 Maka forced four fumbles, broke up seven passes and blocked two field goals.

The Cottonwood High School graduate also saw action on the offensive side of the ball, mainly as a blocking back. He did, however, gain 29 yards on seven rushes.

Maka also lettered once in track, recording a best of 11.0 in the 100 meters during his senior year. He also played two years of rugby during high school.

Q: What was the hardest thing about camp?

A: The hardest part about camp was probably playing in the heat. It's a lot hotter than home. But camp was a lot of fun, getting to know all of the guys.

Q: Which Pac-12 team are you most excited to play?

A: Utah. I have a lot of friends on that team.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Boulder?

A: My favorite thing about Boulder thus far is probably the team. I haven't really gone out in Boulder and experienced many things yet. I've mainly just been with the team so far but that's been great.

Q: What do you miss most about home?

A: I miss my family and the food. I could really go for some roasted pig.

Q: What is your favorite training table meal?

A: The steak is really good, if they cook it right. I like mine well done.

Q: What do you think it's going to be like running behind Ralphie the first time?

A: I'm going to be really hyped up but I do get a little bit nervous before games.