Colorado University Athletics

Maurice Cantrell Biography

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MAURICE CANTRELL

ILB, 6-1, 220, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Washington)

 

  HIGH SCHOOL?As a senior team captain, he was an All-Midlands performer by both SuperPrep and Prep Football Report, with Rivals.com rating him as the No. 9 overall player in Iowa.   SuperPrep ranked him as the No. 47 player overall in the Midlands (the 5th linebacker), while PFR tabbed him No. 74 overall and as the 11th ?backer.  In earning first-team all-state (Elite Squad and 4A), all-Mississippi Valley Conference and all-metro honors as a senior, when he was in on 106 tackles (74 solo) from his inside linebacker position.  He added nine tackles for loss, including four quarterback sacks, with six forced fumbles and two recoveries, 12 quarterback hurries, six pass deflections and three interceptions, on of which he returned for a touchdown.  On offense, playing fullback, he rushed for 380 yards and three scores on 40 carries, including a long touchdown run of 80 yards.  As a junior, he earned first-team all-conference and all-metro honors as he racked up 80 tackles (24 solo), with six for losses, four interceptions (two for touchdowns), three forced fumbles and two recoveries.  On offense, he rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and caught two passes for 50 yards and a score.  Washington was 12-1 his senior year and 9-1 his junior season, claiming Mississippi Valley Conference and metro titles both times in finishing as the state runner-up in 2003 after losing in the first round of state playoffs in 2002 under coach Paul James.  He also has lettered three times in track (sprints; career bests of 11.5 in the 100 and 22.9 in the 200), and lettered twice in wrestling in the 189-pound weight class.

 

  ACADEMICS?He is interested in pre-medicine as his major at Colorado.  An honor roll student in high school (junior year).

 

  VITALS?Has 4.54 speed in the 40, 11.5 in the 100-meters, and bench presses 330 pounds.

 

  RECRUITING?He selected Colorado over Iowa State, Purdue, Kansas State and Kansas.

 

  PERSONAL?He was born April 27, 1986 in Portsmouth, Va.  Hobbies include lifting weights and listening to music.  An uncle (Kenneth Cantrell) played running back in college at a small school in Indiana.  He has done volunteer work at a nursing home in Cedar Rapids, and has been active in his community with kids.  As a junior in high school, he mentored elementary school youngsters, and as a senior, he was a member of student panels that worked with both elementary and middle school children as he enjoys being a role model for kids of all ages.  Nickname is “Moe.”