Barrington's Handler picks Colorado

Gus Handler gave the University of Colorado a nice holiday gift.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound senior offensive lineman from Barrington made a verbal commitment to accept a scholarship offer to play football at Colorado.

Handler chose the Buffaloes over Division I offers that included Purdue, North Carolina State, New Mexico, Ball State and Miami (Ohio).

Handler, who has a 3.5 grade point average, was a Daily Herald Cook County All-Area offensive lineman. The tackle, who will move to center at Colorado, led one of the Mid-Suburban League's top offenses as Barrington reached the Class 8A state quarterfinals.