BY JOHN ANDERSON
During his time at Hornell High School, it was laughable watching opposing defenses try to tackle Rayyan Buell when he carried the ball. However, on defense, there was no laughing matter. Buell was a two-time Section V football defensive MVP and all-state selection.
As college coaches were coveting Batavia running back Ray Leach, it was Buell who caught the speedster from behind and laid some massive hits that game and all season. He went up to the sixth-ranked defensive player in the state and a 3-star recruit.
Over the weekend, his “star” rose, as Buell is now a 4-star defensive lineman and has signed with the Colorado Buffaloes and coach Deion Sanders. “Coach Prime” announced the signing, as he is turning the Division I program around.
Colorado games were must-see TV last year, and celebrities dotted the sidelines and stands to be a part of what Sanders is bringing to the college.
And now, he has signed not only a player of high-caliber, but high character.
Buell, the son of Dave and Elisha, was not only an All-MAC star after two years at Ohio University, he originally signed with Rutgers University, then attended Northwest Mississippi Community College where is was a national NJCAA Academic All American and then at Ohio was an academic all-conference selection.
His work in sports and off the field in the community earned him the Hornell Sports Night Athlete of the Year as a senior as well.
With one year of eligibility left as a graduate student, Buell, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 277 pounds, majored in Integrated Science, Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism and Pre-Specialized Studies.
The MAC is not known for major four-star players, but Rayyan turned eyes with an incredible 2023 season when he graded out at 71.9 during 447 snaps in 13 games with 12 solo tackles, 30 overall and 4.5 sacks. In two seasons at Ohio he played in 22 games with 39 tackles, 16 solo and 6.5 sacks.
In addition to the signing of Buell, Sanders also signed Texas offensive lineman Payton Kirkland and Pitt defensive end Dayon Hayes. The moves received high praises from college football experts, who noted Colorado lost a lot of players from last season.
Coach Sanders and Colorado have until April 30 to sign more transfers.
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