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CU's Nelson Spruce Leads All NCAA Receivers In Receptions

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - It's rare that the nation's leading receiver needs an introduction, but what University of Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Nelson Spruce has accomplished so far this year has caught many by surprise, including himself.

"Numerically, I wasn't really expecting these type of statistics, but at the same time I prepared a lot this offseason, kind of put myself in this situation," Spruce said.

Spruce currently has 77 catches. It only took him games to surpass his total last year. The junior spent most of the offseason with receivers coach Troy Walters. The two videotaped and critiqued everything he did. So count Walters has one of the few who isn't shocked by Nelson's fast start.

"We got after it. You know, Nelson is one of those guys, he wants to be great. He wanted to be the best receiver in the country," Walters said. "From Day 1 he got after it. Anytime someone has 19 catches in a game, you're surprised. But I couldn't be happier; he works his butt off."

"That preparation has really built my confidence going into this season. I was ready to make plays," Spruce said.

That's exactly what Spruce has done. His 11 touchdowns are the second most in the nation, and he's made some catches that are absolutely ridiculous.

Nelson Spruce
Wide receiver Nelson Spruce #22 of the Colorado Buffaloes makes a catch good for eight yards as defensive back Ishmael Adams #1 of the UCLA Bruins defends on the play during the third quarter at Folsom Field on October 25, 2014 in Boulder, Colorado. The Bruins defeated the Buffaloes 40-37 in double overtime. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

"Probably the one against Colorado State … the one in the end zone; he kind of had it one-handed there," CU offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said.

"The overtime catch in the end zone. Man, I don't know how he did that one; that one was pretty incredible," fellow receiver Tyler McCulloch said.

"He really doesn't drop much ... he has the surest hands on the team," fellow receiver D.D. Goodson said. "He's good, he catches everything."

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