BOULDER — As Hank Zilinskas was celebrating a perfect high school football career with a fourth-straight CHSAA state championship at Cherry Creek, he got the news.
His future team, Colorado, was hiring Deion Sanders as its next coach — his next coach. Zilinskas — along with the rest of the recruits currently committed to play for the Buffaloes — had their statuses thrown into the air.
Cherry Creek senior center/defensive lineman Hank Zilinskas (58) celebrates during a 5A CHSAA state championship game against Valor Christian on Dec. 3, 2022 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
Tyler King, The Denver GazetteCoach Prime was not obligated to honor their scholarships. Of the few that were, only a handful still remain on CU’s roster in Sanders’ second season. Zilinskas is one of them.
“He’s one of those guys that didn’t flinch,” Coach Prime said.
Anyone who knows Zilinskas’ background isn’t surprised.
His dad, John, played college football at UCLA and was the center …