When the Colorado football team concluded its first scrimmage of spring football Saturday in Folsom Field, the Buffs gathered around coach Dan Hawkins and within a few moments they expelled a small roar.

Hawkins told the team he didn't want players thinking he ever would overlook their hard work. He then asked walk-on running back Cory Nabors to stand up. When Nabors took a knee once again, he was no longer a walk-on.

Hawkins awarded one of the program's available scholarships to Nabors, who joined the program as an invited walk-on from Rangeview High School in Aurora in 2006.

Nabors was lightly recruited despite rushing for more than 5,000 yards combined in his junior and senior seasons. Coaches were concerned with his size. He is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds.

But Nabors never let their doubt bother him or deter him from his dream of playing college football as a scholarship athlete in Folsom Field. His parents were in the stands Saturday and they were able to immediately celebrate the achievement when he came off the field and informed them.

"It means a lot," Nabors said. "It's one of the biggest dreams I've had in my life to earn a Division I scholarship. To get it at the University of Colorado where I always wanted to be is great."

Nabors was the second leading rusher for the Buffs in Saturday's scrimmage, carrying the ball 10 times for 58 yards. He also caught one pass for 15 yards.

Kicking problems

Three new place-kickers are competing this spring for the right to handle kickoffs, field goals and extra points next season.

Aric Goodman, a product of Cherry Creek High School and a transfer from Wyoming, had the best day Saturday on what was a tough day all around in the kicking game. Goodman, Jameson Davis and walk-on Alex Metskas combined to make just four of eight field goal attempts on a blustery day in Boulder.

"There is good potential there so I think that will be okay," Hawkins said.

No. 44 tackles well

Walk-on Bryan Stengel led the Buffs with 11 tackles Saturday and fellow walk-on Brandon Gouin, who is wearing No. 44, formerly worn by Jordon Dizon, finished with 10 tackles.

Gouin was a star quarterback at Boulder High.

Dizon was the leading tackler on the team and in the Big 12 Conference last season. He finished his career with 444 total tackles.

Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Conrad Obi had a strong day with a sack and two passes batted down.

Wide receiver Markques Simas blocked a punt and cornerback Jimmy Smith made the recovery.

Notable

About 40 high school juniors watched the scrimmage as part of junior day Saturday. Hawkins lingered on the field for about 30 minutes afterward speaking with prospects and their parents. ... The first offensive line on the field Saturday featured Nate Solder playing left tackle, Devin Head at left guard and Erick Faatagi at right guard with Daniel Sanders at center and Ryan Miller at right tackle. Head is competing with redshirt freshman Mike Iltis and the two alternate each day with who begins practices or scrimmages. ...

The starters at cornerback were Gardner McKay and Cha'pelle Brown, who moved inside in the nickel package with Jimmy Smith taking over on the outside. Starting defensive tackle George Hypolite didn't participate and redshirt freshman Eugene Goree took his place, playing with Brandon Nicolas, Maurice Lucas and Marquez Herrod.