June 16 — The last of La Cueva’s “Big Three” has made his decision.
La Cueva High School offensive lineman Mark Handy announced his commitment to Minnesota on Sunday via a social media post.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Handy made his decision after taking an official visit to Minneapolis this weekend. The three-star prospect held 17 total offers, with 12 from Power 5 schools such as Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, Utah, Cal, Texas Tech and TCU.
The Golden Gophers, however, represented Handy’s only Big Ten offer — one he received after taking an unofficial visit to Minnesota this spring. His fifth and final official visit sealed the deal for one of the state’s highest-rated recruits.
“They just checked all the boxes for me: good academics (and) I really liked the place,” he told the Journal on Sunday. “And I think, most importantly, just the people and the community there, I really feel like I fit into it.”
A star left tackle and state champion wrestler at La Cueva, Handy developed a reputation among the recruiting services as a “mauler” on the Bears’ 2023 state title team. He said there could be more time to attack, but Minnesota offensive line coach Brian Callahan and the staff liked him for the versatility he brings to the table.
“They plan to use me in every way,” he said. “They think physically I could play any position (and) that’s what they like to recruit. I could play tackle, but if they needed to move me to guard or center, I could definitely (play there) )..”
Handy said he had always planned to make his decision in late June or early July, after taking all of his official visits. But with “so many guys committing so quickly” — and feeling like he had found the right school — he decided to commit a little earlier than expected.
“Definitely some relief that no one has committed before me or something,” he said. “Now I can relax and focus on my senior year, and I don’t have to worry about (where) I’m going to sign.”
An incoming veteran, Handy is the last of La Cueva’s “Big Three” football prospects to commit. Bears quarterback Cam Dyer committed to Arizona State to play wide receiver on June 4, while linebacker Mason Posa committed to Wisconsin — the Golden Gophers’ main rival — last week.
“I think (it’s) really cool,” Handy said when asked about the possibility of facing one of his La Cueva teammates with Paul Bunyan’s ax on the line. “Maybe that influenced the decision a little bit, but yeah, I’m excited about it and he’s excited.”
