Buena Vista graduate to start at left tackle for CU
By Greg Piper
University of Colorado football fans may see a familiar name on the offensive line this fall - Nate Solder, a 2006 Buena Vista High School graduate will start at left tackle.
He was recruited as a tight end, and elected to redshirt his freshman season because the Buffs were relatively set the tight end position.
Solder gained 25 pounds to help his transition from tight end to left tackle. Coaches claim the extra weight hasn't compromised his speed.
He saw playing time in all regular season games last year, starting four, and the Independence Bowl.
Solder's parents, Ed and Peri Solder, have lived in Buena Vista since 1999. They operate a bed and breakfast in Leadville, and said they will attend every Colorado home game.
In high school, Solder was voted an all-state tight end performer on offense and on defense as a linebacker. He received honors twice as the Tri-Peaks League outstanding linebacker.
Solder was outstanding in the classroom, graduating with a 3.93 grade point average. He was a National Honor Society member and in 2005 was inducted into the Colorado chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame as a scholar-athlete.
Excellence in the classroom continued at University of Colorado where he was named to the Academic All-Big Twelve team as a redshirt freshman. He majors in biology.
Solder was recruited by Iowa State, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado State, and Dartmouth, where he could have played basketball and football. His parents said University of Colorado was always his first choice.
The Buffaloes begin non-conference play Sunday at Invesco Field in Denver against the Colorado State Rams.
Off the field, Solder is an accomplished artist, enjoys skiing, kayaking, and fishing.
Solder has an older brother, John, who played football for Stanford.
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