At the surface, mixed martial arts (MMA) and football don’t seem to have a lot in common. Yet, Colorado commit Drew Sapp’s violent mindset could be attributed to his early life experiences from both.
Football wasn't the first sport the three-star defensive end excelled at. That diverse athletic background has made him one of Lakeland High School (Fla.)' s top players.
“I always played sports. I did MMA, wrestling, jujitsu, and then I played sports, like basketball and soccer growing up,” Sapp told BuffStampede.com. “I started off with flag football until I got into like the eighth grade. And then that's when I really fell in love with football.”
As Sapp advanced onto tackle football, the skills from wrestling particularly stood out during his transition on the defensive line. Hand fighting, footwork, leverage and takedowns are some of the shared traits between the sports. But for him, it all starts upstairs.
“I think the biggest thing that I took away from wrestling is the mindset aspect,” Sapp said. “You just have to be such a dog to keep fighting when you're tired in wrestling. I really took that away from wrestling and put it into my game.”
Although he played many sports during his life, in Sapp’s sophomore year he decided to put full effort into playing football. He saw himself making it the furthest in pads, and manifested the outcome. That didn’t just mean on the field, but taking time to get extra coaching and technique after hours.
His mother would drive him to different sessions, and both of his parents were bought into the dream. Working with a personal trainer, he studied the game and where he could improve.
“I would stay there until 11 o'clock before the game two days later, just looking at everything I could find and picking apart pieces of the offensive linemen's game,” Sapp said. “The way he turned his ankle is like an indicator: he's coming at me. The way the quarterback's set up, just a bunch of different things. So I'm really trying to make sure my IQ's the best it can be.”
The hard work for Sapp paid off. Learning from his sophomore campaign pushed him into his best year yet in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge had a dominant junior season, recording 74 tackles, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
A combination of controlled aggression and calculated moves molded Sapp into the player he is today.
“I just feel like there's a whole game plan until somebody gets hit in the mouth and then they kind of just forget about everything. That's what I kind of bring to the table,” Sapp said. “I have the technique, I have the tools. I can use finesse and speed, but when it's time, I'll run you slap over if I have to.”
Playing in the trenches, Sapp absorbs more contact than the average player. His game plan for the big offensive linemen is simple in his mind.
“Not a lot of people can stand there in front of me and just keep taking it, because I'm just going to keep coming,” Sapp said.
After his junior season, the offers ramped up, and playing Division I football would be a real opportunity. Looking the part and having the stats to back it up was enough to put him on Colorado’s radar.
“I was getting weekly calls twice a week from different people,” Sapp said. “I was getting calls from Johnnie Mack, [George] Helow, I was even getting Coach Prime to call me. He was just checking on me; you really feel how interested and how much love they're trying to show.”
Sapp made it to Boulder during the June 12 recruiting weekend and felt the presence of family from the coaching staff. Helow, who coaches the edge room, was the one to pick up Sapp from the airport and make an impression while he was on campus.
By the end of his trip on Sunday, June 14, Sapp made his verbal commitment to the university. Still with a full senior year ahead, it’ll be six months minimum (if he early enrolls) before Sapp has the opportunity to get to work at CU.
His expectation is to carry on the momentum from the offseason and give back to his program.
“The big thing I want to do before I leave is, everything that I'm learning from my trainer, I'm coming back to my high school and teaching all my guys,” Sapp said. “So this year, when people look at my high school team, I want them to be able to say that's the best D-line in Florida right now.”
The selfless mentality has been noticeable amongst CU's commits for the class of 2027. The Buffs want the character traits they shouldn’t have to teach. And it’s never mattered whether on the mat, court or field; Sapp has set the example his entire life.
“I've always had that leader aspect a part of me, that's why I'm really excited to get up there to Boulder and try to find my way in that leader room and be a captain,” Sapp said. “I'm just a very physical, violent guy, and I'm coming to start as early as I can and give Buff Nation the best version of myself I can be.”
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