Another QB transfers and lots of little morsels

July rolls on, taking us that much closer to camp and real football on August 6^th (players report the 5^th).  I had been compiling small bits and was ready to post when the BIG news hit…

The man who would have been Jon Embree’s starter (from all indications at that point anyway), redshirt freshman QB Shane Dillon, who had also tried to finagle it to bring his adopted brother and best friend Jason Gaines to Boulder, has announced he is going to transfer from CU to pursue college basketball, (suddenly) his true love.  He can’t afford to pay his own way and walk-on for Tad so he is just going to go…somewhere.  This was rumored on the internet earlier but nothing was ever substantiated until Twitter blew up this afternoon with the news.  The QB position has now lost three of its top four guys from spring ball.  This gives frosh Sefo Liufau and JC transfer Jordan Gehrke a huge opportunity, as well as giving the possible return of Jordan Webb even more credence.

Summer Workouts: The only member of the staff that is allowed to work with the players during the summer is Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Forman who says that the 20 new freshmen are impressive, already in shape (definitely not usually the case) and bringing the right attitude to Boulder.  He won’t name names but said he expects a few to contribute this fall.  He specifically said that the three guys who enrolled in January-LBs Markeis Reed and Addison Gilliam as well as DE Derek McCartney have all put on significant weight and strength and are looking good.  He also said, although he cautioned not to read anything into it about playing time, but that QB Sefo Liufau is in excellent shape and already running with the older players, who do a lot more running according to Forman.

Offensive lineman Daniel Munyer is recovered from his broken leg in a spring practice fumble drill and working out.  After having focused on weightlifting while he was in a boot, he is focusing on his “footwork, (his) steps and learning the offense.”  He is very confident, saying, “I can make All-Pac-12. I’m always looking to improve and I don’t think this injury changes anything.”   I am not sure if the coaches are still thinking about him for center, but I would think so as Handler and his backups all struggled somewhat with the pistol snaps (shorter than traditional shotgun) this spring.

WR Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Troy Walters did a Q&A on Twitter last week and here are some of the highlights: “all 3 (frosh WRs) have the mindset of contributing this season so camp will be competitive”,

“I am expecting a special season from P-Rich. We will get the ball in his hands as many ways as possible #gamechanger #creativity…has opportunity to be All-American!”,

“u can expect a team that competes every game…Bowl game is the goal”, “to be the BEST in the Pac12!”,

“we will be in pistol at times…several runs and passes out of it. We will be creative…we will be in attack mode…we will have the ability to change tempos easily”,

“we will work on press releases everyday…not letting the DB get his hands on us and disrupt our route”,  “tradition of CU (is) lost to younger generation so that is important to re-establish”,

“the players know we CARE about them so they r buying in”,

“Players are beginning to hold each other accountable on and off the field”,

(downplaying the “stars” system) “what?...stars? I was a 2 star out of HS and look what I did…we don’t look at who’s offered…if we like a kids we r going to offer”.

Recruiting 2014: Eight verbal commits so far: LB Zach Brown (San Diego), TE Dylan Keeney (Granite Bay, CA), S Evan White (Cherokee Trial), LB Rick Gamboa (Chaminade/West Hills, CA-same school as frosh WR Elijah Dunston), QB Cade Aspay (Canyon Country, CA), DB/WR Chance Waz (Pflugerville/Hendrickson, TX), LB Grant Watanabe (San Antonio) and OT Oliver Miller (Longmont/Silver Creek).

BuffPlaybook is doing profiles on the verbals and did an interview with Rick Gamboa’s high school coach (Ed Croson/Chaminade College Prep), who had fabulous things to say about him (no big surprise) being a defensive tackling machine, having been all-state as a sophomore, and being a leader and on-field coach for the defense.  Gamboa was high on CU early after his visit and committed shortly thereafter.

Next up was versatile DB Evan White (Cherokee Trial) who scouts say could play s, possibly corner and even linebacker, and he also excels as a WR.  Safety is the most likely landing spot as he might not be quite fast enough to cover Pac12 receivers, but the type of player (Parker Orms-y?) that can be very effective against some of these versatile offenses because he can move around, cover and hit.

Young prospects get a lot of attention these days with all the sites and “reporters” devoted to high school football and college recruiting.  One of the many questions they are asked is who their favorites are, usually giving a top 3 or 5 or sometimes as many as 10.  CU is showing up on a lot of kids’ lists, recently including CA safety prospect Glen Ihenacho, who lists the Buffs among his top 6.

The state of Colorado’s top prospect, four star 6’2” 226 pound Falcon RB/LB Kallen Ballage, said his top 4 schools are Michigan, Michigan St., Boise St. and Nebraska, but also said that he is still “just playing it by ear” and would not rule at in-state suitors.  CUattheGame poster John coached Ballage in track and said he has run consecutive 4.3 40s and a 10.6 100, and that’s only during his junior season, with one more to play and without any college weightlifting or coaching. His uncle Howard Ballage also played at CU (1976-78) and RB Josh Ford is his cousin (according to an internet poster).  Long shot, but we can hope.

Preseason honors, previews and premonitions:  P Darragh O’Neill continues to rack up the recognition, being named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List.  He was 18^th in the country in yards averaged last year, only his second as a full-time American Football player.

And as he should be, Paul Richardson has been named as a Biletnikoff Award Watch List, although he is up against stiff competition in his own conference from defending winner Marquise Lee of USC among others.

C Gus Handler was named to the Rimington Award Watch List for the second year in a row, even though it’s possible he doesn’t even end up starting there.

Captain and senior LB Derrick Webb is finally getting a little love, being named to the Butkus  Award Watch List, even though Jack Follman of PacificTakes, continuing with his positional previews with the linebackers, completely overlooks Sr. ILB Derrick Webb (only Buff LB worth mentioning at this point), not even including him among “others considered”.   When I asked him what was up with this on Twitter, he replied that LB is very deep in the conference this year: “guys who didn’t make the Top 15 could be Top 5 some years.” I hope Derrick surprises him and many others. 

Follman also ranked the defensive line groups placing the Buffs (projecting DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe, DT Josh Tupou, DT Nate Bonsu, and DE Samson Kafovalu as starters) 11^th (not last!).  He had this to say about CU’s d-line:  “it never seems to matter anymore if the Buffs have experienced players but they do a bit on the line this year. Uzo-Diribe is probably the Buffs best defensive player though and can rush the passer.” They were ranked ahead Arizona, who he described as “one of the worst defenses in the country in 2012 and a lot of that had to do with how weak they are along the line and there's really no reason to think they will be any better in 2013 with limited talent and experience returning.”

Follman didn’t list any DBs among his Pac12 best, but that is hard to argue with, although CB Greg Henderson could be a sleeper pick here.  If S Parker Orms could possibly stay healthy he would warrant some consideration, but that prospect appears doubtful.

Follman and some other Pac12 bloggers also put together their preseason awards and All-conference team and, again this is not really a surprise, but no Buffs were listed, except of course P Darragh O’Neill, who tops just about everyone’s list for Pac12 punter.

ESPN Pac12 Blog did a piece on players “with something to prove” choosing 6 players from the north division and 6 from the south.  For all the obvious reasons, WR Paul Richardson was one of the southern six.
In their QB Preview they put CU in the “We’ll See” category, listed last. “Connor Wood is the favorite over  Shane Dillon* and freshman Sefo Liufau. He has some experience but it's not terribly impressive. Still, Wood had enough talent to be originally signed by Texas. If he gets comfortable and confident, he could be at least solid. It will help having receiver Paul Richardson back.”  *oops not anymore
However, CU got a "Good Shape" at Running Back: "Everybody of note is back, led by 235-pound sophomore Christian Powell, who rushed for 691 yards and seven TDs, averaging a solid 4.4 yards per carry. There's also Tony Jones and Donta Abron to compliment Powell's power with some breakaway ability. Of the Buffs worries, running back is way down the list."

Another cliché preview of Buffs in foxsportssouth article on how new coaches will do, predicts 3-9, but give glimmer of hope for the future: “Progress will come, but it's a slow build in Boulder.”

There is nothing mind-blowing or of particular note from MountainWestConnection’s preview of the Rocky Mountain Meltdown (But what did you expect from anything from that conference?): http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/7/9/4475940/colorado-state-preview-colorado-buffaloes

Other Buff Notes: Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17 at 11am Coach Mike MacIntyre will host another fan forum, using the same format as they did right after he was hired where you listen in on a conference call. You need to register ahead of time and will have the opportunity to ask him a question and/or just listen in. (I will be in a workshop all day so I will have to recap through others’ recaps.) https://registration.broadnet.us/event_registration.php?

Pac12 Media Day is next Friday, July 26.  Coach Mike MacInytre will be accompanied by WR Paul Richardson and DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe and they will be on at 11:00 AM (allegedly).

RB Malcolm Creer, who is healthy and hopes to compete for playing time this year, has also worked hard to overcome his dyslexia and succeed in the classroom as well.  Kudos to him for doing this story and sharing his positive attitude with others who may struggle with a learning disability or even look down at others around them who do.  He takes full advantage of the academic advisors and tutors, and also takes his tests in a separate room with a “reader” who can read the questions to him so that he may focus on the content matter, not the reading (both very common accommodations for students with a learning disability). Creer says, “"Everyone needs extra help with something. It can be extra help on the field or extra help from the coaches with something. Everyone needs help somewhere. So it's just the person I am." He is following in his mother’s footsteps, studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, with the intention of helping others with disabilities. http://www.buffzone.com/ci_23655756/football-cu-buffs-malcolm-creer-overcoming-learning-disability?source=rss_viewed

The Athletic Department is reporting that season ticket renewals are at about 85% of last year.  Considering that they were 1-11 last year and that Buff fans can be very fickle, this is probably a good number. 

Shoutout to Spencer Dinwiddie, who played very well for Team USA at the World University Games, even though they choked, losing to Australia and Canada to finish a very disappointing 9th.

Former Buffs: Besides dan hawkins moving up north to coach the Montreal Alouettes, former Buffs RB Hugh Charles is also tearing it up for the Edmonton Eskimos and was named CFL offensive player of the week for his 11-119 yards rushing day, including a 70-yard TD as well as going 3-27 receiving with another TD.  He is coming off a solid year in which he ran 170-887 with 6 TDs and caught 32-522 yards with 2 more TDs.  He is also making a name for himself up there for his back flips after TDs.
Former CU offensive linemen Marvin Hage (Hamilton) and Edwin Harrison (Calgary) also are getting paid to play in the CFL.

BTW the way, commit Evan White reports that his cousin, JJ Billingsley is a (volunteer?) track and football coach at Overland.

Former Buff WR Scotty McKnight’s mom Kathy is a chef and she recently appeared on the Food Network series “Chopped” where 4 chefs face off against each other using mystery ingredients.  Unfortunately, we didn’t see the end so I don’t know how she fared, but it was nice to see some Buff gear on random cable TV.