Sneak peek at next year's CU Buffs

The Buffs enter Mike MacIntyre’s first full offseason with a growing sense of hope but still with a lot of questions.  There are certainly many things and young players to be excited about, but the biggest areas of concern remain quite large, and the immediate answers do not appear to be on the roster, unless they are well hidden and as of yet unrecognizable.  The team does not lose a ton of seniors (14) and less than half of those were regular starters.  Of course, the biggest loss is in the form of a junior going pro. However, next year’s team will be loaded with around 25 seniors, with as many as 15 in contributing roles.  They also have a favorable schedule with three winnable non-conference games (always beatable csu, FCS UMass and winless Hawaii), plus no Stanford again in Pac12 play. Six wins and a bowl game will be a little more realistic and attainable, but by no means a certainty.  The current recruiting class appears to be shaping up nicely, but they don’t want to count on too many true freshmen again.  Here’s a first peek at how the roster and depth chart project for next season.  I would still expect more attrition by the time fall camp rolls around, especially right after spring ball.

Offense

QB: This is a position that does not have a lot of intrigue in the immediate future, except maybe who backs up Sefo next year.

Key returning: So. Sefo Liufau is the starter as he showed talent, poise and leadership as a freshman. The best news is that he still has a lot of room to improve and will work hard in the offseason studying film, working on his accuracy, especially with the long ball, as well as tightening up his footwork and mechanics.  Sr. Connor Wood will battle Jr. Jordan Gehrke for the backup job.

Key (or not so key) losses: Jordan Webb (real reason for “not so key” tag), Stevie Joe Dorman is transferring to West Texas so he can actually play.

Help on the way? Cade Aspay is the 2014 QB commit and most plans would have him redshirting this year, in order to be Sefo’s backup for two years before taking over down the road.

RB: This might actually be one of the deepest positions on the roster and returns the top three performers.

Key returning: Jr. Christian Powell, So. Michael Adkins and Sr. Tony Jones will likely to share the load again next year as they did this season, but I expect Adkins to eventually become the main ball carrier.  Jr. Donta Abron is next in line, plus Malcolm Creer, who has never fully recovered from his freshman knee injury.

Key (or not so key) losses: Only seldom-utilized FB/TE Alex Wood graduates from this grouping.  Terrence Crowder never worked his way back onto team after suspension.

Help on the way? Phillip Lindsay redshirted and is itching to go, now fully recovered and after having gotten a lot of praise and mentions of playing time in August, but could also end up at DB.  Sr. Josh Ford is petitioning for a 6^th year of eligibility based on his injury history, including all of last year.  There will be couple of recruits like Jomon Dotson, but one would have to swivel some serious heads in fall camp to crack this lineup.

WR: This group is also actually quite deep, even with the loss of Paul Richardson and rumored loss of Jeff Thomas, with a lot of talent still waiting in the wings.

Key returning: Troy Walters has a lot of experience to work with, starting with Jr. Nelson Spruce (developed into a really good receiver this year),  and three seniors, led by slot man DD Goodson (needs to be more consistent in route running) and less used Keenan Canty and Tyler McCulloch; but there is also a lot of young talent, beginning with So. Devin Ross, who showed some flashes, literally, and who P-Rich says is as fast as he is.

Key (or not so key) losses: The one loss is absolutely huge, and even with some talented youngsters, none are the game changer that P-Rich was.  Not sure if we count Jeff Thomas who could never get his crap together to get on the field.

Help on the way? RS-Frosh Elijah Dunston and Bryce Bobo (high praise from MacIntyre for scout team work) both have the potential to crack the rotation (leap-frogging Canty and McCulloch) and it would not be unheard of for a fast true freshman to sneak into the lineup as well.

FB: This is an interesting position, very similar to TE in the offense, which is a big reason TE/RBs are coached by one guy (Klayton Adams).  Like TE, is can become a bigger part of the offense if there is talent there, but it is also somewhat opponent and game plan dependent.

Key returning: Jordan Murphy was the “starter”, which actually amounted to one start. 

Key (or not so key) losses: Alex Wood, who also played TE.

Help on the way? The most intriguing redshirt might be George Frazier, who moved from LB late in camp and has impressed on the scout team.  He can certainly hit if he learns how to actually block, and could be a sneaky factor if he can also learn to catch and hold onto the ball.

TE: This is the grouping in biggest need of help as they desperately needed someone to catch the ball from here and take some pressure of Sefo.

Key returning: Sr. Kyle Slavin will most likely be the starter (I would love to finally see him blossom into a pass-catching weapon) with So. Sean Irwin backing up and playing in jumbo double TE packages.

Key (or not so key) losses: Scott Fernandez and Alex Wood will both be missed for their blocking and leadership, but rarely contributed in the passing game (until Scooter at Utah anyway).

Help on the way? Commit Dylan Keeney is in line for immediate playing time, and possibly even a starting slot if he can block well.  There are also a couple of intriguing, raw redshirts in 6’6 Robert Orban and 6’8 Connor Center, the baseball player who suddenly took up football and became a hot prospect. They definitely need more depth here.

O-line: Although they lose their two most experienced players, they were also the most penalized of the group.

Key returning: Srs. Daniel Munyer and Kaiwi Crabb (likely at center) in the middle, Jr. Stephane Nembot at right tackle (although he has got some work to do), Jr. Alex Kelley was main backup at guard.

Key (or not so key) losses: Although they were starters, C Gus Handler and LT Jack Harris were by no means irreplaceable.

Help on the way? Jeromy Irwin redshirted this year after a yard work injury and will probably battle fellow RS-Soph. Marc Mustoe for the tackle spot opposite Nembot. Alex Kelley was the sixth lineman last year and will take one of guard spots.  Jr. Brad Cotner can back up any of the three inside positions. RS-Fr. Jonathon Huckins was listed as emergency backup tackle all year while redshirting so maybe he can challenge for the tackle spot, but all others likely will be down the depth chart.  All 2014 commits should redshirt as is normally the case with lineman.

Defense

D-line: This was arguably the worst unit on the team and I am not sure the outlook is that much better as they lose their most talented pass-rusher, but do not have many more playmakers waiting in the wings.  A couple of guys will need to step up their game in the spring and summer if this defense is going to challenge anyone in the Pac12. 

Key returning: The Buffs do return a lot of d-linemen with experience; it’s just that they have not really been all that good up to this point. At defensive tackle they have returning starters Josh Tupou and Justin Solis, plus their top backup Tyler Henington, all juniors, but that is about it.  Defensive end is much deeper with Sr. Juda Parker and So. Jimmie Gilbert as the probable starters.  Sophs. De’Jon Wilson and Samson Kafovalu played both inside and out this year and will certainly be part of the rotation; Sr. Kirk Poston didn’t really play much this season but could be counted on for some veteran snaps all across the line where needed, likely inside.

Key (or not so key) losses: DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe, DT Nate Bonsu

Help on the way? There are a few DEs redshirting, Markeis Reed, Derek McCartney and Tim Coleman, who could easily crack the lineup next year, as well as 4 more d-lineman who have verbally committed, of which we should see at least one play immediately; if Lopez can keep up, he has the best size to help inside where they need it the most.  However, they could definitely use some more size and strength inside and I was a little surprised that they did not sign a JC guy here. 

LB: This position is a general strength, especially as the other two defensive units have struggled so much.

Key returning: So. Addison Gillam will lead this defense for three more years.  Woodson Greer III will suddenly be a senior and the other entrenched starter.  Sr. Brady Daigh is the likely third starter in the base package, but he will head to the sideline when they are in nickel, which will be more often than not in the Pac12.

Key (or not so key) losses: Derrick Webb will be a huge loss from a leadership standpoint, but when Greer was healthy, he was already starting to take snaps from Webb in the nickel package.  Paul Vigo was another good “locker room guy” who was a special teams stalwart.

Help on the way? Deaysean Rippy, cousin of former Buff star Doug, transferred from Pitt and was a four-star prospect out of high school, but has not gotten to play yet.  There are a bunch of other LBs on the roster, but not sure if any can crack the lineup just yet, including Sophs. Clay Norgard, Ryan Severson, Kenneth Olugbode, plus seniors KT Tu’umalo and Lowell Williams, all of whom have played a lot on special teams but very little on defense.  George Frazier is also a possibility but he is also working at fullback.  If one guy besides Rippy breaks through from that group, it would likely be Olugbode, who filled in for Derrick Webb quite well in the finale and upgrades the unit’s speed.

Safety: This group has been a huge liability in the speed department in the Pac12.  There are just too many good wide receivers that cannot be covered one-on-one, not mention some great tight ends and running backs who catch the ball as well.  This will start as a three-way battle but any true frosh will get his chance as well.  I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see a surprise name at one spot when they open the season.

Key returning: Sr. Jered Bell is a possible captain, but he was also benched in the finale and is not known for his speed. So. Tedric Thompson teamed with Jr. Marques Mosley for most of the Utah game and they were less scary.

Key (or not so key) losses: Really they just lose Parker Orms here, and more for his spirit and leadership than his overall play as Thompson played quite well in his absences.

Help on the way? The Buffs will get back Sr. Terrel Smith, who sat out this year after shoulder surgery.  Smith lends some experience and is small but a big hitter and has always found a way onto the field.  Otherwise, there is not much depth, unless someone moves from corner which is a definite possibility, maybe Sr. Josh Moten, who was also poised for a big year until injury, or one of the incoming CBs White or Sanchez.

CB: The Buffs return most everyone at corner, and even will have some depth next season, but they were still all roughed up quite a bit throughout this past year and gave up way too many yards, big plays and touchdowns.  Even with marked improvement from the previous campaign, this unit was still a weak spot in the defense and is in serious need of another huge leap.

Key returning: Even supposed “lockdown corner” Sr. Greg Henderson was beaten numerous times and quarterbacks were not afraid to go to his side this year.  Jr. Kenneth Crawley was much improved over his freshman seasonn but was still beaten a few times per game (he is a great open field tackler though). So. After Gillam, Chidobe Awuzie might have been the biggest freshman surprise last year, starting most games at nickelback; I actually expect him to take the starting job from Crawley.  Sophs. Jeff Hall and John Walker got some time also this year.

Key (or not so key) losses: They don’t lose any regular contributors here.

Help on the way? Yuri Wright took the year off to gain weight and get straight academically, and will probably be counted on to finally contribute. JC signee Akhello Witherspoon has size and speed and could have an impact immediately.  Moten could possibly help here as well, and it’s remotely possible that Philip Lindsay could end up here, although he excelled at RB on the scout team.  Incoming frosh Evan White and Jaisen Sanchez are more likely slated for a redshirt year.

Special Teams: This was once again an embarrassing aspect of the team, finding new ways almost every game to make a big play, in favor of the opposition.  Toby Neinas is a full-time, well paid coordinator with no other team responsibility and they were still well below average; they need improvement in almost every sub-area of special teams. Although they got better at both punt and kickoff coverage after a dismal beginning, they rarely even used their best weapon in O’Neill’s big leg, usually opting to have him with the “safer” directional rugby style, which he dislikes and they even managed to get one blocked anyway. 

Key returning: One more year of Darragh O’Neill punting and Wil Oliver placekicking.  Ryan Severson and Nelson Spruce both return (pun intended) but I would love to see them both replaced with someone faster.

Key (or not so key) losses: LS Ryan Iverson is graduating.

Help on the way? There will be a new long snapper as the Buffs used a scholarship on JC man Wyatt Smith who hopefully gives the unit a smooth transition after the very able Ryan Iverson graduated.  It is also very likely there will be a new kickoff specialist in Mexican Diego Gonzalez, who sat out due to ridiculous transfer rules, but has a huge leg and so could also be called upon for the 50-yard+ FG attempts.  As for the returners, I expect open competition with young receivers and DBs joining in; look for RS-Fr. RB/DB Phillip Lindsay, WRs Devin Ross (So.) and RS-Fr. Bryce Bobo and Elijah Dunston, plus a few true frosh to get a shot.