Football
season is officially here as the Colorado Buffaloes reported today and have
their first practice tomorrow, Saturday, August 2. The team has exactly four weeks to prepare
for the season opening game against little brother (who actually have 2 less
days as csu “players” report Sunday) in Denver on August 29. There is a ton to be excited about as well as
a plethora of questions to answer as camp begins. Since practices are open to
the public and I have nothing better to do, I will hit up a few sessions and
give some updates and impressions over the next two weeks. Here are my dos pesos heading into the fall on
each position grouping with projected starters, depth and possible impact of
any incoming freshmen. The guys that I especially like are italicized. Everyone else always
starts with the QBs and the offense and ends with special teams, so I am going
about it in reverse.
Special
Teams: We know the kicker (Will Oliver), we know the
punter (Darragh O’Neill), we hope the
Mexicano (Diego Gonzalez) wins the
kickoff job (he hadn’t surpassed Oliver yet by the end of the spring), and we
know next to nothing about the returners, except that Nelson Spruce is likely the
sure-handed guy on punts and will keep the job if no one else grabs it in
August. The team will be breaking in a new
long snapper in JC transfer Tucker Smith. During the spring, the team didn’t
really practice live kickoffs and returns at all, and punt returns were minimal
as well. So, basically, the return positions are all wide open and there for
the taking and numerous freshmen, including redshirt DB Ryan Moeller, will be
given the opportunity to win the return jobs.
This will be a point of focus for the coaches Neinas and MacIntyre, as
well as media and fan observers (like me) during practices.
Cornerbacks:
What has been a nightmare position for many years, is finally starting
to look respectable, on paper and even on the field. The team has stockpiled some decent talent
and there will be some serious competition for playing time in this pass happy
conference. Greg Henderson is already
a senior, is probably the most underrated player in the Pac-12 and will be counted
on to lock down one side. So. Chidobe Awuzie will be a big-time
contributor again this season, likely manning the (basically starting) nickel
slot again as he did as a true freshman.
The main competition is at the second CB spot between incumbent Kenneth
Crawley and transfer Ahkello Witherspoon,
who was the star of the spring game and is much more aggressive to the ball.
That is four pretty solid corners and they still have some potential talent in
Yuri Wright, John Walker and others. Freshman Jaisen Sanchez should be able to
redshirt.
Safeties: While maybe not yet considered a
position of strength, this group is also pretty deep with at least five players
who could garner some field time. They
are led by a solid senior, Jered Bell,
who will not sprint by anyone, but brings a lot of experience to the free
safety position. The biggest question is
who will flank him? Will Marques Mosley
ever live up to the expectations set by playing as a true freshman or has he
been permanently surpassed by So. Tedric
Thompson? Undersized Sr. Terrell
Smith is finally healthy but as usual is not being talked about much; somehow
he has always found a way to get on the field, and should line up at least in
dime packages. The team also added Travis
Talianko, who transferred from a JC via San Jose St. and will contribute at
least on special teams. The last wild card is R-Fr.Ryan Moeller, who
is a walk-on but has impressed many with his hustle and play (a BoulderDevil
favorite) and is not content to just play special teams. Evan White has a lot of potential and may
play as a true frosh, but it will be mostly for special teams, as it will be
hard (I still can’t believe I am writing this) to crack the defensive lineup at
this point.
Note: Charles
Clark will coach the entire secondary this year (with help from MacIntyre, but Andy
LaRussa moves from CBs to DEs) and he knows his group is probably going to be
underrated and underestimated early in the season and will look to surprise
some opponents. I expect some picks
early in the schedule, especially if they generate some pass rush up front, at
least through the first couple conference games before the opponents get
tougher and teams start to adjust.
Linebackers: This is yet another grouping that has been
building some depth and is finally starting to look like a Pac12 worthy unit. Addison
Gillam is a sophomore captain who will rarely leave the field , an all-conference
candidate (or more) who is the unquestioned leader of this defense in every way. Who plays alongside him, will depend on the
opponent and situation. It looks like
the frontrunner to start most days is fellow sophomore, the “really freaking
good”
Kenneth Olugbode, who bulked
up over the summer and hopefully remains the team’s fastest LB with the ability
to cover TEs and pick up RBs coming out of the backfield. The battle for any other playing time is
between transfer Deaysean Rippy, who was underwhelming in the spring, and two
former starters, last year’s third LB Jr. Woodson Greer, and Sr. Brady Daigh (has lost the weight he
was forced to gain by Embree’s staff), who may be counted on as an early down
run-stopper against some teams. This group is receiving an influx of freshman
talent, all of whom will be able to redshirt, unless they are called upon for
special teams duty like Ryan Severson last year.
Defensive
Ends: The fairy tale
ends at the defensive line, at least for now, as there are still way too many
questions here between academics, injuries and general shuffling, we really
don’t know what we are getting here yet.
The d-ends have some definite potential, but just not that much
experience with R-Fr. Derek McCartney
coming off a great spring and veteran Tyler Henington settling in after moving
outside. De’Jon Wilson has never lived up to expectations, but this might
finally be his time after a lot of scout team praise (could also play some inside).
Depth will be provided by youth: Jimmie Gilbert, a contributor last season, is
healthy after missing the spring, and has put on over 20 pounds; So. R-Fr.Markeis
Reed, who had a quiet spring; fellow redshirt Tim Coleman, still not quite recovered
from his Achilles injury. True frosh
Michael Matthewes has a very good chance of sneaking into the rotation. The other frosh, Christian Shaver (although
Coach Jeffcoat was very high on him) and Terran Hasslalbach, will likely
redshirt. Whether or not the line can
create some pressure on QBs will be the key to the success of this defense,
which is probably why LaRussa was moved to coach the ends. Although this group is relatively unknown, they
could end up being the biggest surprise of the year.
Defensive
Tackle: This group has
some numbers, but it is just not clear yet how many and where everyone will
settle, but coaches Jim Jeffcoat and JB Hall (graduate assistant) are excited about
what they have in place. One sure thing
is that Jr. Josh Tupou will start at
one of the tackle spots, but two candidates for the other spot spent the spring
in the library and not the practice fields, leaving the job to Sr. captain Juda
Parker, who moved inside from end. Justin
Solis is good to go academically, at minimum giving them a little depth, but
could also regain his starting job. Samson
Kafovalu still needs to finish some summer work to be eligible but would play
if he is allowed. Undersized Clay
Norgard made some plays in the spring and should finally get on the field. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if one or
even both of the incoming frosh, Eddy Lopez or Jase Franke, end up getting
immediate playing time, especially if Kafovalu doesn’t make the grade(s).
Offensive
Line: As usual, this group is another work in
progress with a lot of questions, even after starting the same five in all
games last year and returning three of them.
The situation remains basically unchanged since the start of spring
ball: we know four of the probable starters-RT Stephane Nembot (beast in run
game but a little scary at times in pass protection), Jr. Kaiwi Crabb and Sr. Daniel Munyer will likely fill the
guard spots, with So. Alex Kelley (mentioned
by Forman as having big summer in weight room) probably at center. The last left tackle position, the one that
protects Sefo’s blind side, is still up for grabs. Coaches, media and fans alike have expected
Jeromy Irwin to finally finish recovering from his off-the-field foot injury
(over a year now) and take the LT slot.
However, Marc Mustoe is listed there for now, with transfer Sully
Wiefels set to join the competition. If
needed Kawai Crabb could move to out to LT, but then they would need a
replacement for him in the middle (possibly Cotner to center and Kelley to
guard). The last wild card here is
Auburn transfer (closer to home, family illness) Shane Callahan, who is
petitioning for a waiver from the NCAA so he wouldn’t have to sit out a year,
and would instantly be in the mix for a tackle spot. With Jonathon Huckins, Sam
Kronshrage, Gerald Kough and others adding depth to the top seven or eight
guys, the incoming freshmen, like Isaiah Holland, will be able to redshirt.
Tight
Ends: This group is probably still a year or two
away from significantly contributing to offensive production, but it appears
So. Sean Irwin has emerged as the starter, with disappointing Sr. Kyle Slavin
and a slew of walk-ons as backups. The very
raw but huge R-Fr. Connor Center could factor in around the goal line. Both true frosh, Dylan Keeney and Hayden
Jones (could also line up on d-line), will get an opportunity to play, if they
are big and strong enough and can figure out the playbook.
Wide
Receivers: This was the group everyone was worried about
after losijng P-Rich, but is now becoming the popular choice for surprise group,
mostly because there is so much depth and potential. Sefo has shown the ability to spread the ball
around and has a lot of weapons to utilize in a variety of formations. The most talked about player this spring was
probably R-Fr. Bryce Bobo, the
offensive star of the Spring game, who was mentioned after almost every
practice and appears to have locked down the starting job opposite Nelson
Spruce (it appears that Bobo has taken care of summer academic requirements). Now a senior, DD Goodson also had a nice spring
and could have a breakout year in the slot. So.
Devin Ross and R-Fr. Elijah Dunston both struggled with injuries this
spring but provide speed and depth, along with Sr. Tyler McCulloch (a former
starter who may not even play that much).
This group still has three true freshmen who could make an impact: four-star
recruit Shay Fields will be one of the most watched players on the practice
fields; Lee Walker turned a lot of heads during the spring; many are excited to
see what versatile Donovan “ultimate scatback” Lee can do. It looks like Jay MacIntyre is being listed
as a WR for now, but I can’t see him contributing any time soon.
Running
backs: This group has
also built some depth, but there are many questions as to what the pecking
order will be this year. Last year’s three leading performers are all back and
will play some role. Christian Powell is
a Doak Walker watch lister although he will only sometimes be the single back, often
lining up as fullback (see below), providing a one-two punch in two-back sets
with the other guys. Although Michael
Adkins was listed fifth on the depth chart before the spring game (mostly due
to having missed practice for injury), he is still expected to be the starter
and probably will end up with the most touches, yards and touchdowns. Sr. Tony Jones made sure nobody will forget
about him with a strong Spring game, and R-Fr
Phillip Lindsay might have been the most talked about offensive player this
spring besides Sefo and Bobo. Sr.
Malcolm Creer even looked good when he touched the ball in scrimmages. Terrence Crowder will likely have to sit. That leaves six horses (seven with scatback
Lee) in the stable, with the two seniors only playing minor roles, enough depth
for now and the immediate future that the team did not feel the need to sign anyone
here.
Fullback: Although the Buffs don’t regularly
employ a fullback they obviously can use Powell, but George Frazier is also an
intriguing linebacker who started practicing at FB before getting injured and
sitting out the spring. If the redshirt
freshman is healthy, the Powell-Frazier combination could be an intimidating
goal-line package.
Quarterback: Sefo Liufau is the unquestioned starter,
voted captain by teammates, looking and sounding more and more in command of
the offense, and improving in all aspects of his game: footwork and mechanics,
general accuracy and arm strength on both short and deep balls, film work and
playbook knowledge, as well as team leadership. They should be able to open up the play book a
lot more this season with his knowledge, experience and versatile stable of
weapons. Jordan Gehrke is the backup
coaches say they feel comfortable with after having seen him in the spring, but
I would prefer that we only see him in mop up time. I do think he can hold off Cade Apsay for the
number two job, hopefully allowing the frosh to redshirt and put two years between
he and Sefo.
See you at practice!
Go Buffs!
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