We are about a week away from August camp opening and there is a lot to look forward to, as well as a lot to wonder about with Mike MacIntyre's third version of the Colorado Buffaloes. The team returns more depth since anyone can remember, but there are still a lot of questions remaining as to who will be making the plays on the field this fall. Here's a quick snapshot of each position group heading into the first practice August 5th.
Quarterbacks: This is probably the most straight forward group in that Sefo Liufau is the unquestioned starter, just needing to work on protecting the ball and continuing to execute the offense. Jordan Gehrke is the back-up, unless Cade Apsay or Steven Montez blow the roof off the doors. The only wild card is if Montez does anything but straight redshirts.
Running Backs: Coach Clayton Adams returns a trio of experienced runners in Christian Powell, Michael Adkins and Phillip "the Tasmanian devil" Lindsay, all expecting and deserving of touches. They will all get some, especially early, but there are also two true freshmen who still have a say in Dino "don't call me Donald" Gordon and, the name everyone seems to be talking about, the class of 2015's last signing day addition, Patrick Carr. Both the could likely help out on special teams as well, but one will likely redshirt. The intriguing wild card is Aaron Baltazar, who has yet to complete junior college work and enroll, diminishing his chances of making any impact this year.
Wide Receivers: We all know about Nelson Spruce, Shay Fields and Bryce Bobo, but this offense will utilize many more than just three receivers. At least three more, if not all of the following guys should get into the rotation: redshirt sophomore Devin Ross, So. Donovan Lee, redshirt freshmen Lee Walker and Jay MacIntyre, and true frosh Justin Jan, who hopes to jump into Tyler McCulloch's role. The wild card for this group is incoming freshman Isaiah Oliver, who is going to try out with the receivers and cornerbacks. All told, this is a very talented and versatile group that will get overlooked somewhat because of all of the other star power in the conference.
Tight Ends: Junior Sean Irwin is the probable first down starter here, but redshirt freshmen Hayden Jones and Dylan Keeney were expected to contribute last year, before injuries derailed their preseasons. Keeney's size and pass-catching ability make him the most likely to get involved. The wild card would have been Connor Center, but he has recently moved to offensive tackle, so true frosh Chris Bounds will have a chance to play this year.
Offensive Line: Sixty percent of this group is set with senior LT Stephane Nembot and juniors RT Jeromy Irwin and center Alex Kelley. The questions are at guard but it appears that Soph. Gerrad Kough is settled at one guard spot while fellow soph Jonathon Huckins will still battle it out with heralded transfer Shane Callahan for the last spot, the loser becoming the sixth man. Sully Wiefels and Sam Kronshrage are the other two that could possibly factor in.
Defensive Line: There are no less than SIXTEEN young men fighting for a place in this rotation that will likely use 10-12 on a regular basis, depending on how much 3-4 and 4-3 alignments they use. Without the suspended Josh Tupou, lone senior Justin Solis becomes the man in the middle at nose tackle and a lot will be expected of him. The new and improved Samson Kafovalu is listed as the other starter inside, with JC transfer Jordan Carrell expected to get a lot of work. JC greyshirt Leo Jackson and sophomore Eddy Lopez the next two likely to get decent reps. Clay Norgard could find his way onto the field for passing downs. Jase Franke provides depth.
At defensive end the team returns two starters in Derek McCartney and Jimmie Gilbert. Behind them is a stockpile of depth beginning with Tim Coleman and Jaleel Awini, who surprisingly has leapfrogged almost everyone after his position switch and a half (QB to LB to DE), including the versatile D'Jon Wilson, a hopefully healthy Tyler Henington and Terran Hasselbeck (currently listed ahead of Henington). The last of the JC guys Blake Robbins plus highly touted Michael Matthewes sit well down the depth chart and face a tough road getting on the field.
Linebackers: The two rocks here are Addison Gillam, who by all accounts is healthy and ready to go, and Kenneth Olugbode. Part of the answer as to who else plays is contained not just in how much 3-4 Jim Leavitt adds to the team's previous 4-3 alignment, but also how much nickel package is used (maybe more than anything else). The hope is that Deysean Rippy somehow finally makes a fraction of the impact his cousin did and starts to live up to a portion of his four-star national hype. Howeverm there is a ton of depth here even though most of the following guys will have to make their impact on special teams: Rick Gamboa, Christian Shaver, Grant Watanabe, Travis Tailanko, Ryan Severson.
Defensive backs: You know this group is deep when sixth year senior Jered Bell (who was expected to be one of, if not the leader of the defense last year) is listed third on the depth chart at free safety, behind sophomores Evan White and transfer Afolabi Laguda (can also play corner). Tedric Thompson is the starter at strong safety and could actually be the key to this defense. Many forget that not only did he have the team's only three interceptions last year, but when he got injured late against UCLA, the defense lost their mojo and the game, and then never really regained it the rest of the year. They still have achievers (over) Ryan Moeller and (under) Marques Mosley to provide further depth.
At cornerback, we know Ken Crawley will start on one side, probably opposite Chidobe Awuzie, who is also the #1 nickel and could conceivably line up anywhere in the secondary if needed. Akhello Witherspoon and John Walker are right behind them both, leaving Yuri Wright, redshirt frosh Jaisen Sanchez plus true frosh Oliver (see WR) and Nick Wilson fighting for some field time. The ones that can best support on special teams will also get to back up the defense.
Special Teams: This whole group is a wild card and overall a scary prospect, especially with the coverage woes that Toby Neinas' previous units have produced. The only piece set in virtual stone is true freshman Alex Kinney being anointed the punter. The placekicking duties are completely wide open and make go right up to kickoff in Hawaii between Kinney, Mexican Diego Gonzalez and Chris Graham, who was recently awarded a scholarship. Punt return is currently listed as Nelson Spruce OR Shay Fields, but some freshmen will certainly be given looks here, as well as at kickoff return, which is "TBA". I am surprised that Phillip Lindsay is not listed here and would be more surprised if he was not one of the two guys lined up for the first kick.
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