Spring Practice News

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Spring Practice News

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… Roster review: Quarterbacks … Wide Receivers … Tight Ends/Fullbacks … Running Backs … Offensive Line … Defensive Line … Linebackers … Defensive Backs … Special Teams

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March 26th

Offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini “getting into the flow” of play-calling

From the Daily Camera … Over the past month, spring football practices were crucial for the development of several Colorado players, as well as for the new coaches on the staff.

It was also an important time for co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini.

Entering his third year with the Buffaloes, Chiaverini is taking over as the play-caller this year and the 15 spring practices gave him on a jump on his new role.

“It’s just me getting in the flow of calling it,” he said. “That’s really all it is. The offense, we’ve tweaked it here and there and we’ve added some pieces to it and we’ve (mixed up personnel) on some stuff to help us be able to go fast.

“I’ve been in this offense. It’s just a matter of me getting in the flow of calling it.”

During the past two years, Chiaverini had input on the play calls, but it was Brian Lindgren – now at Oregon State – making the calls. After 15 practices, including three main scrimmages, Chiaverini said he feels comfortable in the new role.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 25th

Neill Woelk Buffs’ spring review – defense

From CUBuffs.com … As the 2017 season wore on last year, one of Colorado’s bigger areas of concern on defense was a lack of depth.

The Buffs simply didn’t have as many “Pac-12 ready” players as they would have liked, particularly down the stretch, when injuries and the simple wear-and-tear of the season began to exact their toll.

This spring, Colorado coaches believe they took a significant step in addressing that need at virtually every position group, improving depth across the board.

CU wrapped up its spring practice session on Friday, which means the Buffs now have the next four months to spend in strength and conditioning sessions, player-led voluntary practice sessions and video study. Coaches, meanwhile, will look at video, evaluate players and schemes, and begin the process of getting their fall camp plans in order.

Earlier this weekend, we took a look at what the spring drills revealed for the CU offense.

Today, a breakdown of the defense:

… Continue reading story here …

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Video of CU’s Football spring awards breakfast

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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March 24th

Neill Woelk Buffs’ spring review – offense

From CUBuffs.com … Mike MacIntyre‘s Colorado Buffaloes wrapped up spring drills Friday morning with one more scrimmage in Folsom Field, getting in plenty of situational work with a full crew of officials on hand.

As has been the case throughout the spring, both sides of the ball made plays — something CU coaches say they wanted to see, particularly as they try to bring along young players and build depth.

But now, spring is over and the next time the Buffs put on pads will be in fall camp. In the interim, players will focus on four months of strength and conditioning, along with voluntary player-led practices. Coaches, meanwhile, will study film of spring practices, look at all the different personnel groups, decide what they like the most, then begin to incorporate that into their plans for fall camp.

What did spring reveal for the Buffs? Over the next couple of days, we’ll look at the offense and defense and break down each position group.

Today, the offense:

… Continue reading story here …

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March 23rd

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media (Friday)

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

Players who made “a jump” this spring … OL Jake Moretti, RB Alex Fonenot, OL Brett Tonz, OL Colby Pursell, OL Will Sherman, OL Dillon Middlemiss, DL Javier Edwards, LB Akil Jones, CB Chris Miller, S Kyle Trego, LS J.T. Bale …

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Safeties coach ShaDon Brown: “I don’t ever  see an injury as a negative”

From the Daily Camera … Although several of his players spent all or part of the spring on the sidelines with injuries, Colorado safeties coach ShaDon Brown always focused on the bright side.

“I don’t ever see an injury as a negative,” Brown said this week. “We have the mentality of next man up and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

It’s a good thing for CU that spring practices come to a close on Friday, however, because they’re running out of safeties.

Senior Evan Worthington spent the final two thirds of spring on the sidelines with a concussion. Senior Jaisen Sanchez has continued a career-long battle to stay healthy, dealing with more knee issues. Newcomers Aaron Maddox (shoulder) and Ray Robinson (knee) missed the entire spring.

Brown takes comfort, however, in the fact that those who played got better, and that reinforcements are on the way.

“You never want to see any of your guys hurt,” Brown said. “Right now we’ve got four guys out. I expect all will be back in the fall, but it gives us a chance to play some other guys (in spring) and get more reps and gives a chance for other guys to step up.

“This spring has allowed those guys to see that, ‘Hey I’m one play away from being the guy.’ It always helps when they get to actually do it, so those injuries are not as bad as they may seem.”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 22nd

Junior college transfer cornerback Delrick Abrams “getting a little more comfortable” 

From the Daily Camera … Delrick Abrams Jr. came to Colorado in January as a highly regarded junior college prospect at cornerback.

With spring practices nearly complete, Abrams has hardly disappointed.

The junior has made quite an impression in his first spring with the Buffaloes, and on Wednesday, he picked off three passes during a practice that was open to the public.

“He’s been getting his hands on the ball, but hasn’t had as many picks. Today he was getting it,” CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “Every day I see him getting a little more comfortable, a little more comfortable, a little more comfortable.

“He really understands more what to do, so he’s now more confident, so he reacts quicker and he plays faster and he’s able to make those plays. I see him getting better every day.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Offensive lineman Jacob Moretti happy to return to the playing field

From CUBuffs.com … When the Colorado Buffaloes began spring ball, it had been roughly 19 months — two full football seasons — since Buffs redshirt freshman Jacob Moretti had put on pads.

For a young man who has been playing the game for almost as long as he can remember, it was an eternity.

But last week, after multiple surgeries in the wake of a horrific knee injury, after countless hours in the weight room and more time than he’d care to remember watching his teammates practice, Moretti put on the pads, pulled his helmet over his head and felt the familiar “thud” of a full-contact drill.

It was a moment he won’t forget.

“It kind of felt like a dream,” Moretti said. “It’s been a while waiting for it to happen … it felt pretty good, to be honest. Just getting back out there and practicing on Folsom — that was cool.”

No doubt.

Moretti, a highly recruited offensive lineman at Pomona High School in Arvada, suffered his knee injury early in fall camp of his senior year. He immediately underwent surgery and missed the 2016 season.

But Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre and his staff never quit recruiting Moretti, and their efforts paid off. Moretti chose Colorado, then enrolled at CU in the spring of 2017, aiming to speed up his rehabilitation as much as possible while also getting into the weight room.

His reasoning was simple: if he couldn’t practice, he could still lift weights, be around the program and soak up as much as possible in that regard.

It was a difficult process, to say the least. There were setbacks along the way that required more surgery. He missed the entire 2017 season. There were days when progress was hard to measure, days when it didn’t seem as if he was making headway — days when the idea of putting the pads on once again seemed like a distant dream.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 21st

Mike MacIntyre talk with media post-practice (Wed.)

… Second to last practice of the spring … Coach MacIntyre talks at length about defensive linemen, defensive backs, the development of Steven Montez, Sam Bennion opting for medical school, summer workouts and satellite camps …

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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March 20th

CU integrating junior college tight end Darrion Jones slowly

From the Daily Camera … One of the most intriguing additions to the Colorado football team this winter was tight end Darrion Jones, but he and the Buffaloes have their work cut out for them to get him ready for game days.

A transfer from Los Angeles Harbor College, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Jones brings a unique set of skills to the tight end position, but as the Buffs go into their final few days of spring practices, he’s still trying to grasp the offense.

“That’s for sure,” tight ends coach Gary Bernardi said. “There’s a lot to learn. (CU’s tight ends) have a lot to do with all the formations, and over the course of the game they could actually line up in six different places. All those things take various techniques.”

Jones, who will be a junior and has two years to play, caught 41 passes for 795 yards and five touchdowns last season at LAHC, and he could be a dynamic weapon for the Buffs. It’s going to take some time to get him to that point, however.

“He’s a little bit bigger target, but he needs to get stronger, too,” Bernardi said. “The game goes a lot faster than what he’s used to, which is a normal situation (for newcomers).”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 19th

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media (Monday)

From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com:

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Defense has good chemistry: “I feel like we’re more of a family”

From the Daily Camera … Throughout this spring, Colorado safety Kyle Trego has noticed a difference in the Buffaloes’ defense.

“Chemistry,” said Trego, a senior entering his third season with the Buffs. “A lot of the guys, we’re all hanging out a lot now, compared to the other years; it was kind of cliques everywhere. Now I feel like we’re more of a family. Chemistry is the biggest part.”

The Buffs are hoping that chemistry leads to better results.

Under the direction of first-year coordinator D.J. Eliot, the Buffs (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12) slipped to ninth in the conference in total defense and sixth in scoring defense last season.

Of course, part of that decline from 2016 — when the Buffs were top three in both categories — can be attributed to inexperience. CU lost 10 key contributors and three coaches from that season going into 2017.

Now entering his second season with the Buffs, Eliot is a lot more comfortable this spring, and the defense has felt like more of a unit.

“I think our defense is close,” Eliot said in echoing Trego’s comments. “I think we have good leaders; Rick Gamboa, Nick Fisher, some of those guys have done a good job of bringing the guys together and leading in the right way and leading by example. I’m pleased with our efforts there”.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 18th

Pac-12 Network video highlights of CU Spring Showcase

Highlights:

Pac-12 Recap

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March 17th

Mike MacIntyre post-scrimmage talk with media 

From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com:

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Laviska Shenault shines in Spring showcase scrimmage

… Related … “Rooney: Buffs’ new-look coaching staff facing tall tasks” … from the Daily Camera

From CUBuffs.com … A theme that has been prevalent throughout spring drills continued to play out Saturday in the annual Colorado football Spring Showcase.

Newcomers and young players vying for playing time are making their cases. While names like Nate Landman, Carson Wells, Chris Miller, Terrance Lang, Laviska Shenault Jr., Colby Pursell, Jacob Moretti and William Sherman — just to name a few — are not yet household names when it comes to the Buffs, they are players who are showing every sign of being ready to make a name for themselves next fall when the Buffs hit Folsom Field for games that count.

Saturday’s showcase, accompanied by a healthy dose of Colorado sunshine, gave an estimated crowd of 4,500 a nice glimpse of Buffs playmakers, with both sides of the ball offering up some big plays.

And, as is always the first wish of every coach when it comes to a spring game or scrimmage, the Buffs emerged virtually unscathed in the injury department.

“There were big plays made on both sides of the ball,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “We’ll go back, look at the film and work from there. I was pleased with the overall effort.”

A quick look at the highlights on both sides:

… Continue reading story here …

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There were only two touchdowns scored in CU’s 2018 spring showcase scrimmage, both by wide receiver Laviska Shenault. The sophomore had only two catches on the day, but both went for scores, coming on a 24-yarder from quarterback Steven Montez on a pump-and-go, with the other on a 14-yarder where Shenault left defenders Nick Fisher and Davion Taylor reaching for air.

Junior Steven Montez had two touchdown passes, but also threw two interceptions (to Kyle Trego and Carson Wells). Overall, Montez finished 8-for-15 for 90 yards (he was also credited with a 24-yard run. Montez scored from about 40 yards out, but since he couldn’t be tackled, he was deemed stopped before reaching the end zone).

Red-shirt freshman quarterback Tyler Lytle saw most of the remaining time behind center, going 9-for-13 for 81 yards. Sophomore Sam Noyer, listed ahead of Lytle on the depth chart, completed one-of-four passes, good for four yards.

The rushing game was largely non-existent, with Steven Montez picking up 43 of the 87 total yards rushing. The backs were led by Alex Fontenot, who had 28 yards on seven carries. The remaining three backs – Beau Bisharat, Kyle Evans, and Donovan Lee – combined for nine carries for 16 yards.

Junior wide receiver Tony Brown led all receivers, with five catches for 58 yards. Juwann Winfree had four catches for 40, while red-shirt freshman Maurice Bell had three catches for 12 yards.

Overall, the Buff offense ran 56 plays from scrimmage, with 87 yards on the ground and 180 through the air … or 4.76 yards per play.

On the defensive side of the ball, a pair of sophomores, cornerback Ronnie Blackmon and linebacker Nate Landman, led the Buffs with five tackles apiece.

On special teams, Davis Price hit all three of his field goal attempts (from 36, 28, and 37), while incumbent placekicker James Stefanou was one-of-two, making a 32-yarder, but missing a 48-yard attempt.

… Attendance for the event was estimated to be 4,500 …

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March 16th

Cornerbacks an “extreme competition”

From the Daily Camera … After spending the second half of last season as a regular in the starting lineup, Colorado cornerback Dante Wigley could have come into this spring feeling comfortable with his spot on the depth chart.

All Wigley has to do, however, is look around him to realize he has no time to rest.

“It’s extreme competition (at corner),” said Wigley, a junior. “All of us can play, for sure. We’re all competing and I can tell they’re definitely pushing me to play harder, play better.”

Wigley (six starts in 2017) and sophomore Trey Udoffia (eight starts) come into this season as the experienced veterans in the cornerback room, but junior college transfer Delrick Abrams and redshirt freshman Chris Miller are pushing for starting roles, as well. Sophomores Ronnie Blackmon and Derrion Rakestraw are competing, as well.

“Guys are competing with one another and I’m always continuing to push these guys to get better and better,” first-year cornerbacks coach Ashley Ambrose said. “We’ve gotten a lot better since we started.

“We have to continue to get better, but I like the competition, and I want these guys to continue to be very competitive with one another and push each other. That’s the only way you can become great in this game.”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 15th

Few surprises expected during Spring Showcase

From the Daily Camera … Colorado head football coach Mike MacIntyre isn’t one that likes to show too much from his team before he has to, so it came as no surprise Wednesday when he said that Saturday’s annual spring showcase will be rather low key.

The Buffaloes will host the spring showcase at Folsom Field at 1 p.m. on Saturday. It will go until about 3 p.m. The first hour is slated to be position drills, followed by about a 50-minute scrimmage. The event is open to fans, and will also be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks.

“We’ll be pretty vanilla out there,” MacIntyre said. “We just want to see us function well and be able to handle all the different situations and put them under different types of pressure.”

MacIntyre said that aside from staying healthy, the goal for the Buffs that day is to work on different situations on the field.

At times in past years, the Buffs have been in tough situations with their depth at different positions going into the spring game, but MacIntyre said there aren’t major concerns on that front this year.

… Continue reading story here …

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Klayton Adams on offensive line: “We have a lot of work to do”

Related … “Buffs’ offensive line improving, but has long way to go” … from the Daily Camera

From CUBuffs.com … Colorado assistant coach Klayton Adams may have had some duties added to his bucket this year, but he also knows everything still starts up front.

Thus, while Adams is no doubt excited about being named CU’s co-offensive coordinator in the offseason, he is also well-aware that any success the offense enjoys has to begin with his position group — the offensive line.

Adams is entering his third spring as the Buffs’ O-line boss.  After a less-than-satisfactory 2017, Adams’ task this year is turning a relatively young and inexperienced group into a cohesive unit by next fall’s Aug.  31 opener against Colorado State.

The job won’t be a complete overhaul.  CU has has two regular starters returning in tackle Aaron Haigler and guard Tim Lynott Jr.  — although Lynott won’t be available until next summer as he continues to rehab an Achilles injury — as well as tackle Josh Kaiser, who also gained some starting experience last year.

But there are also several spots to fill,which has meant a spring of mixing and matching combinations up front as well as getting some players solidified into spots.

Haigler and Kaiser are two big keys to the process, both in terms of their experience and their positions.  After playing most of his career on the right side, Haigler is settling in at left tackle while Kaiser, who got two starts last year at right tackle and two at left, has been the spring leader on the right side throughout the spring.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 14th

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media (Wednesday)

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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March 13th

Linebackers – “You can’t have too many good linebackers”

From CUBuffs.com … Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells once said, “I like linebackers. I collect ’em. You can’t have too many good ones.”

It may be just coincidence, but Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre, one of Parcells’ former assistants, appears to be embracing the same philosophy. The Buffs are fairly loaded at linebacker this year, both inside and out, with a group that includes a healthy dose of veterans and a long list of promising youngsters.

Like Parcells, MacIntyre runs a base 3-4 scheme that requires a variety of talents at the position. Inside linebackers are run stoppers who must also drop into pass coverage on occasion and even once in a while blitz on passing downs. Outside ‘backers must set the edge and make sure running backs and quarterbacks don’t get free outside, while also being premier pass rushers as well as being capable of dropping into pass coverage on a tight end or running back.

“You need good ones and you need a lot of them in a 3-4,” MacIntyre said. “We think we have a pretty good group.”

Inside, there is no shortage of experience for the Buffs, as seniors Drew Lewis and Rick Gamboa both return from starting roles last season, when Lewis led the team in tackles (119) and  Gamboa was second (117). Lewis also had a pair of sacks, two tackles for loss, eight third-down stops and four passes broken up, while Gamboa led the team in third-down stops with 10, along with seven pass breakups and five quarterback pressures.

Both have had solid springs thus far.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 12th

Mike MacIntyre talks with media post-practice (Mon.)

From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com:

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Virtual reality a new tool for the CU coaching staff

From CUBuffs.com … Watching “film” has been a tool utilized by football teams for almost as long as the game has existed.

The benefits are clear: it offers players and coaches the chance to see the entire field at once, giving them the ability to see how plays unfold, how players react in certain situations and what remedies can be utilized to correct errors.

Digital technology has no doubt advanced the process. Today’s video is sharper, “fast forward” and “rewind” are much quicker, and the ability to deliver the video to coaches and players has advanced to the point that by the time practice is over, players and coaches can have video from that practice available on their tablets and desktop computers.

But a fairly recent innovation might provide the most dramatic change in the process in decades:

Welcome to the world of virtual reality and football, a process that now allows players (and coaches) the chance to have a three-dimensional view of action on the field exactly as players saw it unfold in front of them.

This spring, the Colorado football team is utilizing VR for the first time. Players wear small cameras on their helmets in practice and can then don VR goggles later on and review what they saw in 11-on-11 drills, scrimmage situations and even individual work.

“It gives our quarterbacks and our secondary and linebackers a view of live action and the chance to see a play through a player’s eyes,” head coach Mike MacIntyre said. “The quarterback can go back and watch it from his view, not just the (traditional) camera view. It’s the same for the linebackers and safeties. … We’re excited about it because we think it’s going to be a big benefit for us.”

… Continue reading story here …

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ShaDon Brown coach safety Nick Fisher: “Now he’s getting his chance to shine”

From the Daily Camera … Early in Nick Fisher’s career, it was talented veterans standing in his way of a starting role with the Colorado football team.

Last year, a hamstring injury got in his way.

Now a senior, Fisher is hoping this will finally be the year he steps in as a starter for the Buffaloes defense.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Fisher is one of the favorites, along with fellow senior Evan Worthington, to start at safety for the Buffs next season.

“You never know what’s going to happen, just like last year,” Fisher said. “If everything stays well, I think it would be great to compete for a starting job.”

So far this spring, things are going well for Fisher, who made his first career starts at safety in the Buffs’ final two games last season (he had one other start, at nickel, in 2015).

“Now he’s getting his chance to shine and be the guy and he’s doing a good job of that,” CU safeties coach ShaDon Brown said earlier this spring. “He’s a coach on the field for us in the back end. I’m pleased with his development and I’m pleased with his focus and attention to detail in everything that he’s doing right now, as well as helping others.”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 10th

“Both sides made plays” at first CU scrimmage of 2018

From CUBuffs.com …  Saturday’s first major scrimmage of the spring produced — for the most part — what Colorado coaches were looking for: big plays on both sides of the ball, along with signs that both sides have also made progress halfway through spring drills.

Saturday’s workout was the  eighth of the spring, with seven remaining.  The Buffs will scrimmage again next Saturday at Folsom Field in the “Spring Showcase,” set to begin at 1 p.m.

“Both sides made plays,” Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre said.  “We had touchdowns, we had interceptions, we had good tackles, we had good runs.  You don’t want to see one side completely just dominate the whole time. It means the other side might not be what you want.  It looks like there’s a lot of spirited competition out there.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Mike MacIntyre post-scrimmage talk with media (Sat.)

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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Quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper talks with media after Saturday scrimmage

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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Offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini talks with media post-scrimmage

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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March 9th

Notes from CU’s first open practice

From the Daily Camera … The Colorado football team had its seventh practice of the spring on Friday, and its first of three open practices.

Practicing outside at Franklin Field, the Buffs did a lot of position drills in the two-and-a-half hour session, but also some 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work.

Some of the highlights included an interception by sophomore cornerback Ronnie Blackmon with the second-team defense; touchdown receptions from receivers Maurice Bell, Tony Brown and Laviska Shenault; and some good runs by Alex Fontenot, who showed some nice explosion at running back.

A few other notes from the practice:

— Redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Miller has been mentioned this spring by players and coaches as one who has shown improvement, and he showed that on the field several times, matching up well some of the Buffs top receivers.

–Others who have been praised this spring and looked good at times Friday included: offensive linemen Dillon Middlemiss, Jake Moretti and Brett Tonz; tight end Chris Bounds; outside linebacker Dante Sparaco; and safety Nick Fisher.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 8th

Jacob Callier: “I didn’t come here to be a one-down player”

From the Daily Camera … Coming in as a true freshman last season, Jacob Callier was happy to play a supporting role for the Colorado football team.

In preparing for his sophomore year, Callier wants more.

“I’m very determined,” Callier said this week. “I’m going for that starting spot. I didn’t come here to be a one-down player. I came here be the outside linebacker.”

Last season, Callier was CU’s best pass rusher. Although he played just 196 snaps, he led the team with 11 quarterback pressures, while adding a sack. He tied for third on the team with eight third-down stops.

CU’s coaching staff had Callier focus on being a pass rusher last year, rather than forcing him to learn the entire defense.

“It gave me time to develop but it also gave me experience on the field,” Callier said.

… Continue reading story here …

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Offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini pleased with first six practices

From the Daily Camera … CU is 40 percent through spring, having completed its sixth of 15 practices on Wednesday, and co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini said he’s been happy with the progress on that side of the ball.

“I think we’ve made huge jumps from day one to day six, and that’s what you want to see,” he said. “You want to see a natural progression of getting better. It’s not going to be perfect, there’s going to be a lot of mistakes, a lot of young guys getting their first reps, but I’ve been really, really encouraged by how they’ve worked and come to practice and gotten better.”

That’s been particularly true on the offensive line, a group that is loaded with inexperience.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 7th

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media (Wednesday)

From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com:

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March 6th

Chris Bounds the lone returning tight end, but the position is stronger than it has been in years

From the Daily Camera …Like most veteran players on the Colorado football team, tight end Chris Bounds is feeling a lot more at home this spring than he has in the past.

That comes with experience, but for Bounds, it also comes from realizing he doesn’t need to lean on other players anymore.

“It definitely adds confidence,” he said. “Coming into last year, I was the only guy.”

Last year put some pressure on Bounds, as he no longer had Sean Irwin, who graduated after the 2016 season. He also didn’t have George Frazier around as much. While Frazier was still on the team in 2017 and played a big role at tight end, he split his time on defense.

Now, both are gone, and Bounds, as a junior, is the most experienced tight end on the team.

“I lost the two guys that were guiding me,” Bounds said.

No worries, though, as Bounds said he is ready to be that lead dog among the tight ends.

“I feel a lot more comfortable out there,” he said. “It’s a lot easier to get out there and get those plays in. I know the whole offense, and it’s great. I love it.”

CU doesn’t have a big group of tight ends, but led by Bounds, it is a more dynamic group than it has been in the past several years.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 5th

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media (Monday)

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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Nu’umotu Falo “blessed to be back”

From the Daily Camera … It’s been nearly two months since Nu’umotu Falo returned to the Colorado football team, and it’s still a bit odd to not call him N.J.

“They still have a hard time,” Falo said of his teammates. “Coach Mac still has a hard time. I still tell him every day. I don’t blame people.”

Dismissed from the team last summer, Falo returned in January not only with a new moniker, but a new outlook on life and football.

“I’m more than blessed to be back,” the junior outside linebacker said Monday after the Buffaloes completed their fifth practice of the spring. “I’m excited to be back, excited to be around the guys again, being coached, being able to put my helmet back on. It’s an exciting feeling and I love being out there.”

During his first two seasons at CU (2015 and 2016), Falo went by N.J. – short for Nu’umotu Jr. Named after his father, who passed away in 2006, Falo flashed his talent during his first two years, but also had some off-the-field trouble that led to his dismissal.

… Continue reading story here …

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Josh Kaiser more comfortable at right tackle

From the Daily Camera … Throughout his career at Colorado, Josh Kaiser has learned all he can from the veterans he has played with.

Now that he’s the oldest member of the Buffaloes’ offensive line, he’s taking his role as a leader seriously this spring.

“Honestly, I’m just trying to be the best person I can, be the best example I can be for these young guys, so I can pass on the culture I learned from (last year’s seniors) Jeromy Irwin and Gerrad Kough,” Kaiser said. “Pass on all that knowledge and the culture of hard-working, blue collar guys to these young guys. They’ll carry that on and pass it on.”

There’s no better example of hard work and blue collar mentality than Kaiser.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior from Mission Viejo, Calif., spent his first three seasons in Boulder as a backup that played mainly on special teams. He had logged just 31 offensive snaps in those years, but kept working for his shot to play more.

Last offseason, Kaiser’s game took a leap forward as he was named the team’s most improved offensive lineman after spring practices. He wound up starting the first two games of the season at left tackle for Irwin, who was suspended, and then made three more starts at right tackle. In all, Kaiser played 418 snaps last season.

So far this spring, Kaiser has been working at right tackle, with junior Aaron Haigler at left tackle.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 4th

Kabion Ento has missed his daughter’s birthday the past three years, but “everything I do is for her”

From the Daily Camera … Over the past three and a half years, FaceTime has been a well-used app by Kabion Ento.

“But,” he said, “it’s not the same as being there physically.”

Certainly, Ento would rather be near his daughter, A’Kyre, in his hometown of Pine Bluff, Ark., but as he continues to shine in the classroom and on the football field with the Colorado Buffaloes, he believes the sacrifice he’s making will pay off in the end.

“While I’m here, I try to focus on the reason why I’m here and I am here for her and everything I do is for her,” said Ento, a senior receiver with the Buffs. “It makes it easier when I think about what I do for her.”

At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Ento is a tall, athletic and talented receiver who could be playing football for several more years. But, getting to where he is now has not been easy.

Ento was a multi-sport star at Dollarway (Ark.) High School, earning all-state honors in football, basketball and track and field. In football, he was the defensive player of the year as a senior for the Southeast Arkansas region, but also caught 30 passes for 650 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Following high school, Ento went on to play at East Central (Miss.) Community College, but before he played a game for the Warriors, he became a father. A’Kyre was born on Aug. 11, 2014, when Ento was only 18.

“It’s something I had to figure out fast, being a man,” he said. “It makes you think differently. At 18-19, having to figure out if you do something wrong, it’s going to affect her. It did help me grow.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Safety Evan Worthington in line to be the next CU defensive back drafted into the NFL

From CUBuffs.com … One of the more consistent storylines with Colorado football over the last few years has been the production of NFL-caliber defensive backs.

Since 2015, the list of NFL defensive backs who have played for Mike MacIntyre at CU includes Kenneth Crawley, Chidobe Awuzie, Ahkello Witherspoon and Tedric Thompson. This year, Isaiah Oliver is expected to add his name to the list.

Next up?

It’s a good bet NFL scouts will be keeping a very close eye next fall on Buffs senior safety Evan Worthington.

What is already clear is that Worthington is a playmaker, one of those players who simply has the knack for being in the right place at the right time. Last season, he was third on the team in tackles (86) and led the Buffs in interceptions (three), as well as recording a sack, five other tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery and eight third-down stops.

In other words, Worthington always seemed to be where the action was occurring.

This year, he and his coaches expect him to be better.

“He’s a pro guy,” said CU defensive passing game coordinator ShaDon Brown. “He’s going to be a pro safety. He just has to keep developing himself as a technician and doing the right things, and he’s done that. He’s matured more than any kid probably I’ve ever seen from a boy to a man in terms of his mental focus.”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 3rd

Trey Udoffia suddenly a veteran cornerback

From the Daily Camera … Just one year ago, Trey Udoffia was still adjusting to college football and learning how to become a contributor for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Now, he’s learning how to be a leader at his position.

In the past two years, Colorado has sent four cornerbacks to the National Football League, and that has left Udoffia as one of the most experienced players in the secondary as he enters his redshirt sophomore year.

“It’s a lot different,” he said. “The past two years, there’s been great corners ahead of us and we’ve been learning. Now it’s our turn to step it up. We have to turn into those great corners and show the young guys what you have to do.”

Udoffia and junior Dante Wigley, who came to CU a year ago as a junior college transfer, came into this spring as CU’s veterans at corner. Both started seven games a year ago, mostly opposite of Isaiah Oliver, who decided to forego his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

… Continue reading story here …

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Linebacker Drew Lewis: “I wasn’t doing a great job of fulfilling expectations”

From the Daily Camera … For much of the 2017 season, Drew Lewis was arguably the best player on the Colorado defense.

In his first season as a starter, Lewis dominated at times and was one of the nation’s leaders in applying pressure on the quarterback from the linebacker position.

Over the past three months, however, Lewis has focused on what he didn’t do last season, and the struggles he had late in the season.

“I wasn’t doing a great job of fulfilling expectations with (stopping the run) and I’m trying not to let that happen again,” said Lewis, now a senior. “I want to be able to crisp up my run fits, for sure, and then my coverage abilities and being able to play the ball.”

Lewis led the team with 119 tackles, while also recording two sacks, eight QB pressures and four pass breakups, but has spent his offseason trying to get better.

“The No. 1 thing, other staying in shape and doing workouts is film work and all the mental stuff,” he said. “I’ll be on Hudl on my phone all the time or I’ll be up here in the facilities watching film. It’s something you have to do every single day.”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 2nd 

Spring Showcase events include a Champions Center tour

From CUBuffs.com …

Friday March 16th
Champions Center Tour
2:00pm

RSVP HERE

This event is RSVP only!

Saturday March 17th
CU Football Spring Showcase!

12:00 p.m. – Healthy Kids Day
Inflatable games for kids (8th grade and under) and skill stations
With CU Student-Athletes. Indoor practice facility in the
Champions Center. Sponsored by Children’s Hospital.

1:00 p.m. – CU Football Spring Showcase
Postgame selfie session/meet the team.

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March 1st

JC transfer defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson: “I think I’ve done pretty good since the pads went on”

From CUBuffs.com … At a position where the competition is wide open, Colorado sophomore defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson is doing his best to separate himself from the pack.

Yes, it’s early. The Buffs just finished their fourth spring practice Wednesday. That leaves 11 practices to go this spring before the second spring and summer conditioning sessions kick in — and that is all simply the prelude to fall camp, where starting spots and playing time will truly begin to be decided.

But Johnson, a junior college transfer who enrolled in time for spring ball, isn’t wasting time. The powerfully built 6-foot-2, 285-pounder is getting his fair share of snaps with the No. 1 and No. 2 units at a position where the Buffs must make significant improvement, especially in terms of depth.

“So far, so good,” Johnson said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think I’ve done pretty good since the pads went on. I’ve been making some stops, doing some good things. There’s a lot of competition and spring is definitely an opportunity for all of us to show what we can do.”

There is indeed no shortage of defensive linemen in camp. CU’s current roster shows 10 in camp. That includes nose tackles Javier Edwards, Lyle Tuiloma and Jalen Sami; defensive ends Chris Mulumba, Terrance Lang and Terriek Roberts; and four players listed simply as defensive linemen — Johnson, Jase Franke, Mo Bandi and Nico Magri. Add to that two more D-linemen scheduled to report for fall camp, and the competition will no doubt be intense.

Which is, of course, exactly what CU coaches want.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 28th

Evan Worthington: CU’s best 2019 NFL prospect?

From the Daily Camera … Colorado wasn’t exactly sure what it was getting last year when Evan Worthington returned to the football team.

Dismissed from the team a year earlier, Worthington returned in January of 2017 and he and the Buffaloes hoped he could make an impact.

Now, Worthington is not only one of the team’s best players, but he’s one of the leaders for a team looking to rebound from a disappointing season and get back to a bowl game.

“I have to approach it like I have to let these young guys know where to go, what to do and all that stuff,” said Worthington, a senior safety for the Buffs. “Even people that are on the field starting, I have to let them know we have to set the tempo at a high pace right now, get everybody in the right position.”

On Wednesday, Worthington and the Buffs (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12 last year) went through their fourth practice of spring drills, and he’s picking up where he left off last season.

One of the most impactful players on the defense last season, Worthington made 11 starts (nine at safety, two at Buff back) and finished third on the team with 86 tackles.

… Continue reading story here …

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Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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February 27th

Note … There has been a change in the practice schedule for the Colorado football team this week during spring ball. The team will now practice on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and take Friday, March 2 off. There is no practice scheduled for Saturday, March 3, either.

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Gray-shirt freshman Jalen Sami looking to add depth to nose tackle position

From the Daily Camera … Just three practices into his college football career, Jalen Sami is still learning a new level of football

And, at 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, it’s no surprise that on Monday, his first practice in pads, wore him out a bit.

“He got tired today and I was expecting that,” CU head coach Mike MacIntyre said after Monday’s practice, the Buffaloes’ third of spring. “But, he pushed through it. He didn’t quit and he tried to keep going. He’ll get better and better in that area.”

While fatigue did set in for Sami, he’s one of the new Buffs that is turning heads early in spring practices. A true freshman from Vista Ridge High School, Sami grayshirted last season and enrolled at CU last month, hopeful to give the Buffs some depth at nose tackle.

“He’s powerful and strong like we thought,” MacIntyre said. “I’ve been impressed with his ability to bend, his strength and his power and how physical he’s trying to play.”

Senior linebacker Drew Lewis said last week that Sami certainly looks like he can help immediately. Senior Javier Edwards and junior Lyle Tuiloma return after handling most of the snaps at nose tackle last season, but Sami’s emergence could be crucial.

“It definitely helps us the more big bodies that we have,” MacIntyre said. “You can rotate them in.”

… Continue reading story here …

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February 26th

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media … first day in pads

From YouTube, courtesy of BuffStampede.com …

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Junior college players having an immediate impact

From CUBuffs.com … When head coach Mike MacIntyre announced Colorado’s 2018 recruiting class, he made it clear that he believed several members of the class would come in and immediately compete for playing time.

Three spring practices have done nothing to dispel that belief. The five junior college transfers who are enrolled and participating in practice are making rapid progress, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

“The junior college players that are here are showing some good things,” defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said after Monday’s practice. “They increased the level of competition right away, and we had some returning guys that are playing well too. It really is wide open in a lot of places and it’s good competition.”

The five JC transfers here for the spring are defensive backs Delrick Abrams Jr. and Aaron Maddox, defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson, Buff back Davion Taylor and tight end Darrion Jones. Maddox is out with a shoulder injury, but the other four are getting plenty of repetitions with the top two units.

It is making for a competitive spring at nearly every position on defense.

“It’s wide open out there,” Eliot said. “Guys are working hard. They’re making some mistakes, but that’s to be expected. We’ve only had three practices, so we’ll see how things go, but we’re guys do some good things.”

… Continue reading story here …

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February 25th

Juwann Winfree participating in his first spring practices since his freshman year at Maryland

From CUBuffs.com … When Colorado wide receiver Juwann Winfree walked onto the turf for Friday’s first practice of the spring session, he couldn’t help but smile a little.

Winfree, who will be a fifth-year senior next fall, hasn’t participated in a spring football session since his freshman year at Maryland.

Thus, while spring ball may be a grind for some of his veteran classmates, it is a treat for Winfree to simply be on the field.

“It’s a really important time for me,” Winfree said Saturday, just after the Buffs wrapped up their second spring practice. “I want to put everything together that I’ve been working for in the offseason — and this is the year I have to put it all together in the fall. It’s my final year and I want to get to the next level. If I’m going to do that, I have to prove everything this year.”

Winfree transferred to Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College after his freshman season, and junior colleges don’t have spring ball. He then transferred to Colorado and was on his way to a great fall camp in the summer of 2016 — only to see a torn ACL end his season just two weeks into camp and also make him unavailable for spring ball.

… Continue reading story here …

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Tyler Lytle: “I feel like I’m able to play the quarterback position and take command of the offense”

From the Daily Camera … When Colorado went through spring football practices a year ago, Tyler Lytle was fresh out of high school, with his head spinning a bit as he adjusted to the college game.

When the Buffaloes opened spring practices on Friday, the redshirt freshman quarterback had a more enjoyable experience.

“It’s awesome. I had a great time today,” he said. “I was having fun. I’m a lot more confident in my abilities and knowing what I’m supposed to do. I know where I want to be with the ball when I get (a particular look on defense). It’s fun.”

While incumbent starter Steven Montez, now a junior, is once again atop the depth chart, the Buffs are looking for Lytle and fellow backup Sam Noyer, a sophomore, to push Montez and be just as ready to play.

“They’re one play away from being in the game,” MacIntyre said this week.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 24th

Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media 

YouTube video courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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February 23rd 

Chiaverini: “They gave great effort today and we made some plays”

From CUBuffs.com … Monday’s first spring practice was understandably a little erratic at times as the timing between quarterbacks and receivers was by no means razor sharp. But there were still some big plays on both sides of the ball and the pace kept the ball moving up and down the field.

“I thought the effort was great,” Chiaverini said. “The execution was OK today, but first day of spring, I expected that. I expected the timing to be a little off and it was a little bit for the quarterbacks and receivers. The execution is going to come as we get our timing down. Right now, we want to make sure everyone understands that we’re going to play fast. That’s my philosophy when we’re calling it and and that’s how we’re practicing it.”

The rapid pace meant plenty of repetitions for everyone. Quarterbacks Steven Montez, Sam Noyer and Tyler Lytle all got their fair share of snaps and the opportunity to throw to a wide variety of receivers.

“I loved the effort,” Chiaverini said. “They gave great effort today and we made some plays. I like the fact that we’re getting a lot of man-to-man from our defense, so it’s helping these receivers work their routes. I saw some good things. That’s what’s fun about spring, is watching guys make plays and compete. That’s what you want to see, is guys competing.”

… Continue reading story here …

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Mike MacIntyre post-practice talk with media

From YouTube, courtesy of CUSportsNation:

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“Up-tempo” a priority for Buff offense this spring

From CUBuffs.com … This will be co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini‘s third spring with the Buffs. When he arrived, he made increasing the offensive tempo a priority.

This year, as he assumes the reins of calling plays, the Buffs want to increase that tempo another notch.

“That’s part of a fundamental really,” MacIntyre said. “You have to know the way we call it, the way we get lined up, the way we call out our signals, how we’re going to the play. We have to practice that way and we do, but we want to keep pushing the envelope there. That’s a major fundamental: how you take the field, how you get lined up, how the center calls it out. If you can get those things narrowed down and take three seconds away, that’s a big deal. … The way we practice, we will practice with a high tempo and have the clock going and pushing the pace and making them understand that.”

Colorado actually had to back off a bit last year from its up-tempo attack — but that was in part because of defensive struggles. That’s something MacIntyre believes should change this year.

“If you go out there and play super fast you better score, but if you’re not keeping those other guys off of the field it becomes a little bit of a give and take,” MacIntyre said. “I would like for our guys to play fast and get better, which I believe we definitely will be, so we will be able to do that.”

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February 22nd

Isaac Miller to miss spring practices

From the Daily Camera … Colorado head football coach Mike MacIntyre has often said that when offensive lineman Isaac Miller is healthy, he has the ability to be special.

Unfortunately for CU and the Silver Creek High School graduate, he’s not healthy and there’s concern about whether he’ll ever be healthy enough to help the Buffaloes on the football field.

In previewing spring practice — which begins Friday — MacIntyre said Thursday that Miller won’t practice this spring, as he continues to deal with knee problems.

Whether Miller, who started six games last year at right tackle, will be ready for fall remains to be seen.

“There is definitely some long-term concern,” MacIntyre said. “We’re not sure on all of that yet, but there definitely is some long-term concerns with his situation.”

A 6-foot-7, 280-pound junior tackle Miller battled knee trouble throughout last season and was in and out of the lineup.

… Continue reading story here …

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Players out for spring practices:

Jacob Isen, OL
Jaylon Jackson, WR
Tim Lynott, OL
Aaron Maddox, S
Jared Poplawski, TE
Kanan Ray, OL
Ray Robinson, S
Jacob Stoltenberg, LB
Jonathan Van Diest, LB

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February 21st

Safety position features another NFL draft pick in the making

From the Daily Camera … Coming into his second year with the Colorado football team, safeties coach ShaDon Brown knows that the Buffaloes have to get better on the back end of the defense.

Brown also knows he’s got one of the best players on the team in his position group to help with that improvement.

With the Buffaloes beginning practice on Friday, they will lean heavily on senior Evan Worthington, who could be one of the best safeties in the Pac-12.

“He is a phenomenal athlete who is getting bigger and stronger,” Brown said. “Last year, he was thrown into a spotlight role. This year, I think he’ll be much, much better than he was in 2017 because of his knowledge.

“I give the guys tests every week in the spring on their knowledge and what they know. You can see the drastic difference in knowledge that he has now versus last year.”

Led by Worthington, CU’s safeties face a big spring as they look to anchor the defense.

… Continue reading story here …

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Jon Wilner’s Colorado spring practice preview

From the San Jose Mercury News …

*** The big picture.

From worst to first and back to worst again, the Buffaloes have been everything but mediocre during their time in the conference.

The rapid cycling up and down leaves us to wonder about the program’s identity now that the roster is filled with players whose entire recruitment — from initial contact to letter of intent —  came under the Pac-12 banner.

Will the Buffs be a contender in the South that experienced a one-off disappointment in 2017, or are they a second-tier program that produced one stellar season?

*** Coach: Mike MacIntyre

Five-season win totals: 4-2-4-10-5

Contract status: Entering the second season of a five-year extension. The deal came as a result of CU’s improbable 2016 division title and the reported interest in MacIntyre from Power Five schools in the southeast.

Heat index: Increasing.

Athletic director Rick George understands the value of patience and continuity. Another sub-.500 season, however, would ramp up the pressure in 2019.

…

*** Bottom line on the Buffs

There are a bevy of questions on offense and eight starters to replace on defense. That combination creates deep skepticism over CU’s ability to compete in the South.

The only reason to think the Buffs can make the great leap forward, in fact, is they’ve done it before.

The remarkable turnaround in 2016 was rooted in a productive off-season. They need to repeat that process this spring.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 20th

Darrin Chiaverini: “We’ve done a good job the last couple of years of definitely increasing the talent level in that room”

From the Daily Camera … Two years ago, the Colorado football team had to replace its all-time leading receiver, Nelson Spruce, and the Buffaloes actually got better at the position.

This year, the Buffs have to replace three of the top eight receivers in program history, and once again they may actually get better.

Although Shay Fields, Bryce Bobo and Devin Ross — who combined for 480 catches for 5,811 yards and 40 touchdowns in their careers — are now training for a shot in the NFL, there is a great deal of excitement about what the Buffs have coming back at receiver as they open spring practices on Friday.

“We’ve done a good job the last couple of years of definitely increasing the talent level in that room,” co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini said.

… Continue reading story here …

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February 18th

Neill Woelk previews battles which can be expected for starting positions on offense

From CUBuffs.com … To be blunt, Colorado football players are tired of hearing about falling short of expectations in 2017.

But the Buffs are also well-aware that to make 2017 a distant memory, they need to make 2018 a season to remember for all the right reasons. That means a solid offseason strength and conditioning program, a productive spring practice session and a late spring and summer dedicated to getting better.

Then, use all that work as a springboard to a strong fall camp and bounce-back season.

“I think guys are a little more hungry,” quarterback Steven Montez said recently. “Last spring, we wanted to work but I think maybe we had this false sense of security in our minds that we had already made it because we had won 10 games. Now, this year, I think all the guys realize that nothing is going to be given to us.”

Montez and his offensive cohorts will no doubt be a focal point. In the wake of a season that did not produce the numbers many thought possible, every member of CU’s offense knows the pressure will be on this year to point the needle back in the right direction.

It won’t be easy, as the list of players lost to graduation is long. It includes Colorado’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards and second-leading all-time rusher, Phillip Lindsay; three receivers who are on CU’s top-10 list in all-time receptions; and three linemen who started the majority of Colorado’s games last season.

Meanwhile, CU’s co-offensive coordinator combination will have a new name, as Klayton Adams joins Darrin Chiaverini; and the Buffs also have a new quarterbacks coach in Kurt Roper.

It all means spring ball this year will be critical to the development of an offense that can’t wait to hit the field and erase the memory of 2017.

Here’s a quick position-by-position breakdown of CU’s offense as the Buffs prepare to open spring ball next Friday (Feb. 23):

… Continue reading story here …

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February 17th

New cornerbacks coach Ashley Ambrose: “I’m just looking forward to working with them”

From the Daily Camera … For the third year in a row, the Colorado football program has produced NFL talent at cornerback.

In 2016, Kenneth Crawley entered the NFL. Last year, Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon were drafted. And this spring, Isaiah Oliver is projected as a top prospect.

While that’s certainly a great track record for the Buffaloes, it has left the cornerback position with some question marks going forward. Do the Buffs have NFL-caliber — or least quality Pac-12 talent — remaining at that position?

New cornerbacks coach Ashley Ambrose is eager to find out, but as the Buffs gear up for the start of spring drills on Feb. 23, he’s got a good first impression.

“I’ve gotten a chance to see the guys, see them and talk with them, and get a chance to introduce myself to them,” said Ambrose, who was hired last month. “It looks like I have a really good group of guys; guys who can run, and I just have to see what they can do on the football field. I think we have some really good, talented players and I’m just looking forward to working with them.”

… Continue reading story here …

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February 16th

CU offensive line coach Klayton Adams: “I’m as excited as I’ve ever been for spring football”

From the Daily Camera … Colorado’s offensive line lacks experience, isn’t completely healthy and is coming off a rough season.

It sounds less than ideal, but with spring football just a week away, co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Klayton Adams can’t wait to get started.

“I’m as excited as I’ve ever been for spring football and a lot of that has to do with how hard the kids are working and the amount of, in my opinion, raw ability that we have, be it inexperienced and young,” Adams said.

Last season, the Buffs (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12) ranked 123rd in the country in allowing 3.25 sacks per game and ranked 102nd with their 3.78 yards per rush average. The line is not completely to blame for those numbers, but certainly the group up front struggled.

“Last year was not good enough on the offensive line because our standard is extremely high,” Adams said. “We want to be one of the best groups in this league, if not the best group in this league. It needs to improve. It needs to improve a lot in our opinion.”

To improve as a group — especially this spring — the Buffs will rely on a lot of new, or at least inexperienced, faces.

… From the Daily Camera …

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February 15th

Neill Woelk Spring Preview: Defense

… Related … “Spring position preview: Buffs seek improvement at defensive line” … from the Daily Camera

… Related … “Spring position preview: Buffs experienced at inside linebacker” … from the Daily Camera

From CUBuffs.com … A year ago, the Colorado Buffaloes entered spring ball with a new defensive coordinator, a new secondary coach, a new inside linebackers coach — and the job of replacing eight starters on defense.

This year, the scenario is much different. While there are again some new assistants — Ashley Ambrose joins ShaDon Brown in the secondary to coach cornerbacks and Kwahn Drake takes over the defensive line — as well as some losses to graduation, there is still much more continuity across the board.

For starters, defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot should now be much more comfortable in his second spring. Eliot not only has a much better idea who his playmakers are, but he also has a better understanding of how they fit into his scheme, how they will play over the course of a season — and how he can tweak that scheme to take better advantage of the players who can make game-changing plays.

As for returnees, the Buffs also have more key contributors returning. While CU did lose some quality defenders — most notably cornerback Isaiah Oliver, Afolabi Laguda, Ryan Moeller, Leo Jackson and Derek McCartney — the holes caused by graduation are by no means as big as they were last year.

Here’s a quick position-by-position breakdown of CU’s defense as the Buffs prepare to open spring ball next Friday (Feb. 23):

… Continue reading story here …

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This post, about the Spring Practice game, from the 2018 Season, is filed under Article.
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