Buffs Notes: Finals Next For Players; Coaches Focus On OSU; Lynott Named Freshman All-America
December 11, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Mike MacIntyre's Colorado Buffaloes wrapped up their third bowl practice Sunday afternoon, their last before players take final exams.
The 10-3 Buffs (No. 10 CFP rankings) will take a break for finals this week, then reconvene next Friday to continue preparations for their Dec. 29 matchup against No. 12 Oklahoma State in the Valero Alamo Bowl (7 p.m., ESPN).
But while the players have the next few days off to wrap up their semester schoolwork, CU's coaches will begin breaking down Oklahoma State film. The Colorado staff spent much of last week on the road recruiting and has not yet had time to delve into the particulars of Mike Gundy's 9-3 team.
"We'll be working on Oklahoma State," MacIntyre said of the CU coaching staff's schedule this week. "Then we have junior college (recruit) signing day, that's on Wednesday. We'll still be busy."
CU hosted a number of recruits and their families in Boulder over the weekend, and they had a chance to watch Saturday's practice in the Champions Center Indoor Practice Facility. Overall, the Buffs are compiling what many recruiting services are calling a top-25 class.
"It's gone well," MacIntyre said. "We had a good jump start this summer. All the kids that came in the summer for camps and everything got to see our facilities, and that excited them. As the season's progressed and gone well, that's helped a lot. So it's going real well."
MacIntyre did, though, reiterate what he has said in the past when it comes to the recruiting schedule. He would like to see a summer "official visit" period and signing date, and then another signing date after the season.
Currently, the football signing date is in February.
"I want a June official visit, signing date in July, and then have another signing date in February, like they do in basketball," MacIntyre said. "Before their season and after their season. That's what I'd like to do. That's what I'm working hard for."
Basketball has a signing date in November so players can sign early and then not worry about the recruiting process in their final high school season. There is also an April signing date for basketball.
The last three practices have been a chance for CU's travel squad to get their legs back under them after several days off following the Pac-12 title game. The Buffs used the opportunity to run 11-on-11 drills with the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense; and CU's coaches have also had a chance to work with younger players and redshirts in a "second" session after the regular practices that involves 11-on-11 drills.
The Buffs will begin installation of the game plan for Oklahoma State next weekend.
"It's been good," MacIntyre said. "They've been going good against good, a lot of competition, they've been having fun with it. It's been really good for the younger guys, too, getting a lot more reps."
LYNOTT HONORED: Colorado redshirt freshman offensive lineman Tim Lynott Jr. was named to the USA Today Freshman All-America first team on Sunday.
Lynott, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound guard from Regis High School, was the only CU offensive lineman to start every game in the regular season. Heading into the Pac-12 Championship game, he had played the most snaps of any CU lineman (886) and led the Buffs in touchdown blocks (19). He was also among the team leaders in perfect plays on passing touchdowns (14).
He is CU's first Freshman All-America first-team selection since linebacker Addison Gillam was named to the team in 2013.
MACINTYRE ON KAFOVALU: MacIntyre said the play and progress of CU senior defensive lineman Samson Kafovalu has been a "joy in my heart and his heart and his family's. That's the best way to explain it. He's played really well, he's doing excellent in school, it's been a lot of fun to watch him grow up. It's been really neat."
Kafovalu rebounded from an off-field incident in the offseason to enjoy an outstanding senior year. He finished with 44 tackles and two sacks, and was a mainstay in a CU defensive line that was among the Pac-12's best against the run this season.
"He's been stout in there, very physical," MacIntyre said. "Almost like a huge tree trunk that they can't even move. It's really helped us. He's played really well and it's been fun watching him play."
MacIntyre also called Kafovalu's road back from his off-field incident a "lifelong" lesson.
"That's why you coach. That's why you coach in college," MacIntyre said. "You want to win, you want to do all that, but those are lifelong changes that really makes it all worthwhile when you look in the mirror. He'll forget the defensive calls we have, he'll remember some of the games — but he'll remember how he overcame a lot of things to succeed. I look at his future wife and future family, that he'll be a success with them and be solid. That's truly a lifelong thing for me."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
