Colorado University Athletics
Buffs' Julmisse Ready For Expanded Role In 2017
December 20, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When the Colorado coaching staff asked true freshman Anthony Julmisse to consider playing some defensive back along with wide receiver in fall camp, Julmisse was quick to accept the challenge.
Now, some four months later, Julmisse appears to have found a home in the secondary — and given the makeup of CU's roster, he's more than fine with the move.
"Honestly, it's my opportunity to step into a starting role — that's how I see it," Julmisse said after Tuesday's Valero Alamo Bowl practice. "Receiving-corps wise, we're stocked. Once I realized Chido (Awuzie) and Ahkello (Witherspoon) and those guys are leaving, I felt this was the best opportunity for me to focus on one position and master that craft."
Early in the season, Julmisse practiced at both wide receiver and cornerback. He even had carry on a reverse against USC, gaining 10 yards on his only offensive touch of the year.
But he made a bigger impact on defense and did so in a hurry. He recovered a fumble against Colorado State in the opener, then recorded his first career interception a week later against Idaho State.
Now, he will head to the Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl matchup against Oklahoma State (7 p.m., ESPN) with some defensive experience under his belt: 53 snaps in five games on defense this season, with three tackles and a quarterback pressure to his credit. He also finished fifth on the team in special teams points, and averaged 22.6 yards on 17 kickoff returns.
"I think in general I had a good year," Julmisse said. "I had a lot of ups, honestly. I've been learning a lot from Chido and those guys, NFL-bound guys, so I feel like that was an advantage most freshmen across the country don't have. I think it was a good experience overall and I'm ready to keep moving forward."
CU's coaches no doubt liked what they saw from Julmisse this season — and they'll be expecting much more next year. With Awuzie and Witherspoon, as well as safety Tedric Thompson, graduating, there will be some big shoes to fill in what was generally considered one of the top secondaries in the country.
"Anthony's a heck of a defensive back, a really gifted athlete," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He's physical, he has good ball skills. He can do a lot of things for us, but I think his best potential is at defensive back. He has all the tools to be an excellent defensive back. We just have to get him in the weight room, get him a little bit bigger so when he's hitting those guys all the time he'll stay healthy."
Julmisse agrees that some extended time in the weight room will help. Currently listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, he believes he can get up to 200 without losing any speed.
"That's most definitely a priority," said Julmisse, who seems to wear a constant smile. "I want to get to at least 200 next season. I'm going to try not to come off the field at all defensively next year."
As for a return to offense in some manner, Julmisse said that's still not completely out of the question. But, as he noted, the Buffs return every wide receiver from this year's team, as well as transfer Juwann Winfree, who sat out the year with a knee injury.
What became clear this season is that Julmisse is a quick learner. He practiced on both sides of the ball for much of fall camp, and while he didn't have the luxury of a redshirt season, he still seemed to make the adjustment to the college game a smooth one.
In reality, one of the biggest adjustments he had to make might have been the weather. A Florida native, he came to Colorado without ever having seen a snow storm up close and personal. The recent sweep of arctic air through the state was, he admits, a harsh introduction.
"I'm not going to lie to you — I was ready to go back home when it first hit me," he said with a laugh. "That morning, I did not realize how cold it was. I walked outside and that gust of wind hit me and I was like, 'Yeah. This is over with.'
"It takes some adjusting to, but I got me some boots and winter gear so I'm good. I'm ready for it now. It's like everything else — you learn to adjust."
PRACTICE REPORT: After a day off from practice and a team outing to Topgolf on Monday, the Buffs returned to the practice field Tuesday. They will practice again Wednesday and Thursday, take Friday off and then have a light workout Saturday before departing for San Antonio.
The Buffs will also visit Children's Hospital on Wednesday.
NO DEFENSIVE CHANGE: While MacIntyre hasn't had the chance to delve deeply into his search for a new defensive coordinator, he made it clear Tuesday morning that the Buffs won't be changing from their 3-4 alignment.
"I learned the 3-4 when I was at Dallas and New York Jets," MacIntyre said. "That's what I wanted to do, when I realized all the spread teams and different things we went against in this league. I thought it was the best fit for this league. We're going to call it the same way we call it now. We're not changing anything."
ON LYNOTT: CU redshirt freshman guard Tim Lynott Jr. was recently named to the USA Today first team Freshman All-America team, CU's first player on the squad since linebacker Addison Gillam in 2013.
Lynott spent much of last spring working at center, but switched back to guard in fall camp and was a mainstay for the Buffs this season, becoming the only offensive lineman to start every game.
With starting center Alex Kelley graduating, there is a possibility the Buffs might try Lynott back at center, but there are other possibilities there, as Jonathan Huckins has also played the position.
"I thought it was a well-deserved honor, he played really well," MacIntyre said of Lynott. "The thing with Tim is he got better and better as the year went along. He didn't hit that freshman wall. He played better at the end of the year than he did at the beginning of the year, which is what you always want to see with everybody, especially with a young player. He can play center, too. He's playing really well at guard. We'll just see how the spring goes and how the fall falls in place, but he can play either one."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
