Colorado University Athletics
Where Buffs Stand At Halfway Point Of Camp
August 17, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
Colorado wraps up 15th fall camp practice Wednesday morning
BOULDER — With the completion of Wednesday morning's practice, the Colorado Buffaloes passed the halfway point of fall camp.
The Buffs wrapped up their 15th of 29 fall camp practices in shells (shorts and shoulder pads), leaving just 14 practices and 16 days before the Sept. 2 season opener vs. Colorado State in Denver (6 p.m., ESPN).
By virtually all accounts, it's been a good camp for the Buffs. Position coaches have been pleased with the progress at their respective positions, injuries (knock on wood) have been minimal and the Buffs' attitude has been positive.
Perhaps most importantly, the Buffs haven't had what head coach Mike MacIntyre has termed a "bad" practice. Certainly there have been ups and downs, but overall, the Buffs have made strides on a daily basis. That's not always the case — in any team's camp — and while there's still a couple of weeks' worth of practices remaining, it's nevertheless a strong sign that this team's focus is exactly where it should be.
Thus, in honor of the halfway point, here are some random thoughts, observations and guesstimations as the Buffs move ever closer to their season opener:
STRONGEST AREA: While there are a couple of candidates here, the one place on the team that is loaded with good — and potentially great — players is the secondary, where experience, depth and talent are in solid supply.
To folks who follow the Buffs closely, this isn't a surprise. Strong safety Tedric Thompson and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie bring a wealth of experience and talent to the table, and they've done nothing to dispel their preseason all-conference mentions. Both have had outstanding camps, not only coming up with big plays on a regular basis, but also delivering consistent efforts every day.
There's also some good depth here, with cornerbacks Isaiah Oliver and Ahkello Witherspoon and safety Afolabi Laguda also having good camps. Throw returning starter Ryan Moeller into the mix, add utility guy Nick Fisher and toss in some good young players, and it's a solid group.
"We have an opportunity to have one of the better secondaries in the conference," safeties coach Joe Tumpkin said. "Our focus is on improving our skills, getting this defense locked down and making sure we're one of the better — if not the best — secondary in the conference. The only way we do that is to continue to work on our tools and work on our trade."
BEST COMPETITION: One reason CU's secondary is having an excellent camp is that the defensive backs are working on a daily basis against a group of wide receivers that might be the Buffs' best overall collection of wideouts in years.
A year ago, Colorado fans wondered what would happen when all-time Pac-12 receptions leader Nelson Spruce graduated. The answer is the Buffs have a long list of players who should more than make up for Spruce's absence.
So far, junior Shay Fields has been the most consistent. The CU junior is catching almost everything thrown his way, he's running precise routes and he's added about 10 pounds to his frame without losing any speed. Now in his third year working with quarterback Sefo Liufau, the two have obviously developed a connection, and it will be a surprise if Fields doesn't have his best season yet — no small feat considering he's caught 92 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two seasons.
"Overall, I think I'm a little faster, my route precision is better and my hands are a little better," Fields said. "I'm trying to improve my game every day. I just want to do my job and help the team get some W's."
Fields won't have to do it alone. Fellow junior Bryce Bobo, junior college transfer Juwann Winfree, junior slot receiver Devin Ross, sophomore slot Jay MacIntyre and JC transfer Kabion Ento have also all had their moment in camp, with Bobo showing a particular penchant for big plays in the end zone the last few days. Add talented freshmen Johnny Huntley III, Tony Julmisse and Derrion Rakestraw to the equation — all have also had some solid days — and it's a group that should be tough to cover this season if they keep improving at their current rate.
MOST RAPID IMPROVEMENT: Several candidates for the list here, but we'll go with the area that also needs to see the most improvement in a hurry: the offensive line.
Heading into camp, there was basically one position that was decided, as everyone knew left tackle Jeromy Irwin would anchor the group. After that, there were more questions than answers.
The good news is that this bunch has made some big strides thus far in camp. As O-line coach Klayton Adams said after last Saturday's scrimmage, "We've made leaps and bounds jumps."
That's also relative. The Buffs are trying to bounce back from a season in which an injury-ravaged group gave up 41 sacks and also struggled in the running game.
Still, there have been some solid signs. Junior Gerrad Kough is having a good camp at left guard, redshirt freshman Tim Lynott has been solid at right guard, senior Alex Kelley has been consistent at center and a much stronger junior Sam Kronshage has had "a really good camp" according to MacIntyre. Senior Sully Wiefels and junior Jonathan Huckins, meanwhile, are still in the mix for a spot and redshirt freshman tackle Aaron Haigler is also making a push for playing time.
"We're not there yet," Adams said. "The guys know that and I'm very up front with them about that. We expect excellence with that group. We don't expect to be average."
SIZE MATTERS: For the first time in a while, the Buffs should have a defensive line that, as defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt has said, "looks the part."
They've also been playing the part well. Nose tackle Josh Tupou (6-foot 3, 325 pounds), defensive end Jordan Carrell (6-3, 300) and Samson Kafovalu (6-4, 295) have been solid against the run and can provide a push in pass rush situations. The Buffs are also developing some depth here, although the next group — Timothy Coleman, Jase Franke and Leo Jackson III — doesn't boast quite the same girth.
Overall, it's an area that could take a big step forward from a year ago if they improve as much over the last half of camp as they did in the first half.
COMMITTEE POSSIBILITIES: It's been years since the Buffaloes had a "featured" running back — and that stretch might go on a little longer.
Junior Phillip Lindsay entered camp as the leader atop the depth chart, and he's done nothing to lose the spot. He's running with authority and catching the ball well. But providing a strong push has been junior Donovan Lee, who is showing some good power running between the tackles, especially in goal-line situations. Lee is also an accomplished receiver (he moved over from wide receiver last fall) and adds a dimension coming out of the backfield or moving wide to line up in the slot.
"He's got what I call really good running vision," MacIntyre said. "He can see guys coming and kind of slithers off of them. He's done well."
One of the bigger surprises of camp has been former walkon Kyle Evans, who's seen time with the top offensive units and has been productive. Evans has great quickness, is powerful, can catch the ball and simply makes plays. He won't be an every-down guy, but he could be someone who gives the Buffs an interesting change of pace.
QB DEPTH: When starter Sefo Liufau was sidelined in the spring, it meant more snaps for redshirt freshman Steven Montez and senior Jordan Gehrke. Both have had good camps, with Montez still turning heads with his arm and producing some solid stretches against the No. 1 and 2 defenses.
Also turning heads has been true freshman Sam Noyer, a tall (6-4), rangy QB with a live arm and nice pocket presence.
Liufau, meanwhile, has progressed nicely. Admittedly wearing a little rust after missing the entire spring, he's improved steadily, to the point that he had maybe his best day of camp earlier this week in a scrimmage. He's grasping the offseason changes made to the offense, and if he continues at the same pace, he should be ready to roll in the opener.
DEPTH INSIDE, BUT … At inside linebacker, the Buffs should have plenty of depth. Senior Kenneth Olugbode, junior Addison Gillam and sophomore Rick Gamboa — each of whom has led the Buffs in tackles once in the last three years — have all had productive camps.
The Buffs are bringing Gillam along slowly in hopes that they can keep him healthy for the entire season — something that would be a huge plus. "We need him," Leavitt said simply.
There's also some depth inside with JC transfer Drew Lewis and Ryan Severson.
At OLB, there are two quality starters in Derek McCartney and Jimmie Gilbert, both of whom have had excellent camps in getting to the passer. Still, it's a place Leavitt and Co. would like to develop more depth.
GETTING THEIR KICKS: MacIntyre made a change in his special teams coaching in the offseason, handing duties throughout the staff. So far, so good. Diego Gonzalez has been consistent kicking field goals, Alex Kinney is punting well and the return/coverage teams are rounding into shape. The Buffs will spend plenty of time over the next couple of weeks working on the details — but with special teams, it's hard to tell until game day.
OVERALL: It's difficult not to be optimistic, but the next two weeks will be hugely important. While they're more talented and more experienced than they've been for years, the margin for error for these Buffs is still razor thin. The difference this year — if there is going to be one — will be in the details, those little things that made the difference in a handful of games last year.
This is the year they have to make those plays — and they have two weeks remaining to hone that edge and make sure they start the season on the right foot.
Bottom line? As virtually every coach has already said at one point in camp, "We have a chance. We have a long way to go and we have to get better every day … but we have a chance."
KICKOFF LUNCHEON: The 28th annual Boulder Chamber Kickoff Luncheon is set Friday in Balch Fieldhouse. Doors and the buffet luncheon will begin at 11:15 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at noon. Special guests will include CU Athletic Director Rick George, MacIntyre, Boulder Chamber President John Tayer and the entire Buffs team and coaching staff. Tickets are available online through Thursday and will be on sale Friday at the event.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
