Colorado University Athletics
Nose Tackle Edwards Impressive Early In Buffs Spring Drills
February 24, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — The first thing you notice about Colorado nose tackle Javier Edwards is that he is a big man.
No surprise. Division I defensive linemen are supposed to be big, and Edwards fits the bill. Listed as 6-foot-3, 350 pounds, on CU's signing day press release, he's every bit of that.
But the next thing you notice about Edwards, at least when he's on the field, is that he moves well. Not that he's going to be challenging Buffs wideout Shay Fields in a 40-yard sprint anytime soon, but quick enough and fast enough that he catches your eye. While he is clearly the biggest man on the field, he is not the last man off the field when the defense sprints to the sidelines, and he holds his own in the dreaded up-down sprint drills.
In short, he's what every 3-4 defense needs — a big body in the middle with strength and mobility. Good for the Buffs; headache for opponents.
"He's big and strong," said Buffs defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat. "Javier wants to be good and he's doing the things that he needs to do to be good. He's gotten his weight down since he's been here and he's been doing extra work. He's a really good kid and he's getting better and better."
A Houston native, Edwards transferred to CU from Blinn College in Texas. He cites Jeffcoat's presence as one of the reasons he chose to attend CU.
"We kind of grew up in the same type of area," Edwards said. "There are a lot of similarities between us. My uncle used to watch him all the time (when Jeffcoat was a star with the Dallas Cowboys). It's great playing to be coached by a future Hall of Famer — but like I tell him all the time, I'm going to be better than him."
Edwards was also impressed by what he likes to call the "organization."
"I like the style of play and the way the organization does things," he said. "You can tell they're going to push you to be the best you can be, whether it's conditioning or practice, and the rest is up to you."
After just two days of practice in shorts and helmets — "pajamas" Jeffcoat says — it's still difficult to accurately gauge how the defensive linemen are performing. But even in the 11-on-11 no-contact drills, it's not hard to see that Edwards has the potential to be a force.
"We'll know more when we put pads on," he said.
But one thing he has already discovered in his short time in Boulder? His teammates and friends weren't lying when they told him the altitude would be a challenge.
"Everybody said it was going to be hard, but I didn't believe them," Edwards admitted with a grin. "The first time we worked out and ran, I thought I was going to die. I couldn't even catch my breath. I just thanked God that I made it.
"But I've adjusted. I still feel it a little bit, but every day it's getting better and better."
With 13 spring practices remaining, he plans to continue improving at the same rate. Meanwhile, in his spare time, he'll continue to enjoy a view he still finds "amazing."
"I still can't believe how nice the mountains are — they look almost like they're fake," he said. "It's like somebody just set them there. It's beautiful."
D-LINE EARLY LOOK: With three starters gone from last year's squad, reloading in the trenches will be a key for the defense, but the Buffs appear to have a good start in that direction.
Along with Edwards, newcomer Chris Mulumba is also making an early impression with what Jeffcoat termed "great quickness." Mulumba, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound JC transfer has also shown quick hands and great balance, a byproduct of his judo training (he earned a black belt in his native Finland).
There is also plenty of returning experience on the line. Senior Leo Jackson III, a starter two years ago, has added some muscle, as have Jase Franke and Timothy Coleman. All three have considerable experience and should figure in the mix for significant playing time. Coaches are also excited about the potential of sophomore Frank Umu, and redshirt freshman Terriek Roberts is getting some quality time.
And, there's one more newcomer to the bunch — senior George Frazier, a tight end/H-back who played defensive line as a freshman before concentrating solely on offense the last two years. Listed at 260 pounds, Frazier has enough size to play on the line and the speed to make him a pass rush threat, particularly in nickel situations, where he's been practicing already.
"It feels great," said Frazier, a team captain last year. "It's fun to get out there and be physical and and get my hands on people and try to move them."
Overall, the situation looks promising, even at a place where the Buffs must replace three starters.
"With all the guys we have coming back and the new guys, we've got some good depth," Jeffcoat said. "That's the exciting thing. They're all working hard and they all want to get better. Nobody's not giving the effort, which is what you really want to see."
PRACTICE REPORT: Head coach Mike MacIntyre said after Friday's practice that sophomore running back Beau Bisharat, who has clearly added several pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-2, 215 pound frame, could definitely see more time with the ball in his hands this season.
"I look for him to be able to run the football more," MacIntyre said. "He's a big back, he kind of gives us a changeup. Most of our backs are littler and he's a bigger guy. I think he'll have a role for us this year for sure at running back."
Bisharat appeared in 10 games on offense last season (all 14 on special teams) and finished with 15 carries for 45 yards. But as the year wore on, he assumed a bigger and bigger role as a blocking back when the Buffs went to a two-back set.
MacIntyre also said safety Evan White, back after a year away from the program, has had a good first two days of practice.
"Evan has looked really good moving around back there," MacIntyre said. "He's stronger than he was when he left."
White will play safety and also the "Buff" spot created by CU coaches last year, a hybrid linebacker/defensive back position. The spot was manned last year by Ryan Moeller, and it's expected that he will once again fill the role. But White adds another bigger body — 6-foot-2, 210 pounds — to the secondary, where the Buffs must replace three starters from a year ago, and his versatility is a plus.
Also continuing to show some versatility is junior Nick Fisher. MacIntyre said Fisher will primarily play safety, but will also see some time at nickel back. "He's done a good job and he kept coming on as the year went on," MacIntyre said. "He's played well when he's had his opportunities, so I'm looking forward to seeing him kind of take the next step this spring."
PRACTICE TIDBITS: After a sun-splashed, 70-degree day to greet their opening workout on Wednesday, snow showers sent the Buffs inside to their Indoor Practice Facility on Friday. ... Inside linebacker Drew Lewis has had some bright spots in the first two days, showing good speed and ability to break to the ball. … Cornerback Trey Udoffia had several nice plays Friday. … Wide receiver Lee Walker has been a regular target of Steven Montez in the first two practices. … Redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Noyer looked sharp on Friday, throwing short and medium routes with precision.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will wrap up their first week of spring drills on Saturday with their first day in full pads, with their first day of tackling in pads scheduled for Monday. The first scrimmage of the spring is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 4.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
