Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Boast Plenty Of Young Talent At Quarterback
February 27, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When it comes to Colorado's quarterbacks this year, it is a position fairly bursting with potential — and scant in experience.
All told, the entire Buffaloes roster of quarterbacks has exactly one player who has thrown a pass in a college game — sophomore Steven Montez, who also happens to be the "veteran" of the group. Only walkon senior T.J. Patterson is older than Montez; after that, the rest of the roster consists of three redshirt freshmen and a true freshman.
They are indeed the Buffs' "Young Guns."
"As a redshirt sophomore, being the veteran in the group is a little crazy, a little surreal," Montez said after Monday morning's practice. "But you have to grow up quick and be a leader and that's what I'm trying to do."
Fact is, Montez actually gained much more experience last year than CU's coaches were originally expecting.
First, he received the majority of repetitions in spring ball when starter Sefo Liufau was out with a foot injury.
Then, after Liufau went down with an ankle injury in the third game of the season, Montez got three starts under his belt before Liufau returned, posting a 2-1 record in those games. Montez also got plenty of experience later in the season in relief, including some time in the Pac-12 championship game and the Alamo Bowl.
By season's end, he had 119 pass attempts and 47 rushes to his credit and had accounted for 1,177 offensive yards and 11 touchdowns.
"When you look at it, Montez really gained quite a bit of experience last year," Buffs offensive co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Lindgren said. "He got some starts and had some on the road in some tough situations, and then came into some of those games when Sefo got dinged. He's not coming in without any experience."
Thus far this spring, Montez has done nothing to indicate he will do anything but build on that experience and take another step next fall. After trimming some excess weight, he's not only leaner and faster, he also seems to have improved his accuracy as well as his presence and comfort level in the pocket.
He is, simply, looking every bit the part of a high-level Divsion I starting quarterback.
"Steven's throwing good," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He's doing real well throwing it, very active with his arm, he's moving better. He always moves well but he's moving a lot better now that he's in better shape."
But even with a "veteran" Montez at the position, the Buffs know they must also develop some depth in the event of an injury. It is why it is such an important spring for redshirt freshman Sam Noyer and true freshman Tyler Lytle, both of whom are participating in their first spring session.
"I really like where we are with both of those guys," Lindgren said. "They're both doing some good things this spring. I think they're getting better. It's been great because we've been getting a lot of reps and a lot of quality work for them, going out there and going through some of the basic install and doing it full speed. It's been really beneficial for them. I think you can see the growth they've made even over the course of four practices."
Noyer, who spent most of last fall guiding the scout team in practices, is now taking a few snaps with the No. 1 offense along with plenty with the No. 2 group.
"For Sam, physically right now he's where you want him," Lindgren said. "He's really done a nice job in the weight room and he's really doing a nice job throwing the football. For him it's just a matter of getting more comfortable with the system — the progressions, the reads, that sort of thing. As he keeps going through the spring and continues to be in it and get the reps, he's going to continue to progress. I'm happy where he's at, but I'm anxious for him to make that next step."
Noyer is clearly more comfortable in the offense than he was last summer. The benefit of getting snaps with more veterans around him has also been beneficial.
"The first few days of spring ball, things are coming at you fast," he said. "But I think I'm picking it up pretty well. It's nice having weapons and an offensive line that you know is going to get the job done. It definitely helps you feel more comfortable back there."
Lytle, a member of the just-signed recruiting class, graduated from high school in December in order to get a jump start on his college career. While many of his peers are still worrying about their prom dates, Lytle is enrolled at CU and is studying CU's playbook.
"I've been extremely impressed with Tyler," Lindgren said. "I've been thinking back when I was that age. Coming out this early — still really his senior year of high school — he's jumped in and done a lot of good things. He's flashed on multiple occasions. He's really working hard and picking it up. I like where he's at and I'm excited to keep working with him and developing him."
QUARTERBACKS EARLY LOOK: While nothing is official, it would be a shock of rather large proportions if Montez isn't the Buffs' starter next fall.
While he looked impressive last spring simply because of his raw ability, his playing time last year was no doubt invaluable in his development as a true college quarterback. He's becoming more and more aware of the nuances of the game every day and is reading defenses, making good decisions and looks ready to take his game to another level.
Equally important, he's slowly but surely stepping into the role of a team leader — something that's not easy for a sophomore.
But what will be of equal importance for the Buffs this spring and fall will be doing everything possible to make sure there is a capable backup in place.
The similarities between the three top quarterbacks is striking, right down to their physical stature. They are all tall, athletic players with big arms and a head for the game.
Noyer no doubt has the edge in vying for the No. 2 spot, simply because he has already had a year in the program. He's also obviously made the most of his time in the weight room and has blossomed physically. He's benefiting from his time with the No. 1 and No. 2 offensive units and is quickly showing he knows how to read defenses.
Lytle, though, seems ready to play catch-up in a hurry. He has already impressed coaches and teammates with his accuracy and arm strength, and as Lindgren said, he has already shown "flashes" of big-play potential.
The Buffs also have several other arms available, including redshirt freshmen walkons Casey Marksberry and Tyler McGarry, as well as senior T.J. Patterson.
Bottom line? While inexperience could be an issue, talent won't be, as this is likely the most talented overall group of quarterbacks MacIntyre has had in his tenure in Boulder.
PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs conducted their fourth practice of the spring Monday morning, their second in full pads.
"They've been doing well, working at it hard," MacIntyre said. "You move people around, you see different things because you mix and match different things at times trying to get certain guys reps. I thought they did well."
MacIntyre also said he thought new defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot is adjusting quickly.
"He's doing really well," MacIntyre said. "He knew (the defense), he just had to change some terminology a little bit. We haven't missed a beat on any of that type of thing. He understands all that we do."
MacIntyre also said sophomore tackle Isaac Miller is closer to being ready to fully participate in spring drills.
"Hopefully he'll be back full speed, we need him," MacIntyre said. "He will be (in mix at tackle) when he gets out there full speed, for sure."
MIXING AND MATCHING: CU coaches continue to work a variety of players at different positions as they see what combinations might work. Sophomore offensive lineman Tim Lynott Jr., the only CU lineman to start all 14 games last season, is once again seeing some time at center, as is Jonathan Huckins, as the Buffs continue the search for a replacement for three-year starter Alex Kelley.
MacIntyre said Lynott is obviously most comfortable at guard, as that's where he played last season. "But he can play center and he could be very good at it," MacIntyre said. "He's more comfortable at center than he was this time last spring or last fall. Now he's doing it a lot more, he understands it, I think he understands all the calls."
Also getting some work in this spring have been Josh Kaiser and Dillon Middlemiss at tackle, and Jeromy Irwin has been working at guard. Defensively, the Buffs are taking a look at redshirt freshman Sam Bennion at outside linebacker while N.J. Falo, who played outside last year, is getting some work at inside linebacker. …
At Monday morning's practice, George Frazier, Javier Edwards and Timothy Coleman each had their moments in 1-on-1 drills vs. the offensive line. … On the offensive side, Irwin and Lynott had good outings. … Defensive back Isaiah Oliver was back on the field Monday after spending the weekend competing in the Mountain States Pacific Federation heptathlon, where he finished ninth. … Safety Ryan Moeller had a nice interception of a deep ball in team drills. … Shay Fields, who is having an excellent spring thus far, came up with a nice leaping catch in traffic. ... Sophomore Brett Tonz, who made the move from defensive line to offensive line this spring, is also turning some heads.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will be back on the field Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week; with a scrimmage tentatively scheduled for Saturday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
