Buffs WR Ento Making Strong Bid In Spring Ball

BOULDER — It's no secret that wide receiver is one of the most heated position battles in spring ball for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Not only do the Buffs have every receiver who caught a pass last year returning, there are a host of talented receivers ready to join the team next summer.

It is, quite simply, a situation that means every pass caught in every practice is magnified in importance — never mind every conditioning drill, every sprint and every meeting.

Put senior Kabion Ento on the list of wideouts who are making the most of every one of those opportunities. In Wednesday's first full-contact work of spring ball, Ento hauled in two long touchdown passes — one each from quarterbacks Steven Montez and Sam Noyer — along with a sky-high leaping grab on the sidelines. It was clearly the best performance of any of the wide receivers on the day.

"It's what my coach always talks about, making the most of your opportunities," Ento said after the practice "They're not going to put more on you than you can handle; but you have to be ready to handle everything they give you. I just have to keep improving and become more consistent, and it all starts in practice."

Ento, a junior college transfer, made his first reception as a Buff last season one to remember. Against Idaho State, CU's second game of the year, he grabbed a short pass from Montez, evaded a pair of defenders and then raced to the end zone with a 69-yard touchdown. He became just the 14th known player in Buffs history to score a touchdown on his first touch, and it was also the first pass of Montez's college career.

Ento finished the season with eight catches for two touchdowns (he added another against Idaho State) and a team-leading 21.8-yards per catch average, with seven of his eight catches going for 10 yards or more.

But his most important catches of the year came late in the season. In his only start of the season — replacing an injured Bryce Bobo — Ento had two catches against Utah in CU's Pac-12 South title-clinching win. One of those catches was a 27-yarder that helped set up a touchdown and 21-7 CU lead; and he also had two catches the previous week against Washington State.

Now, Ento would like to work his way into the rotation on a more frequent basis — and if his early production in spring ball is any indication, he's on his way to accomplishing that.

"His progression from last year to this year has been immense," offensive co-coordinator and wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini said. "He's making big-time plays. He's pushing the group and he's pushing the guys that are in front of him. He's etching out a really good niche for himself in this offense and the things we want to do with him."

At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Ento is a physical receiver who can go up and get the ball in traffic, his height makes him tough to cover in one-on-one situations and he is also tough to bring down. It's part of his game he would like to utilize more.

"I'm trying to be a more physical player," Ento said. "I've been trying to finesse things a little, but I'm a bigger guy and I need to be a little more physical. Watching Bobo, he's a great physical wide receiver. If I can mimic his game a little bit, then I'll be a lot better."

The competition out wide is no doubt stiff. Along with Bobo and senior Shay Fields, sophomore Johnny Huntley III and redshirt freshman Derrion Rakestraw are in the mix, and all have made plays this spring. Then, when fall camp opens, there will be several highly regarded freshmen arriving, along with the return of junior Juwann Winfree.

"Last year I was just trying to get a feel for the system, but I had two junior college years under my belt and I probably should have done better than I did," Ento said. "I probably could have made more of my opportunities."

Now, that's something he's not going to let slip by in spring ball.

"Whatever happens is for my coaches to determine," he said. "I just try to come out here and work every day. I need to show that I'm working hard every rep and when the ball comes to you, catch it — or you might not see it again for a while."

SCHEDULE: After a day off Thursday, the Buffs will resume practice Friday and Saturday, with the first scrimmage of spring ball set for Saturday.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu