Colorado University Athletics
Woelk: Storylines Will Be Plentiful When Buffs Open Camp
July 06, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Cleaning out the notebook with some notes, observations and questions as Mike MacIntyre's Colorado Buffaloes approach the three-week countdown to the opening of fall camp (July 28):
1. Biggest question of camp? This one is easy. The major question mark that will hover over the Buffs not only in camp but well into the season will be how quickly the defense can bounce back from the loss of eight starters and three assistant coaches.
Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Buffs simply can't be as good defensively as they were a year ago. Of the eight starters lost, four were taken in the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, there is a new defensive coordinator (D.J. Eliot), a new inside linebackers coach (Ross Els) and a new secondary coach (ShaDon Brown). That kind of math doesn't add up to a repeat performance for a defense that was one of the best in the Pac-12 in 2016.
But I'll wait before pronouncing it as a pure rebuilding year for the Buffs defense. I liked what I saw in spring drills, particularly in terms of players quickly adapting to some minor changes (the base 3-4 scheme remains the same) as well as what appeared to be a relative seamless transition with the new coaches. Eliot took control quickly and by virtually all measures, the defense made good strides in its 15 spring workouts.
One thing we do know is this is by no means a defense bereft of talent, and the on-field leadership is outstanding. The guess here is that CU's defense will surprise some folks before all is said and done.
2. Most difficult hole to fill this year? Lots of folks will say it is the leadership provided by the departing seniors, particularly on defense and especially that of Chidobe Awuzie, Tedric Thompson, Kenneth Olugbode, etc. It would be hard to argue with those folks.
Still, there are plenty of returning veterans who can assume the role those players held. The Buffs won't skip a beat in that department with people such as Jeromy Irwin, Afolabi Laguda, Phillip Lindsay, Rick Gamboa and George Frazier on the field. These are players who have been through the wars and they will make sure their teammates are all on the same page.
But the one area that will be difficult — if not impossible — to replicate will be the aura of toughness that quarterback Sefo Liufau brought to the team. Liufau wasn't just the heart and soul of the Buffs for his four years in Boulder, he was the guts. Liufau had the respect of every player in the locker room because he earned it — not only on the field, but in practice, in offseason workouts and in games. Players went the extra mile for their quarterback because they knew he did the same for them.
It's not often that one of the toughest players on the team, mentally and physically, is the quarterback, and it was clear that the Buffs fed off that toughness and resiliency. For four years, Liufau got up off the mat and answered the bell, and his teammates revered him for that attitude. It will be interesting to see if anyone can assume that role this year.
3. Unheralded player ready to make name for himself. For the last two years, inside linebacker Rick Gamboa has toiled alongside such standouts as Kenneth Olugbode and Addison Gillam. Thrust into a starting role as a redshirt freshman, Gamboa has improved steadily, but has never received any kind of acclaim.
That could change this year. Gamboa is a heady player who one assistant coach has described as being "a coach on the field." He's quietly become a team leader and has gotten bigger, faster and stronger. One of the Buffs' clear leaders in summer workouts, don't be surprised if Gamboa — who has received almost no attention in the preseason all-conference teams — puts his name on a few of those teams at season's end.
4. Is quarterback Steven Montez ready to take the next step? What is quite clear is that Montez has the tools to become an elite quarterback. He has a cannon for an arm, has good size (6-foot-5, 225) and has shown the ability to make plays both from the pocket and on the run. Physically, he is as gifted as any quarterback CU has had in years.
The question now is whether he can assume the role of a leader in every sense of the word. Replacing Liufau is more than replacing a position — it will mean he will also have to show some of the toughness and leadership that was inherent with Liufau and rubbed off on everyone else on the team. Montez had a very good spring, but he will need to take the next step in the intangible category. That means being a leader on and off the field and making sure every one of his teammates know that his No. 1 priority is winning games. It's a process that won't come overnight, but one that is earned over time.
5. Most intense position battle. Another easy one. Not only do the Buffs have every wide receiver who caught a ball last year returning, they have a host of others who will make earning a starting spot — and keeping it — a difficult task.
There's no doubt the Buffs are loaded here. Last year's leaders in yards and touchdowns (Shay Fields, 845 and nine), catches (Devin Ross, 66) and ESPN highlight reel catches (Bryce Bobo) are all back. All have had good offseasons and all have a chance to catch the eye of NFL scouts in their senior seasons.
But that list doesn't include senior Kabion Ento, who had perhaps the best spring of any of CU's wideouts, or Juwann Winfree, who had a terrific start to fall camp a year ago before being sidelined by a knee injury.
Want to add more to the mix? Try newcomers Laviska Shenault Jr. and K.D. Nixon, a pair of incoming freshmen who are already turning heads this summer. Shenault is a big-bodied wideout who doesn't look like a freshman and could vie for playing time immediately; Nixon has great speed and an excellent first step. While it's hard to think incoming freshmen could make a significant impact at a position loaded with talented upperclassmen, it's not out of the realm of possibility in this case.
6. Is O-line ready to take another step forward? With four returning starters and a fifth player who has plenty of experience, this group should no doubt not only improve, but be a group that sets the tone for the rest of the team.
The leader here is clearly tackle Jeromy Irwin, a sixth-year senior who has been setting the tone by example and vocally in summer drills. Irwin has seen the worst of times as a Buff and was an integral figure in last season's 10-4, Pac-12 South title turnaround. He has no intention of allowing the Buffs to take a step back this year.
Also having a standout summer has been guard Gerrad Kough. Add returnees Tim Lynott Jr. and Aaron Haigler, along with senior Jonathan Huckins, and this group has the chance to be the foundation of a very special year for CU's offense.
7. Does RB Phillip Lindsay have another gear? It's difficult to think the Buffs senior could make another jump similar to the one he made last year, when he improved his rushing total from 653 yards in 2015 to 1,189 last year, his touchdown total from seven to 17 and his receiving total from 26 catches to 47.
But it's also not difficult to think that Lindsay could improve those numbers. He's been a tireless worker in the offseason, adding extra early morning workouts to the team's regular routine. He has benefitted greatly from the tutelage of RBs coach Darian Hagan, and if anyone can make another significant jump, it is Lindsay.
The interesting question here is who will be available to spell Lindsay when necessary. Last year, Kyle Evans stepped into the role. While Evans is recovering more quickly than anyone imagined from a dislocated hip, he still almost certainly won't be available when the season begins. That means the spot will be open to seniors Michael Adkins II and Donovan Lee and sophomore Beau Bisharat. While it may not be a glamorous position battle, it will nevertheless be one worth watching when camp opens.
8. Impact player on defense many folks have forgotten about. Try senior outside linebacker Derek McCartney, who was on his way to a terrific season a year ago before a season-ending injury at Michigan cut his year short in the third game of the season.
In 2015, McCartney was fifth on the team in tackles, led the Buffs in sacks and had one forced fumble and an interception. He also has a knack for big plays (witness his fumble return for a touchdown at Michigan). He has had a good offseason and has added some weight without hurting his speed and agility. If he stays healthy, he has the chance to be a major impact player.
9. So what about that defensive line? Ah, while the tendency is to remember that CU's secondary lost three NFL draft picks, the biggest question mark on defense might be the defensive line, where all three starters from 2016 graduated.
But there's some talent here, both returning and in the form of newcomers. Leo Jackson III, a regular starter in 2015 and a key backup last year, returns for his senior season. Key reserves Timothy Coleman and Jase Franke are also back, and newcomers Javier Edwards and Chris Mulumba showed plenty of promise in spring ball. While the position is definitely still an unknown, it is by no means one without potential.
10. Who has the edge in CU's opener? In an interesting twist, the Buffs will open the season Sept. 1 in Denver vs. in-state rival Colorado State — six days after the Rams open their season (and their new stadium) against Oregon State.
It is a situation with pluses and minuses.
The negative is that the Rams will have the opportunity to get the first-game kinks worked out, and that's not a minor detail. Coaches love to say that the biggest improvement is made between the first and second games, and that is especially true for young players. The Rams will no doubt benefit from having a game under their belt when they head to Denver.
But the positive for the Buffs is the obvious: Colorado's coaches will get to see virtually everything Colorado State has. Scheme, personnel, tendencies — all will be on display in the opener. It's also a bonus that CSU's opener comes against a Power 5 school, not a cupcake. It means the Rams likely won't be able to "hide" anything for the second week, but instead will likely have to show all their cards in the opener.
The vast majority of CU's starters will have previous starting experience, so first-game "nerves" shouldn't be a huge problem for the Buffs. Meanwhile, they will have a very good idea of what the Rams like to do and who their key personnel will be. In that sense, much of the guesswork that usually goes with an opener won't be part of the equation, and there's also the fact that it will be a short week for the Rams, as they will have to come back six days after the opener.
Overall, it's probably a plus for the Buffs.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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