Worthington's Versatility A Big Plus In Buffs Secondary
August 12, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado junior Evan Worthington has been a busy man in the Buffaloes' fall camp thus far.
In the first 12 practices of camp, Worthington has lined up at every position possible in the CU secondary — safety, corner, Buff back and nickel.
His favorite?
"The one when I'm on the field," Worthington said with a grin earlier this week. "As long as I'm on the field, that's my favorite position."
It's safe to say Worthington will almost certainly be lined up at his favorite position when the Buffs open the season Sept. 1 against Colorado State in Denver. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior brings a high level of athleticism, a nice dose of experience and plenty of versatility to the CU secondary — a place where the Buffs are in the process of replacing three starters from last season.
Worthington's ability and versatility are both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because he can fill so many roles; a curse because he's not always concentrating on the nuances of just one position.
"I tell him it's God's gift that he has the ability to go do all those things, because not everybody has that," CU secondary coach ShaDon Brown said. "Evan has done a really nice job in the roles that I've put him in and all the things I've given him. He's getting better and better on a daily basis and he's getting more comfortable all the time."
Worthington hasn't played in a game since his sophomore season in 2015. He spent last year away from the team after being suspended for violating team rules. But while that time away from the game — and his teammates — was difficult, it also whetted his appetite and helped him rededicate himself to the sport and school once he was given a second chance.
The difference, head coach Mike MacIntyre said, has been dramatic.
"I see a kid that left a confused 19-year-old that came back a mature 20-year-old and understood that his chance in life is this opportunity," MacIntyre said. "He's doing great in school, he's doing great on the football field, he's doing great off the field. I just see a guy that grew up. Learned from it and took it. Some people just start pouting and blaming everybody else. He didn't. He looked inside and he's really grown. That's really exciting for me and all the players around. I'm excited for Evan Worthington."
Worthington, who also became a father during his time away from the team, said he turned his forced absence into motivation.
"Being gone for a year just motivated me to get better at everything — getting in shape, getting bigger, everything," he said. "Sitting and watching everybody else play football last year made me hungry. It was depressing sitting there and watching, especially when team had such a good year and I missed it all."
He's now determined to make the most of his second chance — and do his part to make sure the Buffs' success continues. It's one reason he has been more than willing to learn every position.
"I think my versatility is definitely going to help me," he said. "If we have good players all around, they're going to have to find somewhere to put me out there. That's what I'm made for — I'm just out here doing what they want me to do. If they want me to play corner, if they want me to play Buff, if they want me to play safety, I'm going to step up and give it 110 percent every time."
Worthington has plenty of experience. He played in 12 games as a true freshman, including three starts, and finished with 31 tackles. But that playing time slipped his sophomore year, as he appeared in 11 games — no starts — and was credited with just two tackles on defense.
But that is all now in the distant past.
Blessed with good speed and size, Worthington's physical style makes him best suited to to play safety or Buff, the hybrid linebacker-safety spot CU's defense utilizes in pass situations. But wherever he ends up, he has the tools to be a big factor in CU's secondary.
"He's done a much better job of not having mental busts," Brown said. "He had some of those in the spring, but he's a lot more comfortable now because he's getting back into the feel for the game. Truth is, he's just ready to play against another colored jersey. He hasn't played a game of football now for a while."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
