Colorado University Athletics
Position Preview: No Secret, Buffs WRs Expect Big Season
August 27, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Heading into fall camp, there was no position group on the Colorado roster that held more potential, more promise — and perhaps more intrigue — than wide receiver.
Now, four weeks later, expectations have only increased. The group that last year played a major role in helping the Buffs become the sixth-most productive offense in CU history (446.3 yards per game) has by all accounts had an outstanding camp in every regard. The four returning starters — seniors Shay Fields, Bryce Bobo, Devin Ross and junior Jay MacIntyre — all seemed to take their games up a notch, taking full advantage of their second year in CU's up-tempo offense as well as developing even better chemistry with quarterback Steven Montez.
As for the intrigue … the starters made sure it was kept to a minimum. While camp began with the possibility of one of a host of other wideouts breaking into the starting lineup, there was no movement on the depth chart four weeks later. Backups Juwann Winfree, Kabion Ento, Lee Walker and Johnny Huntley III all had solid camps, as did true freshmen Laviska Shenault Jr. and K.D. Nixon — but none made enough of a jump to squeeze past the returning starters.
But what those receivers did do is add even more depth to the position. Now, says co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini, the Buffs can send in fresh wideouts without worrying about a significant drop in ability.
"If our starters get tired and the next group goes in, I'm not worried about putting them in the game," Chiaverini said. "It shouldn't be a big dropoff."
The numbers from last year are impressive: Ross led CU in receptions (66 for 765 yards and 5 touchdowns). Fields led in yardage (52-845, 9 TDs), followed by Bobo (41-523, 2 TDs) and MacIntyre (30-390, 1 TD). Combined with running back Phillip Lindsay (47-390, 1 TD), they became the first CU team in history with five players with at least 30 receptions.
This year they have the chance to eclipse those numbers.
"We have a lot of guys who have played a lot of college football and that's a rarity these days," Chiaverini said. "It's exciting to have guys who know what the expectations are and know how to be coached. I've been excited about how everybody has come together and they're all on the same page right now. When we're up to speed, our tempo offense has a chance to be very, very dynamic — and I think our guys know what the expectations are."
With so many talented wideouts, there are those who will wonder if there will be enough opportunities to satisfy each receiver.
Chiaverini said there are no worries in that regard.
"One thing I've always been big on as a coach is that opportunities are going to find you," he said. "If you're pouting, have that 'woe is me' kind of attitude, the ball is going to come your way and you're not going to make the play. What every one of our guys found out last year is that the ball is going to find you in this offense — and when the opportunity does present itself, you have to make the play. They saw how the ball gets spread around in this offense and they know they have to be on top of their game on every play to take advantage."
If there's one thing Chiaverini has stressed in camp, it is consistency. While the Buffs last year threatened to become the first offense in CU history to average more than 500 yards per game — they finished with six 500-plus games — they tailed off slightly at the end of the season.
"I think they learned that even when things are going great, we have to find a way to make plays," Chiaverini said. "They know that some days, things aren't going to be going our way and we're still going to have to find a way to manufacture first downs and score points."
Now, with Friday night's opener against Colorado State in Denver on the immediate horizon, Chiaverini said he thinks his group will be ready.
"They've all had a good camp, they've all made plays whenever they've had the opportunity," he said. "These are veteran guys who know what the level of competition is going to be next week. Now they're starting to get their minds right and their bodies are following suit."
WHO'S BACK: Senior Shay Fields, senior Bryce Bobo, senior Devin Ross, senior Kabion Ento, senior Kevin Dement, junior Jay MacIntyre, junior Lee Walker, junior Juwann Winfree, junior Xavier Cochrane, junior Cameron Frazier, sophomore Johnny Huntley III.
WHO'S NEW: Sophomore Erik Lawson (transfer), freshman Laviska Shenault Jr., freshman K.D. Nixon, freshman Jaylon Jackson, freshman Maurice Bell, freshman Curtis Chiaverini.
WHAT'S IN STORE: Ranked by some as one of the top 10 receiving corps in the nation, it is a talented, deep bunch — and they can hit you in every way. Fields has excellent speed, Ross has explosive quickness, Bobo is a big, physical receiver and MacIntyre makes tough catches across the middle. Throw in a group of talented reserves and this bunch has the potential to set all kinds of CU receiving records.
STAT TO REMEMBER: Last year, the Buffs had 41 pass completions of 20 yards or longer. Every player who caught at least one of those passes is back this year.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Players Mentioned
