Spring Ball Preview: Buffs Have Key Returnees, Quality Newcomers On Defense
February 15, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — A year ago, the Colorado Buffaloes entered spring ball with a new defensive coordinator, a new secondary coach, a new inside linebackers coach — and the job of replacing eight starters on defense.
This year, the scenario is much different. While there are again some new assistants — Ashley Ambrose joins ShaDon Brown in the secondary to coach cornerbacks and Kwahn Drake takes over the defensive line — as well as some losses to graduation, there is still much more continuity across the board.
For starters, defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot should now be much more comfortable in his second spring. Eliot not only has a much better idea who his playmakers are, but he also has a better understanding of how they fit into his scheme, how they will play over the course of a season — and how he can tweak that scheme to take better advantage of the players who can make game-changing plays.
As for returnees, the Buffs also have more key contributors returning. While CU did lose some quality defenders — most notably cornerback Isaiah Oliver, Afolabi Laguda, Ryan Moeller, Leo Jackson and Derek McCartney — the holes caused by graduation are by no means as big as they were last year.
Here's a quick position-by-position breakdown of CU's defense as the Buffs prepare to open spring ball next Friday (Feb. 23):
Defensive line — This is one area in which the Buffs must make some big strides — both in run defense and rushing the passer — and spring ball will be a crucial part of that development.
There are some talented returnees, most notably Javier Edwards, Chris Mulumba and Jase Franke. Mulumba (39 tackles last season, second-most on the DL) made some big strides down the stretch and has the potential to become a key contributor. Edwards continues to work on his conditioning and stamina and should also be improved, and Franke continues to improve his consistency. Also returning is junior Lyle Tuiloma, who has the chance to make a difference.
But the key here will be newcomers and how quickly Drake can have an influence. Redshirt sophomore Terriek Roberts will get his opportunity to earn some playing time, and coaches believe junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson could have an immediate impact. CU coaches are also excited about the potential of redshirt freshman Terrance Lang, who has made the most of his time in the weight room and could be a pass rush force off the edge in a hurry.
It will be interesting to see how CU coaches utilize their personnel here. While the Buffs' base defense is still a 3-4, CU also often uses two down linemen and two rush ends in pass-rush situations. Given the personnel, it wouldn't be a surprise to the Buffs make some tweaks to take advantage of players such as Lang, who can come off the ball and wreak havoc in the pocket.
One player who won't be here for the spring but could provide some immediate help next fall is true freshman Israel Antwine, a 300-pounder who coaches think could be a factor right away.
Outside linebackers — While Colorado lists two OLBs on its depth chart in the base 3-4 defense, truth is the Buffs didn't line up with two true outside 'backers very often. Derek McCartney — gone to graduation — played 664 snaps, but no other true OLB played more than 217.
One reason is the presence of the Buff back, a hybrid linebacker/safety. CU utilizes the Buff back in a variety of situations, with the player able to play the run, rush the passer and also drop into pass coverage. It requires an excellent athlete with keen football instincts, and the Buffs believe they have such a player here in incoming JC transfer Davion Taylor. Don't be surprised to see Taylor make an immediate impact.
While there's not a ton of experience returning at OLB, there are plenty of talented if relatively untested players, including sophomore Jacob Callier. The sophomore showed a terrific knack for rushing the passer last year, finishing with one sack, a team-high 11 quarterback pressures and a fumble recovery in just 196 snaps.
The position should also be bolstered by the return of Nu'umoto Falo Jr., back after a one-year suspension. Falo is another physically gifted player with a knack for getting to the quarterback. Others who should find themselves in the mix include sophomore Dante Sparaco, junior Shamar Hamilton (who sat out last year with an injury), redshirt freshman Carson Wells and sophomore Sam Bennion.
And, the Buffs have high hopes for JC transfer Alex Tchangam, who won't be here until the summer but could provide some immediate production.
Inside linebackers — Here, the Buffs have a pair of returning veterans in Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis, who both played more than 820 snaps last year and combined to finish with 236 tackles. Also returning is sophomore Nate Landman, who came on at the end of the year to get some quality time inside.
Gamboa is a heady, steady player with great instincts and knowledge of the game. Lewis is a terrific athlete who, coaches believe, simply might have worn down toward the season's end. Landman is a talented youngster with a nose for the ball.
The key here will be improving the run defense. Opponents last year punished Colorado inside, an issue that has to be addressed not only up front on the defensive line, but also at the second level.
The key here in the spring will be not only looking for continued improvement from Gamboa and Lewis, but the continued development of some depth. Landman will get his chance to earn more time, as will sophomore Akil Jones. Also in the mix will be redshirt freshmen Chase Newman and Jonathan Van Diest (who won't be available until fall camp because of a knee injury).
Cornerback — For the third straight year, the Buffs will lose a starting cornerback who will likely be playing on Sundays next fall.
Two years ago it was Kenneth Crawley, now with the New Orleans Saints. Last year it was Chidobe Awuzie (Cowboys) and Ahkello Witherspoon (49ers). This year, it is Isaiah Oliver, expected to go in the first two rounds of the April draft.
It will mean some wide open competition as new assistant Ambrose steps into the position.
It's not as if the Buffs don't have any returning experience here. Redshirt sophomore Trey Udoffia started eight games and junior Dante Wigley started six. Both had some nice moments, but both also must make some big strides if Colorado is going to continue its tradition of quality corners. Their development this spring will be crucial.
Other players who have had at least a taste of playing time include sophomores Ronnie Blackmon and Derrion Rakestraw, while redshirt freshmen Chris Miller and Isaiah Lewis will have their chance to show their stuff.
But a big key here will be the newcomers, in particular JC transfer Delrick Abrams Jr. Abrams is a long, lean (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) corner who coaches hope could have an immediate impact.
Another key will be the presence of Ambrose. While MacIntyre did his best last year to help ShaDon Brown with the entire secondary, another pair of eyes and Ambrose's experience will be a huge help in the spring.
Safety — Gone is two-year starter Afolabi Laguda, but the return of Evan Worthington — a player with definite next-level potential — is a huge plus. Worthington played much of last year at safety, but also played Buff back after an injury to Moeller.
Worthington's nose for the ball is terrific. He finished the year with 86 tackles, a sack, five tackles for loss, four quarterback pressures, seven passes broken up, two forced fumbles and a team-high three interceptions. He is a solid run defender, a sure tackler and excellent in coverage — in short, a great anchor for the secondary. Under Brown's tutelage, he is a player who could very well hear his name being called in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Also returning is senior Nick Fisher, who has had some excellent flashes in his career but has also been hampered by injury. If Fisher can stay healthy, he could be a steady impact player.
Newcomers will also be important here. Coaches are hoping JC transfer Aaron Maddox will have an immediate impact, and true freshman Ray Robinson is already enrolled and on campus and will also have a chance to vie for playing time. Redshirt sophomore Kevin George, a JC transfer from the 2017 signing class, can play either safety or corner, and will likely get some time both places in the spring.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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