Buffs Newcomers Making Immediate Impression In Spring Ball
February 26, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When head coach Mike MacIntyre announced Colorado's 2018 recruiting class, he made it clear that he believed several members of the class would come in and immediately compete for playing time.
Three spring practices have done nothing to dispel that belief. The five junior college transfers who are enrolled and participating in practice are making rapid progress, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
"The junior college players that are here are showing some good things," defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said after Monday's practice. "They increased the level of competition right away, and we had some returning guys that are playing well too. It really is wide open in a lot of places and it's good competition."
The five JC transfers here for the spring are defensive backs Delrick Abrams Jr. and Aaron Maddox, defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson, Buff back Davion Taylor and tight end Darrion Jones. Maddox is out with a shoulder injury, but the other four are getting plenty of repetitions with the top two units.
It is making for a competitive spring at nearly every position on defense.
"It's wide open out there," Eliot said. "Guys are working hard. They're making some mistakes, but that's to be expected. We've only had three practices, so we'll see how things go, but we're guys do some good things."
Up front, Johnson is displaying a nose for the ball and the versatility that will allow him to line up at end in a 3-4 alignment as well as play inside when the Buffs shift to their nickel package. A 6-foot-2, 285-pound sophomore, Johnson has been getting regular reps with the top two units in both spots.
"He's done some really good things," Eliot said. "He's a really quick-twitch guy who is fast and explosive. Mustafa has the size to do both — he can play inside and also be a pass rusher."
Taylor has the perfect combination of size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and speed to play the hybrid safety-linebacker Buff back. He is also getting plenty of reps as he learns the nuances of playing the position.
"He's got a lot of speed and done some good things already," Eliot said. "Right now, he's still developing as a technician."
Abrams is competing at cornerback, another spot where the competition will almost certainly go deep into fall camp. The Buffs have two players there — Trey Udoffia and Dante Wigley — who combined for 13 starts last year, and they are again getting time with the top units. But Abrams is also getting his share of snaps matching up against CU's top receivers, as are sophomore Ronnie Blackmon and redshirt freshman Chris Miller.
Both Miller and Abrams have come up with some big plays in the early practices.
But it is not just the newcomers who have been impressive early. As Eliot noted, "The guys coming back from last year — guys like Drew Lewis, Rick Gamboa, Evan Worthington, Nick Fisher, Chris Mulumba, Dante Sparaco — those guys are getting better, too."
The key this spring, Eliot said, will be continuing to identify the playmakers are and then putting them in the best possible position to make those plays.
"I think we're finding out who those guys are," Eliot said. "We have a lot of spring left and then fall camp. But we're finding out who they are and they are getting their chance to show us what they can do."
WELLS ON THE OUTSIDE: Redshirt freshman Carson Wells is getting some work at outside linebacker with the No. 1 and No. 1 units, another place where competition is wide open. Wells has added some muscle to his frame since arriving, and is now a healthy 242 pounds.
"I think it's going well," he said after Monday's practice. "I'm just working off some of the rust from fall camp. I've been running with the twos and with the ones some and it's just nice to get back out here."
There's plenty of competition at the outside this year. Back after a season's absence is Nu'umoto Falo Jr., along with Dante Sparaco and Jacob Callier.
"We fuel each other every day and we push each other to try to be the best we can be," Wells said. "There's competition, but we're all still a group, we're all still a team."
Wells, who played defensive end in high school, is showing a natural ability to get off the edge and get to the quarterback. After a fall in the system, he is also becoming much more comfortable with his assignments.
"I like being out in space," Wells said. "Outside, there's not as much to think about as inside. You just react. I've gotten bigger and faster, my pass rush moves are a lot better and I'm better at dropping into coverage. I think I have a lot better feel for the defense, too."
Eliot, who also coaches outside linebackers, said Wells is improving at a steady pace.
"Carson's done some good things," Eliot said. "He's physically always been really good. Technique-wise, he needed to develop. Redshirting him this year helped him develop those skills and now we're seeing some better things from him this spring."
PRACTICE REPORT: One player who has turned heads consistently thus far is wide receiver Juwann Winfree. The senior wideout had another outstanding day Monday, catching a pair of touchdown passes in 11-on-11 drills, along with a beautiful diving catch and a one-handed grab on the sidelines. … Senior wideout Kabion Ento also hauled in a nice long-ball touchdown … Safety Nick Fisher came up with an interception. … Redshirt freshman cornerback Chris Miller continues to catch the eyes of coaches. …
Coaches continue to juggle the lineup on the offensive line. Monday, Colby Pursell returned to action to get some snaps at center, with Brett Tonz playing guard and center. Dillon Middlemiss, William Sherman and Chance Lytle also continue to get work at guard, while Aaron Haigler and Josh Kaiser are outside at the tackle spots with the first unit. ...
Defensively, junior Lyle Tuiloma and freshman Jalen Sami continue to get work at nose tackle. Sami is a big — 6-foot-6, 320 pounds — youngster who could be a physical presence.
"He's powerful and strong like we thought," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "He got tired today (first day in full pads), but I was expecting that. But he pushed through it. He didn't quit. … Hell get better and better in that area. I've been impressed with his ability to bend, his strength, his power, and how physical he's trying to play."
The Buffs continue to experiment with ways to get sophomore wideout K.D. Nixon the ball. Nixon is a powerfully built 5-foot-8, 185 pounds. Last season, he had three carries and two catches, and can line up out wide, in the slot or even in the backfield.
"KD can do a lot of different things," MacIntyre said. "We'll just try to find different ways to find him the football and utilize him. He's kind of built between a running back and a receiver and he can do a little bit of all of it. We have to find ways to utilize his talents the best in certain situations and that's what we're trying to do.
FIRST DAY IN PADS: After two days in shorts and helmets, the Buffs put on full pads Monday, but it was a "thud" day with no tackling.
"We were more physical," MacIntyre said. "Got a little more tired in practice because you're hitting and absorbing stuff more. ... Overall the energy and attention to detail by everybody was farther ahead than it was this time last year. The focus there was good."
The Buffs will be back in full pads Wednesday, with the first scrimmage work of camp on the agenda.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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