Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: Depth On The Rise
August 31, 2009 | Football, B.G. Brooks
Skeptics will say it's taken long enough (Hawkins is 13-24 in three seasons at CU), but he and his staff have recruited well enough to allow talent, depth and experience to begin to surface on the depth chart.
It also allows the bulk of the 2009 freshman class to be redshirted.
"I look at this group, and you've got Deji (Olatoye) and Parker (Orms, both defensive backs) and probably those two linebackers (Liloa Nobriga, Derrick Webb) and all those (freshmen) O-linemen and Terdema (Ussery) and Jarrod (Darden, both receivers) . . . I mean all those guys a couple of years ago would have been pressed into action," Hawkins said.
Now, with more depth across the board, only three freshmen - receiver Will Jefferson and defensive linemen Nate Bonsu (tackle) and Forrest West (end) - likely will play Sunday when CU opens the season against Colorado State (5 p.m., Folsom Field, FSN).
One of two first-year quarterbacks - walk-on Seth Lobato or scholarship freshman Clark Evans - will be the No. 3 QB behind Tyler Hansen and Cody Hawkins. But Dan Hawkins would prefer that both the freshmen join their classmates in donning redshirts this fall.
In previewing the Buffaloes' game-week depth chart, Dan Hawkins indicated depth and talent finally are beginning to become apparent.
"It's really nice when you've got a couple of offensive linemen who've started games and now are your backups," he said.
"We're a little thin at the wideout position, but when those guys get some experience and (Markques) Simas gets back in the mix - that's going to be a representative group when we get everybody going."
The upswing in depth is particularly noticeable on special teams, he said: "You can go with a first and second group and have guys who've done it before and know what's going on. It's just amazing now the gap between the guys who know what they're doing and those that don't.
"It's not even close to what it was before."
CU's 2009 Game 1 depth chart, with the head coach's comment on each area:
OFFENSE
Wide receiver grouping (X,Z combination)
21 Scotty McKnight, 5-11, 185, Jr.**
15 Jason Espinoza, 5-8, 175, Soph.*
12 Ryan Maxwell, 5-8, 180, Soph.
1 Andre Simmons, 6-3, 210, Jr.
80 Will Jefferson, 5-11, 190, Fr.
16 Anthony Wright, 6-0, 190, Soph.*
25 Kevin Moyd, 5-7, 195, Sr.-5*** (also TB)
(6 Markques Simas, 6-2, 215, Soph.-SUSP.
Hawk's take: "We move those guys around, so it's not really one or the other (x or z positions). The guys in the mix are 'Espy' (Jason Espinoza), (Scotty) McKnight, Will (Jefferson), Anthony (Wright) and Andre (Simmons).
"Andre and Anthony have changed the position significantly, for sure. Both can run and catch.
"The other guys (Kevin Moyd, Cameron Ham, Dusty Ebner, Ryan Maxwell) will be role players; we always try to find something for everybody to do. And (Brian) Lockridge will be out there, too."
Offensive line
Left tackle
78 Nate Solder, 6-9, 305, Jr.**
53 Ryan Dannewitz, 6-6, 300, Fr.-RS
Left guard
63 Ethan Adkins, 6-4, 305, Soph.
68 Shawn Daniels, 6-3, 285, Soph.*
60 David Clark, 6-4, 310, Soph.   Â
Center                                          Â
64Â Â Mike Iltis, 6-3, 280, Soph.
56Â Â Keenan Stevens, 6-2, 290, Jr.
68Â Shawn Daniels, 6-3, 285, Soph.*
Right guard                                Â
73 Ryan Miller, 6-8, 320, Soph.**Â Â Â Â
 66 Blake Behrens, 6-3, 285, Soph.*
Right tackle
77 Bryce Givens, 6-6, 275, Fr.-RS
71 Matthew Bahr, 6-4, 295, Soph.*
68 Shawn Daniels, 6-3, 285, Soph.*
Hawk's take: "We're pretty solid in that group. We'll see how it comes around with Matt (Bahr, ankle injury in camp). He's certainly capable of getting in that mix. You've got Matt and Blake (Behrens) who started a whole bunch of games last year, and now they're backing up right now. That's a good sign that you've got a couple of guys who've played a bunch of snaps for you.
"I don't know that I have a lot of real questions (about the O-line), but I think the exciting thing is, I think they're a good bunch and they have a chance to get a lot better. I mean, they've gotten a lot better just in camp.
"You've basically got four new starters - with Bryce (Givens, right tackle) and Ryan (Miller) has moved into guard, (Mike) Iltis at center and (Ethan) Adkins at guard. It's interesting to see how Nate (Solder) is just a totally different player. Now, he's a gifted kid, but still just being in the saddle (last season) helps him.
"I think those guys are pretty good and have a chance to get really good."
Tight end grouping
87 Riar Geer, 6-4, 250, Sr.-5***
33 Patrick Devenny, 6-3, 240, Sr.-5*
34 Ryan Deehan, 6-5, 245, Soph.*
88 Devin Shanahan, 6-5, 250, Sr.-5* and
81Â Luke Walters, 6-3, 240, Sr.-5
Hawk's take: "You're looking at (Riar) Geer, (Ryan) Deehan and (Patrick) Devenny - all those guys have played, are pretty experienced and have been in a lot of different roles. They're all very flexible in what they do. I think 'Shanny' (Devin Shanahan) has really stepped up, and Luke Walters can do some things for you as well."
Tailback grouping
8 Demetrius Sumler, 5-10, 215, Jr. ** and
20 Brian Lockridge, 5-7, 180, Soph.* and
2 Darrell Scott, 6-1, 225, Soph.* and
5 Rodney Stewart, 5-6, 175, Soph.*Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
36 Corey Nabors, 5-9, 190, Jr.*
Fullback
41 Jake Behrens, 6-0, 240, Sr.-5**
34 Ryan Deehan, 6-5, 245, Soph.*44 Trace Adams, 6-0, 220, Sr.-5
Hawk's take: "We're pretty sound . . . I thought Darrell (Scott) benefitted when Rodney (Stewart) got hurt. Demetrius (Sumler) has proven that he's still really solid and has got great vision and can do it all. Corey (Nabors) has come back to running back and done some good things. And 'B-Lock' (Brian Lockridge) - he's just a totally different player. Jake (Behrens) is really steady at fullback."
Quarterback
9 Tyler Hansen, 6-1, 200, Soph.* or
7 Cody Hawkins, 5-11, 190, Jr.**
4 Clark Evans, 6-4, 225, Fr. or
10 Seth Lobato, 6-5, 205, Fr.
Hawk's take: "Both of those guys (Cody Hawkins, Tyler Hansen) have done good jobs competing in camp. They're good friends, they're good competitors, too. They both have their strong suits. It'll be a tough choice, but we'll be good to go with either one.
"We're trying to figure out between Seth (Lobato) and Clark (Evans) will be the third guy. Don't know that yet, but whoever it is, we'll get him up to speed and ready to go. That's the way the position is."
DEFENSE
Left defensive end
90 Marquez Herrod, 6-2, 280, Jr.**
93 Conrad Obi, 6-3, 275, Soph.*Â Â Â Â Â
Defensive tackle
50 Curtis Cunningham, 6-1, 275, Soph.*
97 Â Taj Kaynor, 6-5, 275, Sr.-5** or
83 Will Pericak, 6-4, 280, Fr.-RS
Nose tackle
98 Eugene Goree, 6-1, 300, Soph.*
94 Nate Bonsu, 6-1, 295, Fr.
69Â Eric Lawson, 6-3, 270, Jr.*
Right defensive end
96 Lagrone Shields, 6-3, 275, Soph.*
92 Forrest West, 6-1, 245, Fr.
Hawk's take: "Nate (Bonsu) is going to see a lot of snaps, as is Forrest (West). Romeo (Bandison, D-line coach) is kind of rolling a lot of guys through there, which is good. I've said before, in the D-line, you need about eight guys - like in hockey, you just jump the board and keep rolling out there.
"Lagrone (Sheilds) has been a little more consistent than Conrad (Obi) at defensive end. I think as Forrest continues to go, he's going to continue to get better.
"(Curtis) Cunningham, (Eugene) Goree, (Will) Pericak and 'Qwezzy' (Marquez Herrod) are all real solid. They really are. They're put on the hard hat, go to work, know what's going on and get it done type of guys.
"I think the combination of everybody can surprise some people. And I think the way Romeo is using them, yeah."
Linebackers
Mike (inside)
54 Marcus Burton, 6-0, 265, Sr.-5***
10 Michael Sipili, 6-1, 240, Jr.* and
52 Bryan Stengel, 6-2, 220, Sr.-5*
Will (inside)
45 Jeff Smart, 6-0, 225, Sr.-5***
47 Shaun Mohler, 6-3, 225, Sr.*
31 Jon Major, 6-1, 220, Fr.-RS
55 Josh Hartigan, 6-1, 230, Soph.*
Sam (outside)
59Â B.J. Beatty, 6-2, 220, Jr.*
51 Douglas Rippy, 6-1, 240, Fr.-RS
58 Tyler Ahles, 6-2, 240, Soph.*
43 Brandon Gouin, 6-1, 220, Soph.
Hawk's take: "That whole group is coming around; I like those guys a lot. There's a decent amount of guys who are seeing some action there. You'll see B.J. (Beatty) and Doug (Rippy) . . . Marcus (Burton), (Mike) Sipili and Tyler (Ahles) will all see decent action.
 "And as Jon's (Major) knee continues to get better, he'll play. I think Shaun (Mohler) and (Bryan) Stengle, too."
Secondary
Left cornerback
29 Cha'pelle Brown, 5-7, 175, Sr.***
23 Jalil Brown, 6-1, 205, Jr.**
22 Arthur Jaffee, 5-11, 205, Soph.
Free safety
46 Anthony Perkins, 5-10, 195, Soph.*
19 Travis Sandersfeld, 6-0, 205, Soph.*
Strong safety
12 Patrick Mahnke, 6-1, 205, Soph.*
26 Ray Polk, 6-1, 210, Fr.-RS
Right cornerback
3 Jimmy Smith, 6-2, 205, Jr.**
42 Benjamin Burney, 5-11, 195, Sr.-5***
16 Anthony Wright, 6-0, 190, Soph.*
Hawk's take: "I think Deji (Olatoye) is a really good player, but fortunately, I think we're going to be able to redshirt him. There's a decent amount of guys back there, between Ben (Burney), Jimmy (Smith), Cha'pelle (Brown) and Jalil (Brown).
"Then that back end, Ray Polk continues to get a lot better and Arthur (Jaffe) is going to have something to say down the road. Both of our safeties have had pretty solid camps."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter
14 Matt DiLallo, 6-1, 205, Sr.-5*** (l)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
2 Darrell Scott, 6-1, 225, Soph.*
15 Zach Grossnickle, 6-2, 180, Fr.*
Placekicker
13 Aric Goodman, 5-10, 190, Jr.* (KO #1)
22 Ryan Aweida, 5-11, 175, Jr.
38 Jameson Davis, 5-10, 195, Soph.*
Kickoff return
8 Demetrius Sumler, 5-10, 215, Jr. **Â
2 Darrell Scott, 6-1, 225, Soph.*
20 Brian Lockridge, 5-7, 180, Soph.*
15 Jason Espinoza, 5-8, 175, Soph.*
Punt return
15 Jason Espinoza, 5-8, 175, Soph.*
21 Scotty McKnight, 5-11, 185, Jr.**
5 Rodney Stewart, 5-6, 175, Soph.*
Holder (pinner)
21 Scotty McKnight, 5-11, 185, Jr.**
 7 Cody Hawkins, 5-11, 190, Jr.**
Short snapper
70Â Justin Drescher, 6-1, 230, Sr.***
65 Austin Bisnow, 6-0, 210, Jr
68 Joe Silipo, 6-2, 265, Jr
Long snapper
70 Justin Drescher, 6-1, 230, Sr.***
65 Austin Bisnow, 6-0, 210, Jr.
Hawk's take: "You know, it's kind of funny. (Aric) Goodman has maybe not had the same percentage as last year (in camp). No. 1, he's kicked way more field goals in camp than last year, but I think the guy was perfect in camp last year.
"But on the other side of it, I do think he's been able to come out of it. Like the scrimmage (Saturday), he missed one, then come back. Nobody's going to be perfect; he's sort of got this cloud over him that he's got to hit every one. I'm going, 'You don't have to hit to every one.'
"The goal is 85 (percent) and 100 percent in the red zone. And Aric is kicking the ball off good too; he's a lot stronger.
"I think Matt (DiLallo) is a lot more comfortable than he was. And we'll use Darrell (Scott) back there a few times, too."
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
