Three New Faces Atop Latest Buff Depth Chart
August 28, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — There were no “shockers” in the latest Colorado football depth chart, released Saturday.
But the Buffs' two-deep chart for Thursday's opener at Hawaii did confirm what fall camp followers had been theorizing for several weeks: there will indeed be a handful of new faces on the field when the Buffaloes open the third season of the Mike MacIntyre era.
The biggest changes will come on the defensive side of the ball, where three transfers who have never played a down for Colorado moved up during fall camp and are now listed atop the charts.
At outside linebacker, former Air Force quarterback Jaleel Awini is listed as the starter, with returning letterman Christian Shaver listed No. 2. At right defensive end, sophomore junior college transfer Leo Jackson III is listed ahead of junior Jimmie Gilbert, who started nine games for the Buffs last season. At defensive tackle, junior Jordan Carrell — another junior college transfer — is slated to start ahead of two-year letterman Samson Kafovalu.
All three began fall camp listed as second on the Buffs' “pencil” depth chart, with Awini actually listed as a defensive end. While the three are currently listed atop the depth chart, there's little doubt that those at No. 2 will see playing time in Hawaii, especially given the expected hot and humid conditions.
There were also a few other alterations to the first depth chart of camp.
Defensively, sophomore Ryan Moeller, first listed as the No. 2 strong safety, is now No. 1 at free safety, ahead of fellow sophomore Evan White. On offense, sophomore Devin Ross is listed ahead of sophomore Donovan Lee and redshirt freshman Jay MacIntyre.
Meanwhile, there are still four positions still up in the air.
At left guard, it's Jonathan Huckins or Shane Callahan. At fullback, George Frazier and Jordan Murphy are in the top spot. And, both special teams spots are still open, with freshman Alex Kinney and Chris Graham listed at punter and Diego Gonzalez and Graham at placekicker.
Meanwhile, senior Christian Powell has emerged as the first choice at tailback, a position that CU coaches have continued to say will see a consistent rotation until someone steps up with a hot hand.
There are also a handful of true freshmen who earned a spot on the depth chart, albeit third or fourth at their positions. The list includes cornerbacks Nick Fisher and Isaiah Oliver, linebackers N.J. Falo and Grant Watanabe, and running back Patrick Carr.
It's worth noting that in a day and age when teams run multiple sets and formations on both sides of the ball, depth charts are seldom more than a starting point. In fact, the latest CU chart includes 12 offensive positions, with the actual starting lineup depending on whether the Buffs open with a fullback or three (or four) wide receivers. Last season, the Buffs opened seven games with a three-receiver set, two games with four receivers, two with two tight ends and one with a fullback.
It is also the same story on the defensive side of the ball, where the depth chart technically lists four defensive linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs. It won't be a surprise if the Buffs open a majority of their games in a nickel package — utilizing five defensive backs — meaning starting cornerback Chidobe Awuzie could slide into the nickel spot, or Awini could fill that role. There may also be situations when the Buffs start just two down defensive linemen and bring another rush end/outside linebacker into the mix.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
