Colorado University Athletics
Carrell Makes Headway On Buffs' Defensive Line
August 05, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
At the end of spring practice, junior college transfer Jordan Carrell was listed as second on the Colorado Buffaloes' “pencil” depth chart at defensive tackle.
Wednesday morning, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Carrell found himself lining up with many of the Buffs' No. 1 defenders in a variety of drills, including some against the No. 1 offense.
“It's a good feeling,” Carrell said. “Obviously, it's just the first day of practice, but it's kind of like officially coming to the Pac-12. I was lining up against our crew, guys like Stephane (Nembot) and Jeromy (Irwin). That's a great way to start getting ready for the season.”
Buff head coach Mike MacIntyre was quick to note that the pencil depth chart is still just that. With 28 practices still to go before the opener at Hawai'i, plenty can change.
“Things can change in a day or two days or three,” MacIntyre said. “It's truly a pencil depth chart.”
Still, it's clear that Carrell has made strides since joining the team from American River College in California last spring.
“I'm a lot more comfortable than I was in the spring,” Carrell said. “Coach (Jim) Leavitt is really pushing us. He's got a lot of passion, a lot of energy and makes sure we're all putting in the effort.”
Carrell earned first-team All-America, ACCFCA All-American and All-California Region I honors as a sophomore, when he was named his league's Defensive Player of the Year after recording 80 tackles (including 19 for losses) and eight quarterback sacks. In his first spring with the Buffs, he had nine tackles in the Buffs' four main scrimmages.
That was enough to earn him a little national attention. In an April column on ESPN.com, he was tabbed as the No. 1 junior college transfer in the Pac-12 in terms of expected impact. He steps into an area where the Buffs have had their numbers thinned because of injuries and other issues, and there's no doubt he'll have the opportunity to prove his ability in a hurry.
His plan is simple.
“You just keep studying, keep working and keep putting out the effort,” Carrell said. “Coach Leavitt drilled that into us in the offseason. Continue to study and continue to work.”
As MacIntyre was quick to note, the first day of fall camp means little in terms of who will be lining up against Hawai'i on Sept. 3. The post-spring depth chart had Derek McCartney and Jimmie Gilbert at the ends, Justin Solis at nose tackle and Samson Kafovalu at defensive tackle.
Wednesday morning, Carrell and Jase Franke lined up alongside McCartney and Solis in some of the drills.
“First day,” Carrell said. “That's all it means right now.”
