2016 In Review: Wide Receivers Produced Record-Setting Year

As the No. 10 Colorado Buffaloes continue preparations for their Dec. 29 Valero Alamo Bowl meeting with No. 12 Oklahoma State, we take a position-by-position look at the team that produced one of the most dramatic turnaround seasons in college football history.

Today, we look at the wide receivers:

WHAT WE KNEW IN AUGUST: With the return of junior Shay Fields, who had 92 catches for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two seasons, the Buffs knew they had a consistent deep ball threat.

But what they didn't know was who would make up for the departure of Nelson Spruce, the all-time CU leader in receptions whose senior season produced 89 catches for 1,053 yards and eight touchdowns.

There were plenty of candidates, beginning with juniors Bryce Bobo and Devin Ross, both of whom had shown flashes of potential in their first two years. Others who figured into the mix included transfers Juwann Winfree and Kabion Ento, sophomore Jay MacIntyre and true freshmen Anthony Julmisse and Johnny Huntley III.

The Buffs got some bad news early in mid-August when Winfree, who had been having an outstanding camp, went down with a season-ending knee injury. But both Bobo and Ross made big strides throughout camp, showing a measure of consistency that had evaded them in past seasons. Bobo, plagued by injuries in past years, emerged from camp healthy while Ross showed a knack for getting open from the slot. Ento also showed a big-play potential and MacIntyre displayed steady consistency, particularly on third-down plays.

By the time camp ended, new receivers coach and offensive co-coordinator Darrin Chiaverini was quietly optimistic that his receivers would be ready to provide consistent production.

WHAT WE SAW THIS SEASON: If there was any question as to whether the Buffs could make up for Spruce's absence, it was answered in the opening 44-7 win over Colorado State. Ross nabbed a career-high eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown, Bobo hauled in five catches for 99 yards — including a spectacular one-handed grab that earned him a spot on ESPN's SportsCenter — while Fields had three catches and MacIntyre added two.

It was by no means a one-time show. By season's end, all four of CU's leading receivers — Ross, Fields, Bobo and MacIntyre — led the Buffs in catches and/or yards in at least one game, and the final numbers were outstanding: five players with at least 30 catches, a first in CU history (running back Phillip Lindsay also made the group); and for only the second time in Buffs annals, four different players produced 100-yard receiving games.

The big plays came early and often. CU finished with 36 completions of 20 yards or longer and 14 of 40 yards or more, and five different receivers — Fields, Ross, Bobo, MacIntyre and Ento — had at least one touchdown catch of 30 yards or longer.

The big plays also came at crucial times. Bobo had another SportsCenter one-handed grab at Oregon in the fourth quarter that provided the winning touchdown. Ross had a fingertip grab for a score in the same game while Fields had three touchdown catches in the win over Oregon State and two in the win over Arizona.

By season's end, Ross finished as the team leader in receptions with 66; Fields was the team leader in receiving yards (845) and touchdowns (9); and Bobo had the only double-digit catch game by a receiver (10 vs. USC).

It was, quite simply, one of the best overall seasons by a group of CU receivers in program history.

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN 2017: In short, the Buffs are expecting more of the same next season — and then some.

For starters, virtually every CU receiver returns next fall. Of the 267 receptions produced by the Buffs this season, only three were passes caught by players who won't be returning (including a reception by quarterback Sefo Liufau).

Also expected to return after sitting out the year with the knee injury is Winfree, while Huntley should be a factor after spending his freshman year learning the system. Throw in a host of talented freshmen expected to be part of the next recruiting class, and one of the more entertaining competitions of training camp will no doubt occur at wide receiver.

There is also another piece to the equation. Next year will be the second under co-coordinators Chiaverini and Lindgren. While the coaches installed as much as possible last spring and in fall camp, the expectation is there will be much more fine tuning next spring as the Buffs tweak the offense for quarterback Steven Montez.

It's why CU's coordinators are excited.

Late in October, Chiaverini said he thought the Buffs were just "scratching the surface" of their offensive potential.

If that is the case, it will be interesting indeed next fall when the Buffs reach a little deeper into that potential.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu