Colorado University Athletics
2016 In Review: Defensive Line Gave Buffs Big Boost In Trenches
December 18, 2016 | Football, Neill Woelk
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 defensive line:
WHAT WE KNEW IN AUGUST: This was a position that held plenty of promise when the Buffs opened camp, and the biggest reason — literally and figuratively — was the return of nose tackle Josh Tupou to the program. As CU completed its transition to a true 3-4 defense, the need for a gap-clogging nose tackle was clear, and the 6-foot-3, 325-pound Tupou — a three-year starter — fit the need perfectly.
It was an area the Buffs definitely needed to improve. In 2015, the Buffs were 10th in the Pac-12 in rushing defense, giving up 198.7 yards per game on the ground. If CU's defense was going to take another step forward, the rush defense was one area that had to improve, and it was a big priority in fall camp.
Tupou, though, wasn't the only reason CU's coaching staff had high hopes for the big men in the trenches. Defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat had two other 300-pounders to work with in seniors Jordan Carrell and Samson Kafovalu.
Of the two, Carrell was the most known commodity, having played 784 snaps — the most of any defensive linemen — in 2015, when he finished with 52 tackles, a sack and three forced fumbles. But Kafovalu, who played 331 snaps in 2015, had an excellent offseason conditioning program and showed up in August bigger, stronger and faster.
The Buffs also had some depth up front. Junior Leo Jackson III, a starter for much of 2015, returned, as did junior Timothy Coleman and sophomore Jase Franke.
WHAT WE SAW THIS SEASON: It took one game for fans to see that CU's big front line was going to be a force against the run.
In the season opener, Colorado State ran for just 162 yards on 35 carries, with much of that yardage coming late in the game, long after it had been decided.
CU's dominance against the run continued through the season. By the end of Pac-12 regular season play, only two teams — Oregon and Arizona — had exceeded the 200-yard mark on the ground. After 12 games, the Buffs were 33rd in the nation in rush defense (135.9 yards per game), giving up just 3.9 yards per rushing attempt.
CU's interior linemen were also solid against the pass, not only pushing the pocket to allow pressure from the outside, but also producing their fair share of sacks.
Tupou was a force in the middle, sealing up running lanes while finishing with 43 tackles and two sacks. Kafovalu was credited with 44 tackles and 2.5 sacks while Carrell proved to be outstanding against the run and pass, finishing with 43 tackles and five sacks, second-most on the team behind linebacker Jimmie Gilbert's 10.
The Buffs also got good production from the reserves, with Jackson, Coleman and Franke all chipping in some big plays at critical moments.
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN 2017: With the big three up front — Tupou, Carrell and Kafovalu — all graduating, this is one area on defense that will take some significant rebuilding and it will no doubt be a big priority in spring ball and fall camp.
There is some experience. Jackson, Coleman and Franke all return, and all have seen playing time in key situations. The Buffs are also hoping to see some progress from youngsters Frank Umu, Brett Tonz and Lyle Tuiloma, a trio of redshirt freshmen who saw a handful of plays this season. How all of them progress in the spring and in offseason strength and conditioning workouts will be a key.
The biggest question is size — none of the experienced returnees are in the 300-pound range, an area of concern for a CU defensive staff that became accustomed to a big wall up front.
But Colorado has already picked up some help on the recruiting front. One player CU fans — and coaches — will be excited to see in camp is 6-foot-3, 330-pound junior college transfer Javier Edwards. A nose tackle with a reputation as a run stopper, Edwards could have an immediate impact up front.
Also signed out of the junior college ranks was 6-foot-4, 280-pound OLB/DE Chris Mulumba, who could fit in at either position. A gifted athlete, Mulumba could be a force in both stopping the run and rushing the passer.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
