Storylines Abound As Buffs Prepare To Open Spring Ball

BOULDER — Wednesday morning, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre will open his fourth session of spring ball with the Buffaloes.

Here are some storylines to watch as the spring unfolds:

NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES: A year ago, MacIntyre brought in a new defensive coordinator, Jim Leavitt, and a new safeties coach, Joe Tumpkin. The Buffs proceeded to take significant steps forward on that side of the ball, moving from 116th in the nation in scoring defense to 70th, while also doubling the number of defensive takeaways.

This year, the big changes are on the offensive side of the ball. Former Texas Tech special teams coordinator and receivers coach (and former Buffs wide receiver) Darrin Chiaverini joins the staff as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator with Brian Lindgren. Darian Hagan is the new running backs coach, while former running backs coach Klayton Adams moves to the offensive line and Gary Bernardi takes over tight ends and fullbacks.

They'll spend the spring installing the offense and evaluating personnel. It won't be a complete rewrite of the CU playbook, but it will involve some significant change, as well as some scaling down. The idea will be to play faster, spread the field and get CU's offensive players in space. It won't all get installed in the spring, but it will be a good start heading into summer and fall.

“It's about installing the offense, evaluating the offensive line and the receivers and seeing what we have,” Chiaverini said.

REPLACING SENIORS: The Buffs didn't lose a plethora of players to graduation, but they did lose some key contributors, including three who were showing their stuff last week at the NFL Combine. That means replacing the production of wide receiver Nelson Spruce (89 catches, 1,053 yards), cornerback Ken Crawley (46 tackles, one interception and 11 third-down stops), offensive tackle Stephane Nembot (13 starts and team-leading 966 plays) and defensive lineman Justin Solis (53 tackles, three sacks).

There are a number of possibilities at each of those spots, and it will be interesting to see who emerges from spring ball with at least a head start on the starting spots heading into the fall.

MISSING NAMES: A number of players who are expected to be significant contributors next fall won't be here in the spring.

Two of the most prominent missing names will be at the most prominent position: quarterbacks Sefo Liufau and Davis Webb. Liufau, a three-year starter, is still recovering from a foot injury; Webb, a highly touted transfer, is finishing up school at Texas Tech and won't be in Boulder until the summer. Others sidelined by injury include linebacker Addison Gillam and tackle Jeromy Irwin, both of whom began last fall as starters; as well as LB Terran Hasselbach, DL Blake Robbins, DL Tyler Henington and LB Travis Talianko.

Also not available for spring ball will be the recent recruiting class, which includes a pair of junior college signees — LB Drew Lewis and WR Juwann Winfree — who could step into significant roles right away next fall. And, there are a handful of true freshmen who could be contributors in the fall who won't be here in the spring.

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT: A year ago, Leavitt arrived in town literally a day before spring ball started, meaning he was teaching a new system to coaches as well as players.

This year, everybody knows what Leavitt wants, meaning he and his defensive assistants can use the time to carefully evaluate personnel.

Up front, they'll be looking to improve the pass rush, particularly on the outside. The Buffs had 28 sacks last year, a number Leavitt would like to increase without having to gamble too often with blitzes. They'll also be looking to improve their run defense — CU was 11th in rush defense in Pac-12 games last year, giving up more than 220 yards per game.

In the secondary, they'll be figuring out how to replace Crawley. The logical choice is Chidobe Awuzie — a second-team all-Pac-12 performer last year. Awuzie, though, was invaluable as a nickel back, and it could mean a chance for youngsters Isaiah Oliver and Nick Fisher to step up.

“It's totally different this year because our guys know the system,” Leavitt said. “We feel like we're going to be able to do a lot more this spring than we've done before. We have guys that are very knowledgeable and they know what we expect, so our expectations are much higher than they were a year ago.”

OFFENSIVE CHANGES: Along with the revamped scheme, there will be plenty of focus on personnel here, beginning up front. Although CU lost just one starter to graduation, there could be some significant shuffling, including some possible position switches.

Injuries on the line last year opened the door for a number of players, and a host of redshirt freshmen will be anxious to get their shot as well. There will no doubt be some interesting battles, as even without Irwin available, coaches would like to have some idea heading into next fall who their top five linemen will be.

“I don't think we'll really know until we get out there and we get eight or nine practices in that we'll begin to figure out exactly what the best pieces to the puzzle are,” Adams said. “But I do know we want to figure out who are the best five people we can put out there and what spots they should be in.”

Running back will also be interesting. Hagan has a solid crop of players, and it will be interesting to see how each fits into the revamped offense. CU has had a running game by committee for the last several years, but it won't be a surprise if the Buffs narrow that committee down to one or two players by next fall.

Did we mention quarterback? Even without Liufau and Webb, there will be plenty of intrigue in the spring. Redshirt freshman Steven Montez turned heads with his big arm last fall and coaches are anxious to see how he performs with the No. 1 unit instead of the scout team.

“He's going to get a great opportunity,” Chiaverini said. “It's a chance for us to evaluate him and see his progress.”

The Buffs will practice 15 times — seven times before spring break, which begins March 21, and eight times after, with the annual spring game scheduled for April 9.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu