Brooks: Apsay's Exit Could Help Accelerate Montez's Move Up

BOULDER – What eventually might have been an overstocked quarterback position at the University of Colorado will be down one as the Buffaloes begin spring practice on Wednesday morning.

And that's expected to benefit a player who could be CU's QB of the future – just maybe not the near future.

Coach Mike MacIntyre announced Tuesday that sophomore-to-be Cade Apsay has been dismissed from the team for violating team policies. Also dismissed for the same reason was junior-to-be Evan White.

Apsay, of Canyon Country, Calif., played in five games last season, including two starts. He completed 59-of-92 passes for 582 yards (3 touchdowns, 5 interceptions) and was expected to compete in spring drills with returnees Jordan Gehrke, Steven Montez, Jaleel Awini and walk-on T.J. Patterson.

Incumbent starter and multi-record setter Sefo Liufau is out for the spring while he rehabilitates a foot injury that required surgery late last season. He could return to compete in August camp.

Preseason camp also will see the addition of touted transfer Davis Webb (Texas Tech) and 2016 signee Sam Noyer, of Beaverton, Ore. Webb, said MacIntyre on signing day, has the potential to step in as the starter.

As for a possible shortage of arms during spring drills, MacIntyre said there won't be one: “We'll have enough arms out there to go with it. The one good thing is that it gives Steven Montez, who hasn't had as many reps as Jordan and Jaleel at quarterback, he'll get a lot more reps this spring. He has a bright future . . . he just needs to get some more reps.”

Montez at a glance, according to MacIntyre: “He's big, athletic and can throw it . . . I hope he moves up the ladder and can be ready to play; we'll find out as spring goes. Hopefully he makes a big jump within the offense.”

The offense that Montez, et al will be operating in for 15 spring practices has been tweaked. MacIntyre hired Darrin Chiaverini from Texas Tech as his co-offensive coordinator, and “Chev” brought some Red Raiders wrinkles to Boulder.

MacIntyre said past terminology hasn't been scrapped and Montez and the QBs won't find “a radical, radical change from what we've done. It's very similar in the mechanics with things we've done out of the 'gun' and all that type of stuff.”

The key for the 6-5, 230-pound Montez, said MacIntyre, is “just getting him repetitions of doing and seeing it and playing in it live . . . he got a little of it as scout teamer in the fall, but this will put him under more scrutiny and pressure out there.”

But MacIntyre, Lindgren and Chiaverini won't get a look at the top two QBs on the roster – Liufau and Webb – until August. Not a problem, MacIntyre contended: “I've had spring work before without two of the top quarterbacks, but you'd like to have them out there – no doubt about that. But I think at the same time it enables you to get those other guys quite a few reps.”

He said Liufau and Webb are well-versed in their understanding of the game and the speed of the game. “They'll be fine,” MacIntyre said.

Webb, who threw for 5,557 yards and 46 touchdowns (22 interceptions) at Tech, will report in June, giving him most of the summer to acclimate to Boulder and the Buffs.

White, a safety from Aurora (Cherokee Trail), played in 11 games as a freshman (2014) and made three starts. He played in three games last season (no starts).

Also leaving the team of his own accord was offensive lineman Connor Center, who had moved from tight end to the O-line during fall practices. Center, a 6-7, 270-pounder, did not play football in high school (Christian Brothers Academy, Clifton Park, N.Y.) but was a standout baseball pitcher.

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU