Coleman, Falo Having Strong Springs For Buffs

BOULDER — As the Colorado Buffaloes coaching staff continues to search for the right combinations on the defensive line and at linebacker, two Buffs may have found a home.

Up front, junior Tim Coleman has made the move from outside linebacker and is having an outstanding spring on the interior.

Meanwhile, sophomore N.J. Falo has also had a solid spring at outside linebacker, making the move there after spending much of last year playing inside 'backer.

Both are hoping the moves are permanent.

“I love it,” Coleman said. “It's a place I can just play and react and get after the ball. It's an instinctual thing and it just gives me the chance to play and not have to think so much about so many different things.”

Coleman actually played more offense than defense in high school. As a senior at Mullen HS in Denver, he played just two games at defensive end as a senior before a knee injury (torn ACL and MCL) ended his season. The year prior, he was a standout offensive tackle for the Mustangs.

He signed as a defensive player at CU, but saw his true freshman season cut short by an Achilles tendon tear in September. In 2014, he played 150 snaps in 11 games at defensive end/outside linebacker and recorded nine tackles and a pair of quarterback sacks.

But what the Buffs hoped would be a breakout sophomore season last year turned into another injury-riddled season. A bad hamstring limited him to appearances in just seven games and 75 snaps at outside linebacker, and he finished with just seven tackles.

This spring, however, he's healthy — and has pushed his weight up to 260 pounds, up from 245 last fall. That convinced coaches to give him a try on the interior line at defensive end, and he's been one of the most pleasant surprises of camp.

“He's had a good camp — he's challenging to start,” defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt said. “Samson (Kafovalu) is usually our starter there, but Tim's going to play a lot of football. We've seen that this spring. He's doing some really good things and we're really happy with him.”

Coleman has also caught the eye of head coach Mike MacIntyre at a position where the Buffs have been playing a number of players in hopes of not only finding starters, but establishing some critical depth.

“He's had a really good spring,” MacIntyre said. “He really wreaks havoc in there in when it's a passing situation because he's so quick on a guard. Now that he's staying healthy, I've been very impressed with him this spring.”

Both MacIntyre and Leavitt said they would like to see Coleman add another 10 to 15 pounds to his frame. But one benefit of his relatively light weight up front is that he can use his quickness to get past bigger but slower offensive linemen.

“I'm definitely learning to utilize my quickness,” Coleman said. “I love getting to the quarterback. I'm going to keep working at it and it's going to be my home. I'm looking forward to the fall already.”

Falo started camp last fall on the outside, but moved inside when injuries depleted the Buffs' depth there. He also appeared in seven games, and finished with 17 tackles in 116 snaps, including one tackle for a loss.

This spring, he's back on the outside and has shown a propensity for getting to the quarterback. He now weighs in the neighborhood of 230 pounds and has excellent speed off the edge.

“It's where I feel comfortable,” Falo said. “When I first started playing football as a freshman in high school, I played outside linebacker. It's what I know and it come more natural to me because it's what I first learned.”

Leavitt said the move of Falo back to the outside came for two reasons.

One, the Buffs should have more depth inside this year with the expected return of Addison Gillam, plus the addition of junior college signee Drew Lewis. Gillam, Lewis and returning starter Kenneth Olugbode will give the Buffs a solid group inside.

But the Buffs also want Falo on the outside, where he can utilize his speed in getting to the quarterback as well as in pass coverage on occasion.

“I really like N.J.,” Leavitt said. “He's improving. For him to start, he's got to get better. But he's working at it and I'm happy with his progress. He's getting there.”

Falo has played the run reasonably well in spring ball thus far and has excelled in pass rush situations.

“N.J. has made a big step in the last two practices,” MacIntyre said last week. “He's making sacks, making plays. The saying I stole from Coach (Bill) Parcells: knowledge equals confidence equals playing fast. I think his knowledge is comfortable, and now he's playing fast because he's a great athlete.”

Falo knows he has work to do — and he loves the fact that he's at a spot where he can now chase down the quarterback.

“I know I have to keep improving, but I really feel like I can dominate on the outside,” Falo said. “It allows me the chance to pass rush, and getting to the quarterback is like dinner for me. It's the way I eat.”

FINAL WEEK: The Buffs have five practices remaining this spring: three this week, Saturday's spring game and the April 11 finale.

Saturday's spring game activities are scheduled to begin at noon, followed by Ralphie running at 1 p.m. and a full-contact scrimmage. After the scrimmage, a “selfie-session” will be hosted on the field with players, and Buffs fans will also have the opportunity to take part in self-guided tours of the Champions Center and the Indoor Practice Facility.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu