Look Ahead: Depth Will Be Key Priority On Buffs' D-line

BOULDER — With the onset of organized summer workouts just around the corner and the opening of football fall camp less than 12 weeks away, we continue the process of breaking down where the Colorado Buffaloes stand on a position-by-position basis.

Next up: Defensive line.

After a year of transition, Jim Leavitt's defense has settled into a base 3-4 alignment — and some of the best news of the year thus far in that regard had nothing to do with spring workouts.

After a year away from the program, senior nose tackle Josh Tupou is enrolled and attending classes. At first glance, he has all the looks of someone who will be the perfect anchor in a 3-4 alignment, and his 6-foot-3, 325-pound presence should be a big boost for a defense that will need to take another step forward next season if the Buffs are going to significantly improve their win-loss record.

A year ago, CU's defensive improvement was undoubtedly one of the biggest bright spots of the season. Most noticeable was the statistic that counts the most: the Buffs went from 11th in the Pac-12 in scoring defense in 2014 (39 points per game) to a much more respectable sixth (27.5) in 2015.

But if CU is going to move up another level, the Buffs will need continued improvement across the board, beginning with their run defense and pass rush — and those are the areas that begin up front.

Colorado did make some minor improvements in those categories last year. The Buffs went from 11th in rushing defense in 2014 (204 yards per game, 5.8 yards per attempt) to 10th a year ago (198.7 yards per game, 5.0 per attempt). They also increased their sack totals by five, moving from 11th in the league two years ago (22) to a tie for 10th (27).

But to take the next step, the Buffs will need more than minor improvement, and it will be up to the big men in the trenches to start the process.

What we learned in spring: Colorado's spring drills provided a mixed bag — some improvement in areas and setbacks in others.

On the plus side, senior defensive end Jordan Carrell has added about 15 pounds to his frame and should be close to 300 pounds by fall camp. Carrell, who had a solid debut season as a transfer last fall, had a good spring and should be an even bigger contributor next fall. Junior defensive end Leo Jackson III, who also had a good debut season last fall as a transfer, missed much of the spring with an injury, but should also be ready to take another step forward in the fall.

One player who took big strides in the spring was junior Timothy Coleman, a former outside linebacker. Coleman is still a bit undersized for a defensive end — he's only about 250 pounds — but he showed great promise and could definitely be a factor in the fall, particularly in pass rush situations. Also enjoying a solid spring was sophomore nose tackle Jase Franke, but Franke is similar to Coleman in the weight department: at 270 pounds, Franke needs some more beef on his frame to consistently do battle in the Pac-12 trenches.

The downside to the spring was a pair of off-the-field issues that significantly reduced CU's depth up front. One of the players is no longer with the program while the status of the second, Samson Kafovalu, is still undecided. If Kafovalu returns, it will be a plus.

What's next: Organized summer conditioning, which begins at the end of the month, will be a key.

For starters, it will give Tupou a chance to begin the process of rounding back into playing shape. Meanwhile, more weightroom sessions with CU strength and conditioning boss Drew Wilson will give everyone the chance to add a few more pounds of muscle and increase their stamina before the beginning of camp.

Equally important will be classroom time and on-field drills. While the Buffs are much more comfortable this year in Leavitt's scheme, every opportunity they get to absorb the nuances is a chance for improvement. Leavitt called last summer the most important portion of the Buffs' entire offseason program; rest assured, he'll try to reap the same results in his second year with the program.

Fall camp storylines: While much of the pass rush will come from CU's outside linebackers, the Buffs also need to improve the push they're getting from the interior. How they progress in that department will be an important piece to the puzzle. Carrell, Jackson and Justin Solis (last year's nose tackle) combined for six sacks in 2015; that's a number Leavitt and defensive line coach Jim Jeffcoat would like to increase this year and it will be a priority in fall camp.

There's also no doubt folks will be watching Tupou closely. After a year away from the game, he'll have some ground to make up, but he's a player with NFL ability and expectations will be high.

As for position battles, the post-spring “pencil” depth chart didn't have any ties atop any of the positions. Coleman will push for playing time; and Franke will give the Buffs depth at the nose.

Speaking of depth, the process of developing more across the entire defensive front will be high priority in the fall. Jeffcoat and Leavitt will take one more good look at redshirt freshmen Frank Umu, Lyle Tuiloma and Brett Tonz, along with sophomore Michael Mathewes, to see if any of them might be able to provide some quality snaps in relief of starters.

Note: CU's “pencil” depth chart is the one that has been released to various magazines around the nation for their summer preview specials. It includes players who were injured and did not participate in spring but are expected to be ready for summer drills. It does not include players who have yet to practice with the team, such as incoming freshmen and transfers.

Pencil depth chart:

Defensive end: Jordan Carrell, Timothy Coleman, Frank Umu, Brett Tonz.

Nose tackle: Josh Tupou, Jase Franke, Lyle Tuiloma, Eddy Lopez.

Defensive end: Leo Jackson III, Michael Mathewes.

Incoming players who could figure into the mix: The Buffs did not sign a defensive lineman in the most recent recruiting class.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu