Look Ahead: Buffs have good depth at WR

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: Wide receivers.

For the first time in seemingly forever — well, four years anyway — Nelson Spruce's name won't be included when the conversation includes CU's receiving corps. The man who left CU with more than 40 school records in his reliable hands, including most receptions for a game, season and career, most touchdown catches in a season, most receiving yards and most games started by an offensive player, has moved on to the NFL.

Those are big shoes to fill, and they almost certainly won't be filled by one person.

But the Buffs do have plenty of capable receivers who could combine to fill that gap, beginning with returning vets Shay Fields, Devin Ross and Bryce Bobo.

Fields, a junior with electric potential, should be poised to take the reins as the Buffs' featured receiver. Fields has hauled in 92 catches for 1,084 and eight touchdowns in two seasons. Last year, his catches dropped slightly (from 50 to 42), but he had more yards (598 to 486) and his 14.2-yard average per catch was the best of any CU wideout.

Fields also has proven big-play ability. He's had the Buffs' longest play from scrimmage in each of the last two seasons, and last year had three of the four longest: catches of 72, 67 and 65 yards.

Fields, though, shouldn't be the only threat. Ross, another junior with big-play potential, had an excellent spring; Bobo, also a junior, had some standout moments and continues to improve; and junior college transfer Kabion Ento made headway in a hurry.

The question, of course, is who will be on the throwing end of the passes. Senior Sefo Liufau is still recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury, but is make consistent progress. Liufau is throwing on a regular basis, going through workouts with CU's strength and conditioning coaches, and is still on schedule to hopefully return in time for the beginning of fall camp. If Liufau isn't ready, it will mean redshirt freshman Steven Montez, who is still green but had a solid spring, or veteran Jordan Gehrke.

That, though, isn't a question for which we'll have the answer anytime soon.

What we learned in spring: If one receiver stood out in the spring, the honor goes to Ross, the talented junior who has tempted CU fans with his potential for the last two seasons.

Ross finished the year with 25 catches for 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns, a season that included a nine-catch, 101-yard game against UCLA. But Ross also had some key drops, something he vowed to improve upon in the spring — and he made good on that promise.

The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Ross caught virtually everything thrown his way in the spring, which included a team-leading eight catches in the spring game. Ross emerged from the spring atop the “pencil” depth chart at the H-receiver spot and if he takes his spring performance into the fall, should have a good chance of keeping that spot.

As mentioned previously, Bobo and Ento had solid springs, as did sophomores Lee Walker and Jay MacIntyre. New receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini gave his crew an overall thumbs up after spring drills, and there's enough depth, speed and playmaking ability to make life tough on opposing secondaries.

A big part of the Buffs' spring was dedicated to picking up adjustments to the playbook and an overall increased tempo for the offense. The receivers as a group seemed to have few problems in that department, and if they can continue that progress in the fall, they'll be a big help to whoever fills the quarterback's shoes.

What's next: NCAA rules allow allow eight hours per week of weight training, conditioning and film review (2-hour limit on film) for a maximum of eight weeks. Coaches can watch the conditioning sessions and meet with the players in the film room.

Drills can't, however, be conducted with footballs, so any work the receivers get done catching passes will still have to be on a voluntary basis in “PRPs” (player-run practices).

Still, the conditioning drills will be important. CU coaches hope an increased offensive tempo will take a toll on opposing defenses — and it will be up to Buffs receivers to do their part in running opposing secondaries ragged.

The voluntary sessions, which usually include some 7-on-7 work, will be extra important, especially if Liufau is cleared earlier than anticipated to participate.

One more important piece of the puzzle: juco transfer Juwann Winfree should be on campus for the summer workouts, and how quickly he adapts will be a key.

Fall camp storylines: It's hard to talk about the receivers next fall without mentioning the quarterback. That in itself will be a huge storyline, as developing timing will be of the utmost importance.

While there are no ties atop the latest depth chart, the starting spots are by no means etched in stone. Expect a battle between Bobo and Ento at X-receiver, and wherever Winfree lines up, he'll likely push for a starting spot.

The spotlight will be on Fields, meanwhile, to develop more consistency, while Ross will be watched to see if his spring improvement continues. Also watch for MacIntyre and Lee Walker to make pushes for consistent playing time.

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:

X-receiver: Bryce Bobo, Kabion Ento, Justin Jan, David Bagby.

Z-receiver: Shay Fields, Lee Walker, Danny Galloway, Devin Dement.

H-receiver: Devin Ross, Jay MacIntyre, Xavier Cochrane, Robert Orban, Joey Hall, Sean Grundmann.

Incoming players who could figure into the mix: The Buffs signed five receivers in the February, with one of them — Ento — enrolling in time to take part in spring drills. Winfree is the most likely of the others to come in and make an immediate impact, but it's not impossible to think that one of the three true freshmen — Johnny Huntley III, Tony Julmisse or Derrion Rakestraw — could also come in and vie for some playing time.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu