11 'Under The Radar' Buffs Who Could Be Big Playmakers

BOULDER — With a lineup dominated by upperclassmen and a school-record number of starts (412) represented on the roster, picking the players who will likely be impact performers this year for the Colorado Buffaloes isn't difficult.

Chidobe Awuzie, Tedric Thompson, Josh Tupou, Kenneth Olugbode, Sefo Liufau, Jeromy Irwin, Shay Fields, Phillip Lindsay — and that's just a short list. All have plenty of starting experience, all are proven playmakers and all have had solid if not outstanding fall camps.

But along with the obvious, there are other Buffs who might be flying just a bit below the radar in terms of recognition — but could be poised for big seasons.

In no particular order, here are 11 of those players to watch as we inch ever closer to next Friday's season opener vs. Colorado State:

WR BRYCE BOBO: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior is another player who made a huge leap from a year ago. Always a receiver with the potential for big plays, he had by far his most consistent camp since arriving with Mike MacIntyre's first recruiting class. He started camp strong and continued to improve — and with the injury to transfer Juwann Winfree, Bobo now has the opportunity to be one of Sefo Liufau's favorite targets. The best sign from camp? His ability to make plays in the end zone, something he displayed regularly in August.

CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON: A starter last year, the senior DB has nevertheless made a quantum leap in camp. He's breaking on the ball and knocking down passes with regularity, he's had a number of interceptions, and his play-to-play coverage skills have taken a big step forward. The ability for big plays was on display a year ago; now he's added consistency to the mix. Coaches have been pleased with his progress and it won't be a surprise if he significantly increases his interception total of a year ago (two).

OT SAM KRONSHAGE: The Buffs junior started six games last season (three on the right side and three on the left), and performed well. But this year, Kronshage's size and strength have caught up with his footwork. A solid technician, he's now close to 300 pounds and has a spring and summer in the weight room behind him. He's been pushed throughout camp by Aaron Haigler and Shane Callahan, but his day-to-day consistency has been the most impressive of the three. You might not normally associate an offensive tackle with a playmaker, but if Kronshage and his cohorts have a big year, the big plays will come.

RB DONOVAN LEE: The Buffs junior will likely be listed second on the depth chart behind Phillip Lindsay, and that's no surprise. Lindsay had his expected solid, consistent camp and the Buffs will be expecting regular production from their team captain. But Lee, a converted wide receiver, showed a knack for running between the tackles, particularly in short-yardage situations. He's also (obviously) a talented receiver out of the backfield, and the Buffs will no doubt use him in a variety of formations to take advantage of that ability. Lee has good quickness and acceleration and is dangerous in space — just the type of versatility that can be a headache for opposing defensive coordinators.

CB ISAIAH OLIVER: Yes, two cornerbacks on this list. But with Chidobe Awuzie getting most of the preseason attention, people outside the immediate CU circle likely won't be aware that along with Awuzie, the Buffs have two other standout corners in Oliver and Witherspoon. Oliver, who started three games last year, is a tremendous athlete with quick hops and excellent closing speed. He virtually matched Witherspoon in camp in the big-play category, and while he and Witherspoon are listed as co-No. 1s at one corner spot, the reality is they will likely spend much of their time on the field together when the Buffs are in a nickel package.

WRs DEVIN ROSS, JAY MACINTYRE: OK, we'll throw two more wideoust on the list. Ross is another junior who has shown flashes in the past, and now has a spring and fall camp under his belt in which he showed previously unseen consistency. The compact (5-foot-9, 185-pounds) Ross has been solid from the slot throughout camp, making catch after catch across the middle in traffic while also showing the ability to tack on yards after catch. MacIntyre has also been solid in the slot in camp, running precise routes, showing excellent hands and proving to be a dependable safety outlet for Liufau. Both are reasons that despite a key injury and the loss of Nelson Spruce, this receiving corps should be the best in terms of depth the Buffs have seen in several years.

LB RICK GAMBOA: It might not be fair to list last year's leading tackler as "under the radar," but the CU sophomore is still somewhat playing in the shadow of fellow inside 'backers Kenneth Olugbode and Addison Gillam. Thrown into the fire as a redshirt freshman starter a year ago when Gillam suffered a season-ending knee injury, Gamboa improved steadily as the year progressed. Now, after a spring and fall camp with plenty of reps, he's become a much more savvy player and is far more comfortable in Jim Leavitt's defense. He's had an excellent camp and has come a long way in improving his "angles" in open space. He'll get plenty of playing time and will be a major contributor again.

DEs SAMSON KAFOVALU AND JORDAN CARRELL: We'll group these two together because they'll both be big factors in an improved defensive line. Carrell, a 12-game starter last season, had a solid season in 2015, finishing with 52 tackles, one sack, seven tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. This year, he's now tipping the scales at close to 300 pounds and has significantly increased his lower-body strength. He's said he thinks he can increase his sack total to six or seven this year — and if that happens, it will be a huge boost to the defense.

Kafovalu, meanwhile, came on strong at the end of last season and finished with 33 tackles and three sacks. He also added some strength and size in the offseason, and when he played alongside Josh Tupou and Carrell in camp, it was an imposing front line. He's been consistent throughout camp, and it won't be a surprise if he takes a big step over last year.

DB/WR TONY JULMISSE: The only true freshman on the list here, Julmisse has to be included simply because he's such an intriguing prospect. He's played both offense and defense for most of camp, and has made plays consistently on both sides of the ball. It won't be a surprise if the Buffs use him both ways in games — and given what he's shown so far, it won't be a surprise if he makes a few plays on both sides.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu