Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Notes: Leadership In Place, WR Battles, Tough In Trenches
February 28, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Notes, quotes and observations as Mike MacIntyre's Colorado Buffaloes get ready to head into their second week of spring ball:
— One thing that's becoming apparent early is that despite the loss of one the most influential senior classes in recent years, the 2017 Buffs won't lack leadership.
For starters, three of last year's team captains — offensive lineman Jeromy Irwin, running back Phillip Lindsay and (now) defensive lineman George Frazier — all return. Those three, plus a handful of other key upperclassmen, have stepped in to take the role assumed by last year's leaders. It was evident in strength and conditioning drills heading into the spring practice sessions, and it is clearly the case now.
Virtually every position has a leader or two who is making sure the players — especially the youngsters — are aware that accountability is a key part of this team's foundation. They are leading by example, adding words of encouragement — and, when necessary, dropping some admonitions into the mix.
The result has been a very business-like attitude to this point. Worries that the Buffs might be resting on their 10-4 laurels from last year don't seem to be an issue — and if the current attitude and environment carries over into summer conditioning and fall camp, this year's team should have a good start when it comes to work ethic.
— Speaking of Frazier, it will be a surprise if the fifth-year senior isn't a key contributor on the defensive line this year.
Frazier does, after all, have some experience at the spot. He appeared in 10 games on defense as a redshirt freshman (195 snaps) and finished with 15 tackles, three quarterback hurries and a pass break-up. He also played offense that year, and by his sophomore season (2015), was concentrating on that side of the ball.
But with three starters on the D-line gone to graduation, the Buffs are in need of some depth at the spot and Frazier — naturally — stepped up and volunteered to return to his old position.
"To me, the football field is home — it doesn't matter where," Frazier said. "We knew we needed some depth there and it's fun to get out there and be physical and get my hands on people. I forward to being out there and showing my athleticism and showing I can do more than one thing."
At 260 pounds, it's hard to see Frazier as an every-down guy — but it's hard to see any of CU's linemen being every-down players. The position demands too much, and it's a place where a solid rotation is a must.
But Frazier is already showing a knack for getting to the quarterback, and he's looked good in one-on-one drills against the offensive line. He will likely have the opportunity to showcase those skills next fall.
— Speaking of the one-on-one drills, one of the more interesting matchups of the spring manifested itself earlier this week when Irwin, who is experimenting at guard this spring, matched up with nose tackle Javier Edwards.
At 350-pounds plus, Edwards is a powerful man in the middle. But Irwin, at 300 pounds himself and with plenty of experience in his pocket, made it a matchup worth watching. After a couple go-rounds, both had their moments — a good sign for both sides of the ball.
Irwin's "move" to guard is by no means permanent; rather it's part of O-line coach Klayton Adams' philosophy of getting his players reps at different spots so they are familiar in the event an injury forces some position juggling.
But while Irwin has been a tackle for most of his CU career, guard might be the spot where he finds a home at the next level. He's said he likes the position and he's looked good thus far. It is a place where he can make good use of his power in the running game and still utilize his size and length in the passing game.
— By the time next fall rolls around, it will have been four seasons since outside linebacker Sam Bennion played in an organized game. After graduating from high school in January 2014, he left to serve a two-year LDS Church mission in Chile. He returned in time for spring ball in 2016, but the combination of weight loss — he dropped about 20 pounds on his mission — and time away from the game meant he spent all of last spring and last fall simply getting his football legs back under him.
Now, the redshirt freshman is finally back up to about 235 pounds and his legs have returned.
"It's night and day," Bennion said of the difference between this spring and last spring. "I understand the plays now and my feet are a little better — they're not as stumpy. That's probably the only way I can describe the feet I had back in spring ball a year ago."
Bennion, who played inside linebacker in high school, is lining up on the outside this spring and getting some snaps with the No. 1 defense. He has good strength and speed and could be a factor at the position next fall.
"I had to learn how to drop into coverage, but it's nice to be on the edge and also play the defensive end spot," he said. "Now that I've learned to drop into coverage, I like it."
His goal now is to get to the point that everything he does on the field is instinctual again.
"I actually think my feet are better now than they were in my prime in high school," he said. "It's a lot better now. I'm still not at the point where everything I do is by instinct. Some things are, but not everything yet. But I'm getting there and it's feeling more comfortable all the time."
Bennion, by the way, will turn 22 next fall, making him the same age as some of CU's seniors.
— Expected to be one of the more competitive position battles before spring ball, wide receiver hasn't disappointed. Virtually every player at the position has had a bright moment or two thus far.
"They're a lot farther ahead this spring than they were last spring," said offensive co-coordinator and wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini. "They understand what the expectations are from me. I don't have to get on them as much as I did last year. I see them taking accountability for their actions out there."
One player Chiaverini has been particularly pleased with is senior Shay Fields, who is coming off a 52-catch season in which he led the Buffs in receiving yards (845) and touchdowns (9). Fields put in some good work in the weight room in January and early February, and it shows.
"Shay's 10 times ahead of where he was last spring," Chiaverini said. "He realized that he has to work to be elite. He has elite talent, but if you want to perform at an elite level, you have to work. He's working in the weight room, he's working on the field, he's running by people."
Indeed, Fields has already hooked up with Steven Montez for several long-ball touchdowns in 11-on-11 drills, and he's also making tough catches in traffic and on sideline patterns.
But he's not the only one who's been producing.
"Jay MacIntyre is doing what he does, making plays and getting open," Chiaverini said. "Lee Walker is producing, looking good. Bryce Bobo's a guy that you know is going to make plays. He's been a little up and down but you know he's going to make plays. He's that guy. Kabion Ento, I've been very, very impressed with. He's made big strides. Johnny Huntley is 219 pounds and he's 6-foot-4 and he runs and he catches. The kid's got a bright, bright future. I'm really excited about this group."
True freshman Jaylon Jackson, an early enrollee still recovering from a knee injury, has also managed to catch Chiaverini's eye. "He's a lot farther ahead than I thought he was," Chiaverini said. "He's probably about 75 percent; when he gets to 100 percent, he's going to be very dynamic and explosive."
Of course, the competition will only get tougher next summer when the rest of the members of CU's recruiting class show up. That group includes standouts K.D. Nixon, Laviska Shenault Jr. and Maurice Bell; and junior Juwann Winfree, who was having an outstanding camp last fall before a season-ending knee injury, should also be 100 percent.
"The future is bright, the present is bright," Chiaverini said. "It's pretty exciting when you think about where this offense could go."
BUFFS BITS: With mainstay Addison Gillam taking a "sabbatical" this spring, it's opened the doors for several other players in the battle for a position alongside junior Rick Gamboa at inside linebacker. So far, juniors Drew Lewis and N.J. Falo have looked good at the spot. … Two other youngsters who are making some waves at linebacker are redshirt freshmen Pookie Maka and Akil Jones. … Timothy Coleman has shown some good pass rush work from the defensive end spot. … A healthy Michael Adkins is showing some flashes at running back. … Sophomore Anthony Julmisse is having a good spring at cornerback, a spot where the Buffs need to replace a pair of starters (although Isaiah Oliver is almost certain to nail down one of those spots). … Safeties Ryan Moeller and Afolabi Laguda have picked up where they left off last fall and will no doubt be mainstays, and Evan White and Nick Fisher are also making plays in the secondary.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice again Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week, with a scrimmage tentatively scheduled for Saturday. Also this week, CU will host its annual coaches clinic on Friday.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Players Mentioned
