Buffs Spring Review: Defense Improved Depth Across The Board
March 24, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — As the 2017 season wore on last year, one of Colorado's bigger areas of concern on defense was a lack of depth.
The Buffs simply didn't have as many "Pac-12 ready" players as they would have liked, particularly down the stretch, when injuries and the simple wear-and-tear of the season began to exact their toll.
This spring, Colorado coaches believe they took a significant step in addressing that need at virtually every position group, improving depth across the board.
CU wrapped up its spring practice session on Friday, which means the Buffs now have the next four months to spend in strength and conditioning sessions, player-led voluntary practice sessions and video study. Coaches, meanwhile, will look at video, evaluate players and schemes, and begin the process of getting their fall camp plans in order.
Earlier this weekend, we took a look at what the spring drills revealed for the CU offense.
Today, a breakdown of the defense:
DEFENSIVE LINE: While the Buffs do have a pair of returning starters here in nose tackle Javier Edwards and defensive Chris Mulumba, they also developed some depth that should be a huge help next fall.
A slimmer, more active Edwards had a solid spring by all accounts. His stamina is much better and he appears to be a little stronger and more powerful, despite losing about 50 pounds. Mulumba, meanwhile, was chosen the most-improved defensive lineman at the spring awards breakfast. The native of Finland is becoming more familiar with the game and more comfortable with CU's scheme, and both he and Edwards should be more effective next fall.
But the Buffs also had several other players take some big steps in the spring. Redshirt freshman Terrance Lang, who has added weight and strength, showed an ability to get to the passer, play the run and simply make plays.
"Terrance Lang made jumps on some days, not as big a jump on other days — but he flashed," was head coach Mike MacIntyre's description. "Carrying the extra weight, he's flashed."
Also having a nice spring was junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson, who finished the session atop the depth chart at defensive end. Johnson is a powerfully-built (6-foot-2, 285 pounds) sophomore who can play outside in the 3-4 and inside when CU goes to a nickel defense. Senior Jase Franke also made some strides at defensive end, while true freshman Jalen Sami and junior Lyle Tuiloma also improved at nose tackle.
Overall, it was a good spring for the D-line under new position coach Kwahn Drake, who brought a big dose of enthusiasm and passion to the entire defense. If the defensive line can have a good offseason in the weight room and bring that passion to fall camp, it should be a much-improved group.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS: Position coach Ross Els described last year's situation quite succinctly after the Buffs' final spring workout:
"Last fall we played two guys the majority of the time, which was way too many snaps," Els said. "But we didn't feel like the other guys were quite ready to step on the field."
Indeed, CU's two leaders in defensive snaps last year (and also tackles) were Rick Gamboa (847 defensive snaps) and Drew Lewis (821). For Gamboa, it was an increase of nearly 350 snaps from the previous year; for Lewis, who made the jump from reserve to starter, it was an increase of 775 snaps.
"If you're playing 13, 14, 15 games, that really wears on you, and it did," Els said. "It wore on us. We had to replace Drew late in the year with Nate (Landman) because his body was just beat up and he couldn't hit it in there like he needed to."
Gamboa and Lewis are still atop the depth chart — but it will be a surprise if either plays even close to the number of snaps they did last season. Landman, who played well in relief of Lewis last year, had an outstanding spring, as did sophomore Akil Jones, who was hampered by an injury last season.
"(Now) we have four guys who can step on the field and play," Els said. "Akil Jones and Nate Landman can play. That's going to take a lot of pressure off Drew Lewis and Rick Gamboa, which is huge, not only for injury situations, but keep them fresh throughout the year."
Landman, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore who won the "outstanding toughness" award for the spring, displayed a knack for putting himself in position to make plays on a regular basis. That aggressiveness, Els said, can sometimes put Landman out of position, "But as the old say is, it's a lot easier to say whoa than giddy-up. … He's definitely the guy in the linebacking corps that you know can hit things right away."
Jones also had a productive spring, displaying a consistency that has not always been present, leading to him being chosen the most improved LB of the spring.
"I'd love to be able to play four guys and right now we feel we can do that," Els said. "I do like where we are with those four but we have a long way to go to be ready for Pac-12."
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS: While the Buffs' 3-4 scheme technically lists a pair of outside linebackers, the reality is CU oftentimes has just one OLB on the field, with the Buff back — a hybrid safety/linebacker — taking the other spot.
The Buffs did improve their depth at OLB, but the question is still who can produce a consistent pass rush off the edge while also being able to play the run and drop into coverage when necessary.
A host of players showed potential during the spring. Junior Nu'umoto Falo, back after a year away from the program, had his moments, as did sophomore Jacob Callier. Both finished the spring atop the depth chart.
But two other youngsters — sophomore Dante Sparaco and redshirt freshman Carson Wells — also provided some bright spots, giving OLB coach and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot some depth at the position. Sparaco showed a burst in getting to the passer while Wells came up with some big turnovers.
Eliot, who said he was pleased with the development of the overall defense — in particular the "playmakers" — no doubt liked the development of junior college transfer Davion Taylor, who quickly worked his way to the top of the depth chart at Buff back. Taylor has the ability to get to the passer, drop into coverage, and play the run — and will only get better as he improves his knowledge of the defense
Overall, it is a group that made steady improvement. When they put the pads back on for the fall, pass rush will no doubt be a continued area of priority.
CORNERBACKS: It sounds counter-intuitive, but a team that is losing a cornerback projected to be taken in the first couple rounds of the NFL Draft could actually be deeper at the spot next fall.
The Buffs won't "replace" Isaiah Oliver, a pure cover corner they knew could handle the other team's best receiver. But they could overall xbe better at the position, as they will now have experience and depth on both sides of the field.
"The good thing is I think we have four, five corners that we can put out there and win with in the Pac-12," said defensive passing game coordinator Shadon Brown. "Last year I don't know if we had that."
The Buffs do have a pair of returning corners with starting experience in Trey Udoffia and Dante Wigley. Both had good springs, with Udoffia making some excellent progress and emerging atop the most-recent depth chart.
Also having an outstanding spring were redshirt freshman Chris Miller and junior college transfer Delrick Abrams. Miller — already drawing comparisons to former Buffs standout Chidobe Awuzie — emerged as one of the No. 1 corners on the depth chart. Abrams, who showed a knack for big plays down the stretch and the ability to go up and get the ball, was listed at No. 2.
Also getting some time at corner is sophomore Ronnie Blackmon, although Blackmon is more suited for nickel and will likely see most of his time there.
"There's great growth, there's competition between all those guys," Brown said.
Fall camp will no doubt be crucial for this bunch. Udoffia, Miller and Abrams have all shown the ability to play solid press coverage, something the Buffs require from their corners. It's another group that could be a strength for CU if they can match their spring progress with some equally big steps in August.
SAFETY: The Buffs have a pair of solid veterans on the back end in Evan Worthington and Nick Fisher. Worthington is a projected next-level player while Fisher, who has played in the shadow of veterans throughout his career, is in position to have a breakout senior season.
But the Buffs also developed some depth here in the spring, a place where it was a concern heading in.
Two players who had very good springs here were redshirt freshman Isaiah Lewis and senior Kyle Trego.
Trego, who has played only a handful of snaps in his career, had a chance to play with the No. 1 unit when Worthington was injured, and made the most of the opportunity. He showed a much better understanding of the defense and came up with some big plays throughout the spring.
Lewis, meanwhile, also showed some playmaking ability. "Isaiah has probably made the biggest strides in knowledge and knowing what to do," Brown said. "He's doing a better job of that and he's starting to feel a lot more comfortable."
When fall camp begins, the Buffs will also get freshman Ray Robinson and Aaron Maddox back on the field. Both were enrolled this spring but couldn't practice because of injuries.
"We're trying to mix and match a little bit to find the best 11 guys we can find," Brown said.
If Worthington and Fisher can stay healthy next fall, safety will be a position of strength for the Buffs. Both are experienced, quality playmakers. But spring also showed there is some help on the way in the depth department as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS: When spring began, Alex Kinney was the No. 1 punter and James Stefanou was the top field goal kicker.
Spring did nothing to change that, with both showing consistency and improved leg strength.
Also showing improvement was kicker Davis Price, who displayed good accuracy throughout the spring as well as improved leg strength, while long snapper J.T. Bale has improved his velocity and accuracy.
One change this year will be Kinney acting as the holder for Stefanou on field goals, a combination that looked good throughout the spring.
As for returners, the Buffs tried a number of players on kicks and punts, but those are spots that likely won't be decided until late in fall camp.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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