Colorado University Athletics
Woelk: Summer Development Key In Several Areas For Buffs
June 13, 2018 | Football
The Aug. 1 opening date looms larger each day as CU spends its summer preparing for what they hope will be a springboard to a successful season
BOULDER — Fall camp is no longer a distant spot on the horizon for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Rather, the Aug. 1 opening date looms larger each day as the Buffs spend their summer preparing for what they hope will be a springboard to a successful season.
But while fall camp is clearly crucial, what happens between now and then is also important. If the Buffs are indeed going to hit the ground running when they open camp, they will need to take advantage of their summer — meaning the next six weeks will be critical in establishing a mental and physical foundation. That means solid work in the weight room and in conditioning, as well as some consistent player-led practices.
Five areas that will be vital in that progress:
1. Development of redshirt freshmen. It's no secret the Buffs will be relatively young next fall. But a quick glance at the last depth chart from spring ball reveals no less than 10 redshirt freshmen in the two deep.
That's young.
Granted, that depth chart is going to change, and change again before the Aug. 31 season opener in Denver against Colorado State. Still, the progress those youngsters make this summer will be key to their development in fall camp.
Players who have yet to take a college snap who need good summers? Start with offensive linemen Colby Pursell, Will Sherman and Jake Moretti. Pursell is the clear leader in the battle for starter at center, Sherman should be in the mix at a couple of different spots and Moretti, who is coming back from a serious knee injury, could be a big plus if his knee is healthy.
Coaches will also be looking for running back Alex Fontenot to make some strides, while they'll be looking for the same on defense from cornerback Chris Miller (a player who some coaches say has the potential to be another Chidobe Awuzie), defensive end Terrance Lang and linebacker Carson Wells.
These are some youngsters who could have key roles next fall. What they do this summer will play a major part in that process.
2. Sophomores who need to take the next step. Along with all those redshirt freshmen are a handful of sophomores who got a taste of action last year — and will be expected to up the ante considerably next fall.
On offense, that group includes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., whose big-play potential and pure physical skills have coaches excited. Defensively, linebackers Jacob Callier and Nate Landman have shown a nose for the ball and the ability to disrupt an offense, while newcomer Mustafa Johnson (a JC transfer) flashed in spring ball.
If these players — along with several other second-year players — can make a solid jump, they will be contributors.
We'll also throw Buff back Davion Taylor and cornerback Delrick Abrams into this group. Both are junior college transfers, and while they are juniors, they are newcomers whose abilities could make them big contributors in the fall if their summers are up to snuff.
3. Continued progress from Steven Montez. It's easy to forget that the Buffs' starting quarterback is just a junior after he hit the scene with such a splash as a freshman. But there's good reason to believe that this is the year Montez settles into the role of leading the Colorado offense with authority.
Montez had a good spring under new QBs coach Kurt Roper. He is figuring out that it is his offense to lead, and he's lending his personality to the job, rather than trying to fill the shoes of his predecessor.
Montez is learning that he doesn't need to be someone else. He just needs to be himself — which is a physically gifted player with game-changing ability. The gut feeling here is that we'll see that potential blossom this year as he matures into the space he creates for himself.
4. Hungry wide receivers. A year ago, a strong group of returning wideouts never quite gelled into the group many thought they would be.
This year could be a different story. There is not near as much experience, but coaches are quietly saying they'll be surprised if this crew doesn't exceed the production of last year's group.
What is already clear is that this bunch's work ethic is strong. Seniors Juwann Winfree, Kabion Ento and Jay MacIntyre are all putting in the work. Winfree appears to be on the verge of a big season, Ento has the ability to get his share and MacIntyre has worked tirelessly to come back from foot surgery and is showing all signs of being ready to roll.
There's also the fact that these seniors will be pushed by some youngsters. Along with Shenault, sophomore K.D. Nixon has the potential to be a playmaker and junior Tony Brown — a transfer who sat out last year — could be a quiet surprise.
5. Develop strong leadership. At the risk of going to the 2016 well too often, we'll do it one more time.
The success of the 10-4, Pac-12 South champion team from two years ago was forged via leadership in the summer. When those Buffs hit fall camp, they had a group of players who simply weren't going to allow Colorado to lose. They were leaders on and off the field.
The potential for such a group is present this year. Players like Rick Gamboa, Evan Worthington, Drew Lewis, Nick Fisher, Steven Montez, Tim Lynott Jr., Aaron Haigler, Josh Kaiser, Jay MacIntyre and Juwann Winfree are all battle-tested veterans. They have been around long enough to know what it takes to win — and they also know what it takes to provide the necessary leadership.
If those elder statesmen can step into the role of making this summer one that truly counts, it will bode well when the calendar hits August and September.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
