Colorado University Athletics
Woelk: 11 To Watch On Buffs Defense In Fall Camp
July 16, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — With players scheduled to report Aug. 1, fall camp for the Colorado Buffaloes is now roughly just two weeks away.
It will no doubt be an interesting camp with all kinds of storylines as the Buffs head into Mike MacIntyre's sixth season in Boulder.
The biggest question, of course, will be whether the Buffs can bounce back from last year's 5-7 finish and return to a bowl game for the second time in three years. In terms of conference play, Colorado coaches and players quietly believe they can contend for a Pac-12 South title, especially given the state of flux of the division (three of the six head coaches in the division — Kevin Sumlin at Arizona, Herm Edwards at Arizona State and Chip Kelly at UCLA — are in their first years at their respective schools).
But to get to that point, the Buffs will have to make some significant strides in plenty of areas. Starting jobs will be open virtually across the board, and the influence of newcomers on this team is guaranteed to be significant.
The "team" storylines will include the progress of the defense in the second year of coordinator D.J Eliot, as well as the evolution of the offense under co-coordinators Darrin Chiaverini and Klayton Adams.
But the story within the story will be individual player development — particularly the newcomers, as well as returning players who could have a much bigger impact this year.
Here are 11 defensive players who will be especially fun to watch in camp. Some are newcomers and some are returnees, and the list doesn't include established starters such as Rick Gamboa, Evan Worthington and Drew Lewis. Not all will be starters when the season begins — but all have a chance to become impact players as the Buffs look to increase their defensive takeaways (just 14 last year) as well as their sack production (just 22 in 2017).
Sophomore ILB Nate Landman — We got a taste last year of what Landman can do down the stretch when he had 11 tackles (two for loss), two passes defensed, a blocked punt and a third-down stop in the last two games. This year, CU coaches are expecting a lot more than a taste. Landman is a heady, instinctive player who has also made the most of his time in the weight room. If he develops like coaches believe he can, he'll be one of those playmakers whose nose for the ball will give him plenty of opportunities to be in the right place at the right time.
Junior Buff back Davion Taylor — A junior college transfer who made big strides in the spring, Taylor is a terrific athlete who could have an impact in many ways. He can play the run, he can drop into pass coverage — and he can rush the passer. CU coaches are still exploring different ways to make the best use of his talents, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Taylor be a guy who finishes the season with four or five quarterback sacks, an interception or two and among CU's tackles leaders.
Junior OLB Nu'umoto Falo Jr. — Back after a season away from the team, Falo has been a tireless worker over the summer. He's added muscle while keeping his weight the same, and he could be a force on the outside, both against the run and getting to the quarterback. Falo showed flashes his first two years; this could be the year he takes his game up a notch.
Sophomore OLB Jacob Callier — Listed atop the final spring depth chart, coaches are looking for some big steps forward from the youngster who last year led the team with 11 quarterback pressures (along with one sack) as a true freshman. Callier has had a good summer in the weight room, redistributing some weight and adding some speed. If the Buffs can force teams into more third-and-long situations this year, Callier will be a big factor on obvious passing downs.
Freshman CB Chris Miller — Coaches love this redshirt freshman's instincts, with some staffers saying he has a chance to be a Chidobe Awuzie-type player. Miller had an excellent spring and emerged atop the depth chart at corner after displaying consistent playmaking ability. It's a place the Buffs will desperately need that kind of ability, as only one cornerback on CU's current roster (Trey Udoffia) had an interception last year. Miller could be a player who comes up with some of those defensive takeaways the Buffs need.
Freshman DE Terrance Lang — Another player who showed terrific "flashes" in spring ball, coaches now want to see the redshirt freshman become more consistent. Lang made the most of his time in the weight room over the last year, and is another reason the Buffs are confident they can be significantly better against the run this year as well as put more pressure on the quarterback.
Senior DE Chris Mulumba — Yes, the Buffs know they have to improve their pass rush — but to do that, they know they have to play better on second down and force opponents into third-and-long situations. Mulumba is the only established starter on this list, but we include him because he's still so new to the game and still has a huge upside. He came on strong down the stretch last year with nine tackles in the last two games and is one reason the Buffs think they will improve in their second-down defense. The native of Finland has the strength to play the run in the trenches, has improved his pass rush and he has made big improvement in his instinctive reactions.
Junior CB Delrick Abrams Jr. — Another member of this year's recruiting class, the junior college transfer is a rangy (6-foot-3) corner who has a knack for getting up and getting to the ball in coverage. He's another player who could help the Buffs dramatically improve their defensive takeaway numbers this year.
Freshman OLB Carson Wells — Wells battled an illness for much of last fall and thus redshirted. But he's healthy now and the results have showed in the weight room, as he's put on some serious upper body muscle. Wells is physical enough to play the run and can also rush the passer — giving CU another weapon in the quest to get to the quarterback more often.
Sophomore DE Mustafa Johnson — A powerfully-built 6-foot-2, 285-pounder, Johnson showed in the spring that he can play inside and outside on the line. That ability should give him the chance to earn plenty of playing time as the Buffs bounce back and forth between two and three down linemen, depending upon down and distance.
Freshman DL Israel Antwine — It's not often a true freshman has an impact on the D-line, but he and fellow freshman Tava Finau will both have the opportunity to earn some snaps. Antwine is a solid 315 pounds and has had a good summer — particularly for an incoming freshman — in strength and conditioning. It wouldn't be a surprise to see this powerful youngster get a long look, especially inside, in fall camp.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Players Mentioned
