Woelk: Five Defense Priorities For Fall Camp
July 28, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It is no secret that the biggest difference between Colorado's 10-win season in 2016 and five-win finish in 2017 was a defense that struggled to find its footing all year.
While the offense certainly had its share of inconsistencies, the defense found itself on its heels more often than not.
Not that a step back was by any means a surprise. A group that that lost eight starters to graduation as well as its defensive coordinator was, in many ways, starting from scratch. The numbers bore that out, as opponents enjoyed significant increases in just about every statistical category.
That includes the most important stat of all — the numbers on the scoreboard.
In In 2017, the Buff yielded 28.2 points per game, a jump of nearly eight points over the previous season. Those numbers were even more stark in Pac-12 play. In 2016, Colorado yielded more than 30 points just once in nine regular season conference games; last year, Pac-12 opponents surpassed 30 points six times.
But there are reasons for optimism this year, and the general consensus is Colorado will be better — maybe much better — on the defensive side.
For starters, the Buffs should be much more comfortable in their second year under coordinator D.J. Eliot — and vice versa. Eliot now has a very good idea of who his playmakers are and how best to fit his scheme to best utilize those players' talents. Meanwhile, many of those inexperienced players from a year ago now have a year of Pac-12 play under their belt and will be better because of it.
But maybe most importantly, there are a handful of newcomers and young players — many of whom are on nobody's radar — who could have an immediate and significant impact.
It all adds up to a crucial fall camp for Mike MacIntyre's sixth CU team. The Buffs report for camp on Wednesday and open practice Thursday. They will then have 25 practices to prepare for the Aug. 31 opener against Colorado State in Denver (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
Five areas that will no doubt be a priority throughout camp:
1. Improving the run defense. While the Colorado defense took a step back in just about every area last season, it was the run defense that opened the door for opponents. CU gave up an average of 208 yards per game and 5.23 per rush, both 10th in the league.
There are some good reasons to believe the Buffs will be better here this year, beginning with the fact that two starters from last year's defensive line, nose tackle Javier Edwards and defensive end Chris Mulumba, are returning. Edwards made stride in the weight room and has improved his stamina. Mulumba, meanwhile, showed signs down the stretch last year of becoming a quality Pac-12 player, and followed that up with a solid spring. The Buffs also have some steady returnees in nose tackle Lyle Tuiloma and Jase Franke, and new position coach Kwahn Drake has had a positive influence from the get-go.
There will also be three new names in the equation up front: junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson, redshirt freshman Terrance Lang and true freshman Israel Antwine. All three could be impact players and give CU some much-needed depth in the trenches.
The Buffs should also be stronger at inside linebacker, where both starters from a year ago — Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis — return, as well as sophomore Nate Landman, who had an outstanding spring. Gamboa and Lewis are atop the depth chart headed into camp, but Landman will almost certainly get plenty of snaps. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and is a physical player who has already earned a reputation as a big hitter. Landman will add to an inside game that should improve CU's play against big, physical running backs, and the depth there should also be improved with sophomore Akil Jones and redshirt freshman Jonathan Van Diest.
2. Bump up the pass rush. CU finished with just 22 sacks last year, a dramatic drop from the 36 a year prior.
The Buffs believe they have the talent to push that sack total back into the 30s this year.
An improved defensive line will no doubt help. Lang, in particular, is a player who can get to the quarterback with regularity.
But CU coaches are also optimistic about their prospects at outside linebacker. Sophomore Jacob Callier, who led the Buffs with 11 quarterback pressures last year, had a solid offseason in the weight room, adding muscle and speed. Also back after a year's absence is Nu'umoto Falo Jr., who also had an outstanding offseason.
Meanwhile, CU coaches are excited about the prospects of redshirt freshman Carson Wells, who had a terrific spring and is listed atop the depth chart coming into camp. Wells, who battled an illness last fall, is now a solid 250 pounds and displayed a knack for making big plays throughout the spring. CU coaches are also anxious to see junior college transfer Alex Tchangam in action, an athletic 250-pounder who can play the run and the pass.
And, it will be interesting to see how Eliot utilizes Buff back Davion Taylor, one of the best overall athletes on the team. Taylor can drop into coverage, but could also hear his number called on a regular basis as a pass rusher, particularly when CU drops into nickel coverage. The Buffs used Chidobe Awuzie in a similar role two years ago; Taylor is a player who definitely fits that athletic mold.
3. Increase takeaways. Colorado's defense forced just 13 turnovers last season (five fumbles and eight interceptions), with special teams recording another fumble recovery.
CU needs to bump that number up considerably, and the potential is there.
While Colorado did lose its best cornerback, Isaiah Oliver, there is still plenty of talent in the secondary. Last year's leader in interceptions, safety Evan Worthington (three), is back and could double that number this year. Also back is safety Nick Fisher, another Buff with big-play potential, as evidenced by his 100-yard interception return last year against Cal.
Meanwhile, CU is loaded with young talent on the corners. Trey Udoffia and Dante Wigley, both of whom started at various times last year, are returning, and CU coaches are excited about the development of redshirt freshman Chris Miller and junior college transfer Delrick Abrams Jr. Both had excellent springs and displayed a nose for the ball, and Miller enters the fall listed atop the depth chart at one corner.
As for the fumbles portion of the equation, it's simply a matter of making opportunities and converting. The Buffs forced 14 fumbles last year and recovered six. If they can force a few more this year, the recoveries should also increase.
4. Establish a defensive line rotation. As the year wore on last year, Colorado's lack of depth in the trenches showed. The Buffs simply wore down in the third and fourth quarters.
That's something they should be able to address in camp. As mentioned previously, Mulumba, Edwards, Franke and Tuiloma are all back — a good start. Meanwhile, Johnson is a powerful player who can play inside or on the edge, and Lang should make his presence known. Antwine, meanwhile, could also fit in immediately.
If all the above play up to expectations, it will mean the Buffs will be much fresher down the stretch. That will be an important development in the overall strength of CU's defense.
5. Develop an attitude — and have fun playing the game. Gamboa, a two-year captain, said he noticed something when reviewing film of the 2016 season.
The Buffs had fun on defense. They made plays because they played with some swagger. They were a tough, hard-nosed team that had confidence in critical situations and made big plays when they needed them most.
That's an attitude that can't be learned in the film room. It has to be groomed during fall camp, and it has to start with team leaders and flow through the rest of the team.
Just a couple of weeks ago, MacIntyre said he loved what he's seen from this year's bunch in summer workouts as far as work ethic, leadership and team buy-in.
If the Buffs can carry that attitude into fall camp and develop it throughout August, this could be a defense that will be much better than many people expect when the calendar hits September.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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Players Mentioned
