Woelk: Buffs 'Unknowns' Have Become Potential Impact Players

BOULDER — On a team that had a solid corps of returning veterans, the Colorado Buffaloes still entered fall camp this year with a host of unknowns.

The Buffs needed those unknowns — players with the potential to be significant contributors — to step up.

Those young players have done just that. When the Buffs open their season Aug. 31 against Colorado State in Denver, the lineup could include a host of players with little or no CU experience — and those players could be difference-makers when it comes to Colorado stepping back into the postseason bowl picture.

Here are five of those players who could have an immediate and significant effect on the Buffs' fortunes:

LB Nate Landman — The sophomore linebacker may be one of the biggest impact players on CU's defense this year, for a variety of reasons.

One, Landman has all the tools to be a dominant force on the inside. Observers familiar with CU history have compared him to former Buffs greats Ted Johnson and Greg Biekert, linebackers who were known for their instincts and intensity. Landman fits that mold, and in CU's two scrimmages thus far, he has been the Buffs' leading tackler, showing a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

"Nate played well as a freshman last year for us at different times and on special teams, and he really flashed a couple of times," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "Then he really worked hard in the offseason and this fall, the first five or six practices, he just went to another level."

That move to the next level has allowed the Buffs to make a move that could make them Buffs stronger at two positions.

Early in camp, MacIntyre and his staff planned to rotate Landman inside with returning starters Drew Lewis and Rick Gamboa. But as MacIntyre studied the situation more and more, he realized he needed to find a way to get all three on the field as much as possible.

It meant asking Lewis to make the move from inside — where he has played the last two seasons — to the outside.

"Now we have three really good players who can make a lot of plays on the field at the same time from the linebacker spot instead of one of them standing by us for half the game," MacIntyre said.

Of course, for the move to work, Lewis had to be on board and agree to the move. When he realized the outside was a perfect spot to take advantage of his outstanding speed and strength, he agreed.

"It's not very often you have an inside 'backer who can go play outside who is as athletic as Drew," MacIntyre said. "It was a combination of both of them being able to do it well and Drew taking the 'Whatever I can do for the team' attitude. A lot of credit goes to him. No. 1, being a good enough athlete, and No. 2 being excited about doing it."

For Lewis, the move is one that could help him in his goal to play at the next level. While fairly light (225 pounds) for an inside linebacker in the NFL, he is much better suited physically for the outside.

"I really do think it's going to benefit me in the long run," Lewis said. "First off, it's going to improve my resume´ a little, being able to say I can play two different positions and be a little more versatile. On top of that, not being the biggest guy on the field, I can see myself getting more productivity on the edge, especially at the next level. I like being out there in space because it gives you a little more freedom to make plays on the ball."

Lewis will still play inside on occasion, especially when the Buffs drop in to their nickel package. But his versatility — and Landman's rapid development — could make a dramatic difference in CU's defense.

WR Laviska Shenault Jr. — Much like Landman, Shenault tantalized Buffs fans a year ago with "flashes" when he got on the field.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound sophomore will almost certainly do more than flash this year. One of the fastest and strongest receivers on the field, Shenault has the versatility to cause matchup nightmares for defensive coordinators. He is too big and strong for most corners and too fast for most linebackers. He can line up at all of the wide receiver spots, can run deep patterns and crossing routes with equal effectiveness, and has terrific hands.

He will no doubt be a weapon the Buffs will utilize, and he is definitely ready for the job.

Perhaps the best description of Shenault comes from wide receivers coach/co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini: "The game's not too big for that kid."

DL Israel Antwine — The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Antwine has made strides on a daily basis, to the point that he will almost certainly see some quality snaps when the lights go on Aug. 31. He is gaining confidence quickly, is improving his technique and before his career is over, he will be a player who will require a double team from opposing offensive lines.

"Israel is doing some really good things," said defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot after a recent scrimmage. "He's physical, he's fast, he has a great work ethic. He's a guy that's going to do some really good things for us."

Strictly in terms of physical development, Antwine is far ahead of most freshmen.

"Usually those guys have to develop physically," Eliot said. "But Israel is one of the strongest guys on our team coming in. He's ready to go right now."

Center Colby Pursell — The Buffs had a good idea of what they had in Pursell last fall, when they considered pulling his redshirt and getting him into the lineup.

But now, they have the 6-foot-4, 290-pounder for the next four years, and it's not hard to imagine him manning the starting spot throughout that time.

In both scrimmages, Pursell has handled the offensive line calls with the confidence of a veteran. His snaps have been steady throughout camp (an often overlooked but vital part of an offense that runs from the shotgun) and he has blocked well in pass and run situations.

He has also earned the confidence of his linemates and solid reviews from MacIntyre and O-line coach/co-offensive coordinator Klayton Adams.

"He's been real consistent," MacIntyre said. "He's playing like we thought he could, and that's been good to see."

DL Terrance Lang — One of the most physically gifted players on the defensive front, Lang has shown more and more flashes of his potential over the last week. A big (6-foot-6, 275), long and athletic lineman, Lang can get to the quarterback and change the direction of a pass simply by getting his hand in the air.

He is also improving daily against the run, and will almost certainly be a key part of the rotation as the Buffs try to keep their D-line fresh.

"He's understanding it better and better," MacIntyre said. "A lot better than he was the first part of spring. I've seen a change in him, just the maturity level. The good thing is he flashes quite often. Hopefully he'll be able to do that on Saturdays and we believe he will."

There are, of course, several other newcomers and young players who could be impact players. The list includes outside linebacker Carson Wells, wide receiver Tony Brown, cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr., offensive lineman Jake Moretti, inside linebacker Jonathan Van Diest, offensive lineman William Sherman and tight end Brady Russell.

It is a sign that the Buffs have improved their depth via recruiting — also a good sign for the future, as every one of the players mentioned here has at least two years remaining in the program.

"The thing is, we've recruited well," Chiaverini said. "We've added players at a lot of positions, we've improved our depth and we've gotten better. Now we have to show it on Saturdays."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu