Position Preview: Newcomers Bolster Buffs' Defensive Line

BOULDER — There was perhaps no position hit harder by graduation on the Colorado football team last year than the defensive line.

The Buffs had to replace all three starters from the previous season, and the inexperience and lack of depth showed. Throughout 2017, CU's defensive line struggled to establish any kind of consistency, especially against the run. Colorado finished the season yielding 5.23 yards per rush attempt and 208 yards per game — more than 1 yard more per attempt and 50 yards more per game than in 2016.

But, the outlook is much better this year for the Buffs and first-year D-line coach Kwahn Drake. Two starters from last year return with some much-needed experience under their belt, as well as some returning reserves.

Perhaps most importantly, the Buffs also have some newcomers who are expected to have an immediate and significant impact.

"Since our time in the spring, I've seen the guys continue to develop," said Drake, who has added a huge dose of energy and enthusiasm to the position group's daily drills. "Right now the biggest thing is that we're getting guys healthy, getting them back kind of preparing for CSU now and getting going. I'm excited about our freshmen that have come in. I expect those guys to come in and play and contribute immediately."

Back from a year ago are starting nose tackle Javier Edwards and defensive end Chris Mulumba, both of whom transferred in from junior colleges a year ago.

Edwards has slimmed down to 330 pounds (he weighed close to 390 when he arrived a year ago) and has added some strength and power to his legs, which has greatly helped his stamina. Mulumba, meanwhile, had a strong finish in 2017 and has steadily improved since.

"Javy is a great guy who understands what we're looking for up front and he's taken a new ownership of the entire defensive line," Drake said. "Mulumba is a guy who just keeps improving."

But it is the play of junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson, redshirt freshman Terrance Lang and true freshman Israel Antwine that has added perhaps the healthiest dose of optimism. All three have had solid fall camps and all three are expected to have an impact.

Johnson, a sophomore who arrived in time for spring ball, is a sturdy, powerful 6-foot-2, 290 pounder who can play inside and out. He has shown an ability to push the pocket on passing downs and has also been steady against the run. His versatility allows him to play outside in CU's basic 3-4 and also line up inside when the Buffs go to just two down linemen and a pair of rush ends.

"He's going to play up and down the line," Drake said. "I'm excited about him. The sky's the limit for him."

One of the most pleasant developments in camp has been the rapid progress of Antwine, a true freshman who arrived in the summer. After starting camp at the bottom of the depth chart, the 6-4, 315 pounder quickly rose up the ladder and has put himself in position to be considered for a starting berth for next Friday's season opener against Colorado State.

An engaging young man who goes by the nickname "Izzy," Antwine almost always wears a smile off the field.

"He's a great guy, a great team guy, the players love him and he's fitting right in," Drake said. "He's given us another edge to our room and I greatly appreciate it."

But, Drake said, that smile disappears when Antwine pulls a helmet on.

"He is a mean man," Drake said. "If you talk with him, he'll tell you — on game day, Izzy ain't here no more."

Lang, another physically gifted lineman, is a redshirt freshman who spent last season adding weight and muscle to his 6-foot-6 frame. Now carrying 275 pounds — with room for more — Lang has steadily improved in camp, showing a knack for going inside to get to the passer as well as being a run stopper.

"I've seen him continually develop," Drake said. "He's gotten flexible, he's gotten better with his hips. Those are some of the things we're big on up front — hips, hands and the feet — and we're developing and coordinating those things right now. We're trying to continue to develop and give him things in his repertoire and improve his pass rush and continue to work the run game a little more."

The Buffs also have some returning experience in Jase Franke and Lyle Tuiloma. Franke is a 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior who can play all positions on the line while Tuiloma is a 310-pound developing nose guard.

"Jase is the strongest guy in the room," Drake said. "He's going to help us knock guys back, put guys two yards back. I'm excited about that. Lyle is going to be our next guy that kind of gets going and he's going to be the guy that's going to carry us next year as well. We're excited about his development. He continuously is getting better and better each day."

The Buffs also have some other young players who are developing. Sophomore Terriek Roberts and incoming freshman Melekiola Finau have both had their moments in fall camp.

The likely scenario is that the Buffs will rotate their linemen depending upon the situation.

"You evaluate the abilities of the guys that you have, then you develop a depth chart and the rotations off that," Drake said. "If I have more players that are at the same level, we'll rotate more."

WHO'S BACK: Seniors Chris Mulumba, Javier Edwards and Jase Franke; juniors Lyle Tuiloma, Mo Bandi; sophomore Terriek Roberts; redshirt freshmen Terrance Lang, Nico Magri.

WHO'S NEW: Sophomore Mustafa Johnson; freshmen Israel Antwine, Melekiola Finau, Jalen Sami (injured, redshirt) and Ben Martinez.

PENCIL DEPTH CHART: Nose tackle: Edwards, Tuiloma, Magri, Bandi; Left defensive end: Johnson, Lang, Roberts, Finau; Right defensive end: Mulumba or Antwine, Franke

WHAT'S IN STORE: If the Buffs defense is going to take a big step forward, it has to start here. Edwards has improved in the middle, and Mulumba has also made strides. But they will need some consistent production from Johnson, Antwine and Lang for the group to be a factor once again in Pac-12 play.

STAT TO REMEMBER: A year ago, Colorado gave up an average of 5.23 yards per rush attempt and 208 yards per game on the ground. Those numbers have to come down this year if the defense is going to take a step forward.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu