Buffs' Depth Chart For Season Opener Includes Blend Of Veterans, Newcomers
August 25, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado's starting lineup for next Friday's season opener against Colorado State could include as many as six sophomores and two freshmen, along with three junior college transfers who will be playing their first game at the Division I level.
CU head coach Mike MacIntyre released the Buffs' first depth chart of the regular season Saturday, but stressed that it is by no means permanent.
"You know how they say something's 'not etched in stone' — that's a depth chart," MacIntyre said after Saturday's practice. "It's basically a starting point. Everybody has to be available and ready. What we saw was that competition in camp has been excellent, and that helps you get better as a football team. We have a lot good football players and we play a lot of different schemes and formations. A lot of our guys are going to play."
After Saturday's practice, MacIntyre had team captain and starting right tackle Aaron Haigler address the team. Haigler recounted how he was not a starter the first two games of the 2016 season, but was then called into action in Week 3 when CU's starting right tackle went down with an injury.
That first start, Haigler, noted, came at Michigan in front of 100,000 fans. He ended up starting seven games that year, including the Pac-12 championship game and the Alamo Bowl. He stressed to his teammates that it is imperative to always be ready, and to know that starting assignments can change throughout the season.
"That's what we stress to our players," MacIntyre said. "Everybody has to be ready because you never know when you're going to be needed. You have to keep working and always be ready because things can change even in the middle of a game."
The Buffs officially wrapped up fall camp this week, and it was one of the most competitive camps in recent years at a number of positions. Some of those competitions went down to the final few days, and some are still up in the air, with several positions listing co-starters.
That includes wide receiver, where the starter at the "X" position is listed as either sophomore K.D. Nixon or senior Kabion Ento, while the "Z" spot is listed as either sophomore Laviska Shenault Jr. Â or senior Juwann Winfree.
Other sophomores listed atop their positions are Jacob Callier at outside linebacker, junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson at defensive end, Nate Landman at inside linebacker and Trey Udoffia at cornerback. Udoffia is listed as a co-starter with junior Dante Wigley, and Udoffia is the only sophomore starter with any previous starting experience. He and Wigley both started seven games last season
Another sophomore who could be in the starting lineup — depending upon CU's formation when the game begins — is sophomore nickelback Ronnie Blackmon.
Two freshmen are also listed atop their positions, including defensive lineman Israel Antwine. The true freshman had an outstanding fall camp, steadily moving up the depth chart in the process, and is listed No. 1 at left defensive end.
The other starting freshman is redshirt Colby Pursell at center, another young player who had a solid camp.
Both the offense and defense list 12 positions. On offense, CU lists a tight end/H-back, a spot that might not be on the field when the game begins, while the defense has a Buff back, the hybrid safety/outside linebacker spot.
If the Buffs do open with a Buff back, it will be manned by junior college transfer Davion Taylor, who will be playing his first game for Colorado. Also in line to play his first game as a Buff is JC transfer Delrick Abrams Jr. at cornerback. Those two, combined with Johnson and Antwine on the defensive line, mean the Buffs could have as many as four starters from their 2018 recruiting class in the starting lineup.
Other spots that were competitive throughout camp include the left side of the offensive line, where junior Brett Tonz has emerged as the starter at guard and senior Josh Kaiser at tackle. At running back, senior Kyle Evans and graduate transfer Travon McMillian are listed as co-starters.
And, senior Drew Lewis, who moved to outside linebacker midway through camp, is listed as a starter at OLB, with Landman lining up inside along senior Rick Gamboa.
As for returners, Ronnie Blackmon is listed No. 1 at punt returns while K.D. Nixon and Blackmon are atop the chart for kickoff returns.
There is, of course, plenty of experience in the starting lineup. Atop the depth chart at quarterback is junior Steven Montez, who started all 12 games last year, while veteran starters Aaron Haigler (tackle), Tim Lynott Jr. (guard) and Jay MacIntyre (wide receiver) are also listed No. 1. On defense, along with Lewis and Gamboa, players with starting experience at the No. 1 spots include Javier Edwards at nose tackle, Evan Worthington at strong safety and Nick Fisher at free safety.
CSU SCOUTING: MacIntyre said CU's coaches would have film available of CSU's Saturday evening opener soon after the game was over. The Rams opened their season with a home game against Hawaii.
CU coaches will begin breaking down the film and analyzing it Sunday morning. Of particular interest to the Buffs will be the Rams' defense, which is under the guidance of first-year coordinator John Jancek.
SOLID CAMP: Overall, MacIntyre said the Buffs' camp was a good one. While most camps have at least a day or two when players are less than fully engaged, MacIntyre said there were no such days this year.
"There wasn't a day where I call it pulling teeth," MacIntyre said. "Having to get them going, having to restart, having to crank it up. Wasn't a day where I had to call all the coaches over and say, 'Hey guys, we  have to get them going.' There wasn't one day like that, which is extremely encouraging to me."
CLASS BEGINS: Classes begin Monday at CU, and the Buffs will begin their regular fall schedule with practices in the morning.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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