What To Look For In Saturday's Buffs Scrimmage
August 09, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — There should be no shortage of positions and players to watch Saturday when the Colorado Buffaloes host an open scrimmage at Folsom Field.
Gates open at 9 a.m. The scrimmage portion of the practice set to begin at about 10:30 a.m., and Pac-12 referees will work the scrimmage.
Barely a week in, this year's camp has already been extremely competitive on both sides of the ball. Coaches are mixing and matching combinations at almost every position, and players are taking advantage every day of the opportunity to prove they should be on the field Aug. 31 when the Buffs open the season against Colorado State in Denver.
What to watch Saturday:
Defensive line — While the Buffs have a pair of starters returning in nose tackle Javier Edwards and defensive end Chris Mulumba, plenty of other players have been getting their share of repetitions up front.
Senior Jase Franke and junior college transfer Mustafa Johnson can play defensive end in the straight 3-4 lineup as well as inside when the Buffs drop to two down linemen in their nickel package. Also getting plenty of snaps have been redshirt freshman Terrance Lang and nose tackle Lyle Tuiloma, and true freshman Israel Antwine has stepped up in the last few days to insert his name into the competition.
This has been a priority position for the Buffs as they aim to improve both their run defense and pressure on the quarterback. Coaches have been trying a variety of combinations, and it's a position that almost certainly won't be decided until down the home stretch of camp.
Linebacker — We'll throw inside and outside together here, as the competition at both has produced some outstanding plays already in camp.
On the inside, the Buffs not only have a pair of returning starters, they have last year's two leading tacklers in Rick Gamboa and Drew Lewis. The two have done nothing to suggest they won't be the starters again this year.
But, it is also becoming apparent that sophomore Nate Landman is going to get his share of playing time, as he's seen plenty of time with the No. 1 defense thus far, working alongside Gamboa and also alongside Lewis.
On the outside, the Buffs have one returning starter in Jacob Callier, along with Nu'umoto Falo Jr., Carson Wells and Alex Tchangam. You can also throw Buff back Davion Taylor into the mix, a player CU coaches love because of his versatility and ability to line up all over the field.
All of them have made plays and had their moments. Saturday's scrimmage will be just the next opportunity to show what they can do in full-contact mode.
Cornerback — No surprise that there's a host of talent here on a team that has sent three corners to the NFL in the last two years.
Returning starter Trey Udoffia, a sophomore, has had a solid camp and is quietly becoming a leader among the group. Redshirt freshman Chris Miller is listed at No. 1 on the other side, but both Miller and Udoffia are being pushed by junior college transfer Delrick Abrams Jr., who is showing a knack for the big play.
Also in the mix are junior Dante Wigley, who started seven games last year, as well as sophomore Ronnie Blackmon, who is also the No. 1 nickelback.
It's another place where coaches are trying a variety of combinations, especially when the Buffs play their nickel formations. The current depth chart is by no means the one we'll see in late August, and Saturday will be a chance for someone to solidify a spot — or someone else to jump up a notch.
Wide receiver — Another place where there is a wealth of talent, with different players coming up with big plays every day.
The current depth chart has Juwann Winfree, Laviska Shenault Jr., Kabion Ento, and Jay MacIntyre listed at No. 1. But also coming up with outstanding catches have been K.D. Nixon, Jaylon Jackson and Tony Brown. Competition has been intense, and it likely won't be settled anytime soon. Odds are, all will see some playing time this year, but the scrimmages will give coaches a chance to see how they all react in live situations.
Running back — This might be the most wide-open position in camp, as the Buffs try to fill the hole created by Phillip Lindsay's graduation. If there's been any kind of trend thus far in camp, it's only this: nothing is being close to decided.
The most recent depth chart had senior Kyle Evans atop the heap, and Evans has been getting his share of reps. But right behind him has been transfer Travon McMillian, with junior Beau Bisharat, senior Donovan Lee and redshirt freshman Alex Fontenot all getting their chances as well.
Each of them has had their moments in camp thus far, and coaches are experimenting with different combinations depending upon the situation (short yardage, red zone, third-and-long, etc).
It's another position that likely won't be decided until late in camp — and one that could see plenty of change even as the year progresses.
Quarterback — Yes, junior Steven Montez is the incumbent starter, and he's had a good camp, particularly with the deep ball. He's reading defenses better and has developed a much better pocket presence. It would definitely be a surprise if he's not the starter when the Buffs kick it off against the Rams in Denver.
But, sophomore Sam Noyer has been impressive, as has redshirt freshman Tyler Lytle. Both have made huge strides since the spring in terms of throwing the ball and developing a comfort level within the offense. It has at the very least created a sense of competition at the position — and all three should be worth watching in Saturday's scrimmage.
Tight end/H-back — This is a position that might not make a lot of flashy plays, but is an integral part of CU's offense, and there's plenty of talent.
Chris Bounds has established himself as a guy who can play inline next to the tackle and serve as an extra blocker in the run and pass game, as well as a capable receiver. Redshirt freshman Brady Russell, meanwhile, continues to climb up the depth chart and turn heads in practice, while sophomore Jared Poplawski and junior Darrion Jones are big, athletic players who can go up and get the ball.
Offensive line — This is a position that hasn't seen a lot of movement so far in camp, but it's still not one that's etched in stone by any means.
So far, the Buffs have utilized Aaron Haigler (right) and Josh Kaiser (left) at tackle, Tim Lynott Jr. (right) and Brett Tonz (left) at guard, and Colby Pursell at center. Keep an eye on how the group works together on Saturday, as well as the performance of those in the No. 2 group. Seldom does an offensive line make it through an entire season without losing a few games to injury; how those backups perform will be important.
SELECT-A-SEAT: Saturday's scrimmage will offer a Select-A-Seat opportunity for fans. The program offers fans a chance to watch live action from the best locations still available to purchase season tickets or three-game flex plans. Those interested in Select-A-Seat can go to https://buffs.me/2M8Eb1l and fill out an RSVP form.
PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs hit the field in full pads Thursday morning for a three-hour workout that included plenty of situational work as usual.
It was an up-and-down day for quarterback Steven Montez. The junior had a picture-perfect long touchdown pass to a streaking Laviska Shenault Jr. down the sidelines in 11-on-11 drills, and also had a nice toss to Jaylon Jackson in the back of the end zone in red zone work.
But, he also had a pair of interceptions, the first to Buff back Davion Taylor, who stayed underneath on a hook and played the ball perfectly; and the second to safety Nick Fisher, who made a nice break on a toss over the middle. …
All of the running backs continue to make plays. Donovan Lee was solid again in the red zone, Travon McMillian made some nice cut to the outside, Beau Bisharat had some good bursts and Kyle Evans continues to provide a great pop inside and out. …
Defensively, cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr. had a pair of pass breakups on deep balls while Trey Udoffia made a nice play on a ball on fade route in the corner of the end zone in red zone drills. … Also coming up with a nice play on a ball across the middle was true freshman safety Hasaan Hypolite. … Up front, Terrance Lang and Jase Franke are both making plays, while CU's linebackers are getting some consistent pressure on the quarterback. ...
On special teams, kicker James Stefanou booted a 56-yard field goal that cleared the bar with room to spare.
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will practice in light pads Friday before Saturday's scrimmage.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Players Mentioned
