Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Tackle Sherman Gaining Confidence As Playing Time Increases
September 21, 2018 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It may not have been the optimal time for William Sherman to get his first "critical" snaps as a Division I offensive lineman: on the road, in one of college football's most hostile environments, with the Buffs trailing against a defense determined to get to Colorado quarterback Steven Montez as often as possible.
But that's exactly where Sherman got his initiation with Colorado's No. 1 offense — and down the stretch at Nebraska, the CU redshirt freshman did his job, including throwing a big block on NU linebacker Alex Davis on the Buffs' game-winning touchdown.
"That was a confidence builder," said Sherman, who had 34 snaps in the game in a relief appearance at left tackle. "As soon as my number was called, I told myself, 'If we don't win the game, it's going to be because of me. So lock in and do whatever you can to help us get this win.'"
Sherman did lock in. He had a key role in Colorado's two second-half touchdown drives, and in a game in which the Huskers finished with seven quarterback sacks, he held his own.
"I just tried to get all my technique right, tried to play fast and physical," Sherman said. "Thankfully Steven and Viska made the big play."
His performance against the Huskers earned him more playing time last week against New Hampshire, when he was on the field for 55 offensive snaps. Now, with 102 snaps under his belt, he is the only CU offensive lineman with at least 100 snaps who hasn't given up a sack.
"I'm getting there," Sherman said of his progress. "Getting my first college snaps in those first three games has helped me become a lot more comfortable with the playbook and reading defensive keys. I'm definitely not 100 percent there — I have a lot to work on and improve — but I've progressed."
Sherman's role has steadily grown since the beginning of the season. He played 13 snaps in CU's opening win over Colorado State, jumped up to 34 against Nebraska, then had 55 vs. New Hampshire. While CU coaches are still mixing and matching combinations up front, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get his first college start — or at least plenty of playing time — next Friday, when the Buffs open Pac-12 play at home against UCLA (7 p.m., FS1).
"Will's very athletic, he can play guard and tackle, and he's he's getting better each and every day," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "I think the Nebraska game gave him a tremendous amount of confidence and then he played really well last week. He's so athletic, he can sometimes make up for making a mistake. He can recover and push the guy by or stay on the block. I've been pleased with him and expect him to keep getting bigger and stronger as it goes."
The 6-foot-4 Sherman is relatively light for a left tackle, weighing in between 280 and 290 pounds. But he has quick feet, is long and athletic, and is a good fit for Colorado's up-tempo "Folsom Fast" offense. Still, the task of being in the condition required to play at that tempo while trying to keep his weight up isn't easy.
"It's extremely tough — trying to gain weight or at least keep it up, and also be in tip-top shape so you can go with the tempo," Sherman said. "But the way we practice — Folsom Fast — is good. We move fast in practice because we know that whoever comes into Folsom, or when we get to sea level, we're going to be in better shape than they are."
Sherman is part of a relatively young group of offensive linemen who have pushed their way into some regular playing time this year. Also in that group are starting center Colby Pursell, and guards Kary Kutsch and Jacob Moretti, both of whom started against New Hampshire.
But it is Sherman who plays the most visible spot on the offensive line.
"The tackle spots are like the cornerback spots," MacIntyre said. "You can play 70 really good snaps and if you mess up on two or three, everybody's saying, 'Oh, the offensive line is terrible. The corners are terrible.' It's so hard to play those positions. The confidence factor is huge. They have to understand that every play — every play — they have to be intently ready. Every position has to be that way, but those two positions, it happens so fast, if you are off just a little bit, it makes a huge difference."
Sherman just wants to continue improving on a daily basis.
"We have a lot of things to work on, myself and the offensive line as a whole," he said. "But I think with this bye week and this next week, we'll be ready for Pac-12 play."
SCHEDULE: The Buffs held their last bye week practice Friday morning on the lower practice fields. They will have the weekend off, then return to work Monday on Franklin Field to begin preparations for UCLA.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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