Spring Position Preview: Development Of Offensive Line Will Be Crucial
March 10, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
This is the fourth in a series of position previews as new Colorado head coach Mel Tucker and his staff prepare for their first spring ball session in Boulder. The first spring practice is scheduled for March 18, with two more workouts set that week before CU takes its spring break. The Buffs will then resume practices on April 1, with the spring game set for April 27 at Folsom Field.
BOULDER — Strictly in terms of experience, Colorado's offensive line should have a good foundation for 2019.
Of the 60 starts across the line last fall (five positions, 12 games), players representing 39 of those starts will be available in spring ball — including at least one start at all five spots on the line. The list includes three players who started at least half the games at their position in 2018, and one — guard Tim Lynott Jr. — who has 33 career starts under his belt.
Still, there is no doubt plenty of work to be done in the spring and fall as the Buffs seek to develop more consistency in the trenches, something that has been an issue over the last two seasons. That job will go to new O-line coach Chris Kapilovic, who has been spending as much time as possible getting his new charges up to speed as they prepare for their spring practice session.
2018 IN REVIEW: The Buffs started well up front, and played maybe their best games of the season in early Pac-12 play, when CU beat UCLA and Arizona in back-to-back weeks.
But injuries and lack of depth took their toll over the course of the season. Colorado had the same starter all year at just one position, as Colby Pursell started every game at center. After that, the Buffs were forced to mix and match, with one player — Aaron Haigler — starting at three different spots.
The Buffs struggled to provide consistent pass protection, giving up 34 sacks in 12 games, including four games with at least four. In the run game, Colorado finished with 1,716 yards and a 1,000-yard rusher in Travon McMillian, but averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and 143 yards per game (both ninth in the Pac-12).
Colorado loses two starters from last year, Haigler and Josh Kaiser, to graduation.
WHO'S BACK: Players returning from last year who had at least one start include sophomore Pursell (12 starts), senior Lynott (nine), sophomore tackle Will Sherman (nine), senior guard Brett Tonz (six), sophomore tackle Frank Fillip (two) and sophomore guard Jake Moretti (one, plus one start at tight end).
There are some other returnees who should push for playing time. The group includes senior Jack Shutack, juniors Hunter Vaughn and Chance Lytle and sophomores Heston Paige and Kary Kutsch.
Three others who have a solid chance of fitting into the equation are redshirt freshmen Joshua Jynes, Kanan Ray and Casey Roddick, all of whom have made nice strides in the weight room since arriving. Ray, who originally signed with UCLA in 2017 but grayshirted, was hampered last year by a knee injury but has been cleared for full participation for the spring.
WHO'S NEW: This is another spot where the Buffs will have a new position coach, and Kapilovic — "Coach Kap" — brings some impressive credentials, including stints as offensive coordinator and run game coordinator at North Carolina.
In terms of players, the biggest new name up front will be graduate transfer Arlington Hambright, who started five games at left tackle last season for Oklahoma State before being sidelined by an injury. Hambright, though, won't be on campus until the summer.
Colorado also signed five offensive linemen in Tucker's first recruiting class, with two of them — high school signee Austin Johnson and junior college transfer Va'atofu Sauvao — already enrolled and participating in workouts.
SPRING STORYLINES: How quickly Kapilovic can instill his technique and get the line up to speed with a new offense will no doubt be one of the biggest keys of the spring. The Buffs have been working on their new offense install in the classroom and in walk-throughs, but the install will go up several more notches when players hit the field at practice.
While learning the new offense will no doubt be crucial, it will also be interesting to see where players line up.
Pursell will be at center. Sherman, who played left tackle last year, could make the move to the right side, as Hambright will likely fill the left spot when arrives in the summer. Lynott, who has played guard throughout his career but has also taken snaps at center in practice and in some games, could also continue to see that dual role.
Tackle will no doubt be a focus, as it is the position where the Buffs have the least returning experience. Fillip has experience there, and Shutack will get his shot, as will Vaughn and Ray. Lytle took steps at guard last year, Kutsch also saw some playing time there, Jynes should be ready to make a bid for some snaps and Roddick will fit into the equation as well.
Overall, it will be one of the most critical spots for the Buffs in spring ball. The installation of CU's new offense under coordinator Jay Johnson will be a dramatic change for everyone involved, but no one more than the players expected to block that scheme. It means new techniques, new vocabulary and a new approach — and precious little time to take it all in.
FALL CAMP LOOK AHEAD: The goal in spring will be to develop at least some semblance of a depth chart so the Buffs can hit the fall with a good idea of what their two-deep will look like.
Fall will also mean adding Hambright to the mix, as well as three more newcomers — Nikko Pohahau, Valentin Senn and Jake Wiley —  all high school signees. True freshmen rarely make a dent on the offensive line, but their presence simply in terms of depth and development will be a plus.
SPRING SCHEDULE: Tucker's first CU spring session is set to start the week before spring break on Monday, March 18, with the spring game set for Saturday, April 27 (Noon, to be televised live by the Pac-12 Networks). The dates are as follows: March 18-20-22—(spring break)—April 1-3-5-8-10-12-15-17-19-22-24-27. The team is allowed 15 practices; how the practice sessions will break down, per NCAA rules: three in shorts (no contact), four in pads (no tackling), four in pads (tackling allowed 50 percent or less of the time), four in pads (tackling allowed throughout). Spring break (March 25-29) does not count against the 29 days should the schedule be dramatically revised for some reason. CU's annual Pro-Timing Day has been set for Wednesday, March 6 (1-4 p.m.).
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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