Colorado University Athletics
Spring Position Preview: Tight Ends Will See Role Increased
March 13, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
This is the fifth 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 — Folks looking for a position that could undergo the biggest change under the new Colorado coaching staff might want to start with tight end.
For the last several years, CU's tight ends have been used almost solely as blockers, either lining up tight on the tackle on the line of scrimmage or shifting into the backfield as a fullback or H-back.
But that will almost certainly change under new head coach Mel Tucker and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. Tucker comes from SEC schools Georgia and Alabama that used the tight end as a legitimate offensive weapon; the position has also been a key receiver in Johnson's schemes.
Last year at Georgia, where Johnson was an offensive analyst, the Bulldogs' third-leading player in receiving yards was tight end Isaac Natua, who caught 30 passes for 430 yards and three touchdowns.
Since being hired, Tucker has made it clear he wants the Buffs' tight ends to play a similar role.
"We really need to use the tight end," Tucker said. "The tight end, when used properly, can give the defense fits."
2018 IN REVIEW: Colorado's tight ends were not a primary target by any stretch of the imagination last year. The position combined for a total of six catches for 56 yards in 2018, with sophomore-to-be Brady Russell accounting for five of those receptions for 41 yards (and four of those catches in one game).
WHO'S BACK: Russell, a rapidly improving former walk-on, is a versatile athlete who can line up tight as an extra blocker in the running game, run good routes and can even line up in the slot on occasion.
Also returning is senior Darrion Jones, an outstanding athlete who is still learning the position, along with redshirt sophomore Jared Poplawski, a promising youngster who was sidelined last year with a knee injury. Also returning for his junior year is Derek Coleman.
WHO'S NEW: Tucker made it clear he how much he plans on increasing the emphasis at the position on early signing day in December when he announced the addition of Auburn grad transfer Jalen Harris. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Harris has been on campus this spring, giving him a chance to get familiar with CU's playbook as well as take part in the strength and conditioning program.
SPRING STORYLINES: The story here will be how much the tight end duties are increased in CU's new offensive scheme. While the spring install will no doubt be basic, it should still provide a good indicator of what will be expected of the tight ends and how their contributions could increase in the fall.
The second part of that storyline will be to see who starts to emerge on the depth chart. Russell will no doubt compete for time, while Harris' aim will be to take advantage of his final year of eligibility in new surroundings.
FALL CAMP LOOK AHEAD: By the time the Buffs hit fall camp, they should have at least the basics of a depth chart, as well as a better idea of which players fit into the scheme in specific situations.
The goal will be to emerge from fall camp with tight ends who will be legitimate, consistent weapons in the passing game.
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.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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