With Added Weight, Muscle, Buffs Tackle Sherman Ready To Take Step Forward
March 23, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Early last season, Colorado tackle William Sherman came to a realization: he needed to put on some weight if he was going to be an effective part of Colorado's offensive line.
Listed at 290 pounds when the season began, Sherman's weight was actually closer to the 280 range. But as the season wore on, he was actually able to add a little weight — and when it concluded, he got serious about putting on some extra bulk.
Now, thanks to a change in his diet, an assist from CU graduate assistant Jack Harris, and CU's strength and conditioning program, he's hovering around the 310 mark. The additional muscle hasn't hurt his athleticism and quickness, and as he enters his sophomore year, he is in position to become a quality Pac-12 tackle.
"Nebraska you kind of saw it a little bit, and USC," Sherman said of the moments when he knew he had to get bigger. "I just talked to Drew (Wilson, CU strength coach). If we're going to win big games — USC, Washington, Utah — I'm going to need to get bigger."
Wilson and his staff did their part, helping Sherman add muscle and bulk during CU's nine-week strength program.
But Sherman had another resource that proved to be equally valuable — grad assistant Harris, a former Buffs offensive lineman.
During his time at Colorado, Harris played alongside such CU stalwarts as Nate Solder, David Bakhtiari and Daniel Munyer — all now NFL players. Harris remembered when Bakhtiari was an undersized tackle at Colorado, and how he put on some much-needed weight. Bakhtiari, Harris said, began drinking extra protein shakes every day. That did the trick, and Bakhtiari is now a star tackle for the Green Bay Packers.
Harris suggested Sherman follow a similar regimen.
"Having Jack around has really been great because he's someone who can feed us advice," Sherman said with a laugh. "Every single day, it's 'Will, get two shakes.' And it's definitely helped. That was the start of me gaining weight. Once I started to drink those protein shakes with ease, I was able to just put more food in the tank and I was able to add some muscle."
Sherman has always possessed the footwork and all-around athleticism to be a quality tackle. But now, with the extra muscle and weight, he believes he will be ready to take his game to another level. A key will be keeping his stamina up with the increased weight.
"Run blocking is so much easier," he said. "My run blocking has improved, but also putting on weight, you get a little bigger, you get fatigued faster. I have to be able to push through pass sets in two-minute, things like that."
Sherman and his O-line cohorts are working with a new position coach, Chris Kapilovic, who came to Boulder with new head coach Mel Tucker. Sherman said Kapilovic, a veteran O-line boss, has given the unit a boost.
"Great coach, high intensity, high velocity," Sherman said. "He's like a pro-style coach. If we mess up, he's going to let us know and he's not going to be easy on us. He's a great coach. I see a lot of improvements already just three days into spring."
Sherman started the last nine games of the 2018 season at left tackle, and he is playing there this spring. But with Oklahoma State grad transfer Arlington Hambright scheduled to be on campus in the summer, Sherman could make the move to the right side. Hambright has played on the left side his entire career, including five starts for OSU last season.
But CU coaches also say Sherman's natural position might be the right side — and his excellent footwork and agility could help him make the move if need be.
Sherman, though, said the position isn't important. The only thing that matters, he said, is getting the Buffs back on the winning track.
"I don't care, I just want to win," Sherman said. "If coach sees me winning at right tackle, right guard, center, whatever — I'll be there. Left tackle, that's where I'm at right now. I'm trying to execute that now and be great."
SCHEDULE: The Buffs will take next week off for spring break, then return to spring practice on April 1. With 12 practices remaining, they will practice three times a week throughout the month, then play their spring game April 27.
But, while it is spring break, a number of Colorado players have already said they plan to stay on campus next week and get in some extra work.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Â
