Buffs Fall Camp Preview: Defenders Who Could Find Next Level
July 16, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — As the opening of fall camp draws ever nearer for the Colorado Buffaloes (players are scheduled to report two weeks from Wednesday), there are some things of which we can be relatively sure in terms of personnel.
In other words, there are a handful of players on both sides of the ball who will be expected to be productive. They are the veteran, established starters coming off solid seasons. On defense, that list no doubt includes inside linebacker Nate Landman (last season's tackles leader) and defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson (last year's sacks leader), both of whom have been named to preseason All-Pac-12 first teams. The only surprise would be if they did not have excellent 2019 campaigns.
But Colorado's chances of success won't hinge on those players delivering as expected. Rather, the key will be the up-and-comers, the players who have flashed but not yet hit a steady level of consistency. If those players can take their game up a notch and become every-down contributors, they could be the difference makers in a tight game or two this fall — and thus be the difference between a postseason berth for the Buffs and another holiday season at home.
Today, we'll take a look at some of the defensive players who might fit into that category.
OLB Davion Taylor — At first glance, Taylor's name on this list might seem a little out of whack. The senior did, after all, record 75 tackles last year (third on the team) as well as a team-high 11 tackles for loss (not including sacks) and a pair of fumble recoveries.
But consistency was not Taylor's trademark, at least not early in the season. His five best games in terms of tackles — including two double-digit performances — came in the final six games.Â
To a degree, it's understandable. Taylor is still relatively new to the game. He did not play football in high school, and is thus still developing the instincts that have long been second nature to his teammates.Â
But he is also one of the most gifted athletes on the team, blessed with excellent speed and quickness, especially for his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame. That athleticism allowed him to overcome some mistakes and indecisiveness a year ago. This year, as the Buffs' "star" back (a linebacker/safety hybrid), he will need to reduce those mistakes and hone those instincts to another level. If he can do that, he will become a playmaker who could change a game or two in crunch time.
DE Terrance Lang — A physically gifted, talented player who showed flashes a year ago — six third-down stops and three pass breakups — the 6-7, 280-pound sophomore has the tools to be a force in the trenches. He can alter a passing lane with his length, has the strength and quickness to get to the quarterback (six QB pressures last year) and his run defense has steadily improved.
The latest bright spot? Lang has made significant strides in the weight room. After finding himself outmatched last year against some bigger, stronger Pac-12 O-linemen, he has put in the work. If it shows up this year on a consistent basis, Lang could be a big boost for the Buffs up front.
CB Chris Miller — Expected to be a regular last season, the sophomore corner was hampered by injuries and played in just five games.
But he is a talented and physical playmaker who could be a difference maker in coverage. If he stays healthy and can get back to speed in a hurry (he also missed spring ball), he could be a big help to a suddenly very inexperienced CU secondary.
OLBs Carson Wells and Nu'umoto Falo — A big, physical outside 'backer (6-4, 250), Wells saw considerable time last year, playing 399 snaps while appearing in all 12 games (six starts). The sophomore finished with 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a team-high 13 third-down stops, proving to be a capable pass rusher as well as a run stopper.
Wells is another player who has made good use of his time in the weight room. If he can add the next level of consistency to his game, he could be a solid performer for the Buffs in their base 3-4 lineup.
Falo also had his moments in the spring both in the run and pass game. A big, strong player with the ability to come off the edge and get to the quarterback as well as stop the run, consistency will be his make-or-break factor in fall camp.
ILBs Jonathan Van Diest, Akil Jones, Quinn Perry, Jash Allen, Marvin Ham II — What we know for sure is that someone has to step up and fill the shoes as Nate Landman's running mate inside this year. What we don't know is who it will be.
Van Diest and Jones both had their moments in spring ball; Perry and Allen (JC transfers) and Ham (a true freshman) have yet to put on pads as Buffs. This will be one of the most hotly contested battles in fall camp — and the winner will likely be the player who can prove consistency is his strength.
DL Jalen Sami, Janaz Jordan, Jeremiah Doss, Austin Wiliams — Along with Terrance Lang, the Buffs need some other players to step up alongside Mustafa Johnson.
Sami is a big (6-6, 320) redshirt freshman nose tackle with the temperament necessary to play inside. He had an excellent spring, enough so that Phil Steele gave him fourth-team preseason All-Pac-12 honors — despite not ever having played a down of college ball.
Doss, a JC transfer, also had his moments in the spring at defensive end as a pass rusher. Jordan, another JC transfer, is expected to figure into the equation right away inside while coaches already like what they see from Williams, a 6-5, 320-pound freshman. While it's rare for a true freshman to see much playing time in the trenches, Williams might be the exception to the rule.
Safeties Trey Udoffia, Isaiah Lewis, Aaron Maddox, Derrion Rakestraw, Mark Perry, Mikial Onu — Wide open is the only way to describe what the battle will be like for the safety spots in fall camp.
Udoffia, a converted corner, started slow in spring ball but picked up steam down the stretch. Rakestraw (a former wideout) played in seven games last year (262 snaps) while Maddox also appeared in seven games (108 snaps). Lewis, meanwhile, had a handful of plays on defense. All had good moments in the spring, but nobody jumped out on a steady basis.
That means the door will be open for true freshman Perry and grad transfer Onu when camp opens. Perry is an excellent athlete who will give the veterans a run for their money from day one; Onu, a grad transfer from SMU, started 20 games in his career there.
If CU coaches can find two or three steady, consistent performers in the bunch, it will be a big boost for the back end of the defense.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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