Buffs Fall Camp Preview: Position Battles On Offense Should Be Intense
July 17, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — There are some things about which we can be fairly certain when it comes to the Colorado Buffaloes' offense as we look ahead to the 2019 season.
For instance, it is a good bet that junior wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., a preseason All-American and All-Pac-12 selection, will draw double coverage from the time the Buffs begin their pregame warmups. We know quarterback Steven Montez — fourth on CU's all-time passing list and third in total offense — will quite likely add to those totals, and he has a good chance to move into second on the all-time passing chart.
But what we don't yet know is who the rest of the difference-makers will be. Those are the players who will step up and take advantage of the void created by the attention Shenault attracts, the players who will tote the rock as CU tries to establish a more balanced offense and — most importantly — the players who will provide the protection and open the holes up front so all those things can occur.
There are, of course, plenty of candidates for those jobs. The Buffs have potential at every position. But to turn that potential into production, those players will have to take their game to the next level and become every-down contributors. Those are the players head coach Mel Tucker and his staff will be looking to identify when fall camp opens with the first practice Aug. 1.
A quick look at some of the candidates:
Tight ends Jalen Harris, Brady Russell, Darrion Jones and Beau Bisharat — CU's renewed emphasis at the tight end spot has been well documented since Tucker's arrival, and it was evident in spring ball. A position that was utilized only sparingly the last few years in Boulder is now indeed an every-down spot, with the Buffs as often as not using two tight ends in their offensive sets.
Much has been made about how those TEs will be utilized in the passing game, and for good reason. They offer big targets who can provide mismatches against smaller or slower defenders.
But equally important will be their roles in the run game and pass protection. Tight ends mean an extra body — a big body — helping open holes for running backs, as well as adding extra protection in the passing game. They will be a big piece of the physical style of ball Tucker wants to play.
Harris (a grad transfer from Auburn), sophomore Russell and senior Jones are all big-bodied players who can run block, pass protect and also catch the ball. Bisharat, a converted running back, is the smallest of the bunch but he has excellent hands, good speed and is still physical enough to take on a linebacker or offensive lineman.
Russell and Bisharat are H-backs; Harris and Jones are more in the conventional in-line tight end mold. The likely scenario will see the Buffs utilize all of them in slightly different roles — but whoever proves to be the most consistent in all of the tasks required will get the starting nods when the lights go on Aug. 30 in Denver against Colorado State.
RBs Alex Fontenot, Deion Smith, Jaren Mangham, Jarek Broussard and Joe Davis — Inexperienced doesn't begin to fully describe this group. Figure this: the three players on CU's roster with the most career rushing yards are a quarterback (Montez), a tight end (Bisharat) and a wide receiver (Shenault). You have to get to fourth on the list to find a running back, a spot Fontenot holds down after carrying 11 times for 43 yards last fall.
After that, the rest of CU's running backs are freshmen or redshirt freshmen, meaning none of them have ever carried the ball in a college game.
That doesn't, however, mean there isn't talent in the bunch. There is speed, size, breakaway ability, quickness and power in the group. The question, of course, is which backs will separate themselves from the pack in fall camp.
Spring ball offered hints, but by no means any definitive answers. Mangham — who might have the best combination of speed, size and power of anyone in the bunch — and Davis had outstanding spring games, but each of the others also had their moments.
What we do know is that it will be one of the most competitive position battles in camp, and it's a fair bet the Buffs will utilize a couple of backs on a regular basis. Tucker wants to be able to pound opponents in the fourth quarter, and that means this year's rushing game could once again have a "committee" feel to it, at least until someone does establish themselves as the clear No. 1.
Wide receivers Tony Brown, K.D. Nixon and Dimitri Stanley — Shoot, while you're at it, throw Daniel Arias, Maurice Bell and Jaylon Jackson into the mix (never mind a host of talented newcomers).
If there is one spot the Buffs have depth, it is wideout. Phil Steele ranked CU's receiving corps No. 15 in the nation. The only question will be who takes best advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
Brown, a senior, is the "steady Eddy" of the bunch. He might not be flashy, but he consistently gets open and catches the ball when it comes his way. Nixon and Stanley have game-breaking ability, as does Jackson when healthy. Arias, who had an outstanding spring game, is a blossoming big target (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) with speed while Bell, who also had a great spring game, also has a knack for getting open.
As we mentioned earlier, Shenault will no doubt receive the lion's share of attention from opponents, at least early. That should open the door for the others. The question to be answered in camp is who will make the most of those opportunities on a consistent basis.
One other key for the receivers this year? The new staff has placed a much bigger emphasis on downfield blocking. If the ball doesn't go their way, CU's receivers are expected to knock somebody down to clear a path for whoever does have the ball. Tucker demands physical play from his team, and that includes his wideouts. Expect that to be a much-improved part of the CU receivers' games.
OT William Sherman — While there are lots of questions to be answered up front, we'll start with Sherman because he might be the man who makes the biggest difference this year.
For starters, Sherman is indeed bigger this year. Much bigger. Last season, he was listed at 290 pounds, a listing he admits was generous. This year, he is a legitimate 310 pounds and far more powerful. Sherman last season graded out as CU's highest-rated starter over the course of the season. If he takes a step to the next level this year, he could be the anchor the Buffs have been looking for.
OT Arlington Hambright — A grad transfer who started five games for Oklahoma State last year before being sidelined with an injury, Hambright will no doubt get every opportunity to win a starting spot. A left tackle at OSU, he could possibly move to the right side this year — but wherever he lines up, the Buffs are expecting the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder to add some punch. As one CU staffer said, they didn't bring him in for one year just to watch.
OC/OG Tim Lynott and Colby Pursell — Last year, Pursell started all 12 games at center while Lynott (a three-year starter) started nine at guard.
This year, the positions could be switched. Lynott spent almost the entire spring at center while Pursell played guard before missing the last part of the spring session with an injury.
Both will be keys this year. Pursell will be expected to make the big jump that coaches love to see after a freshman season. Lynott, a senior, wants to wrap up his Colorado career in style. If both have solid seasons, it will be a major boost where the Buffs offense needs it the most.
OL Kary Kutsch, Casey Roddick and Austin Johnson — While one guard spot is solid, the left side is up for grabs. Kutsch, a junior, has some experience and had a good spring. Roddick, a redshirt freshman, got some snaps with the No. 1 bunch in the spring as well while Johnson, a true freshman/early enrollee, also had his moments.
Each will get their chance to win the job, and CU coaches will be watching closely to see who separates themselves from the pack.
QBs Sam Noyer and Tyler Lytle — While Montez will head into camp as the clear No. 1, Noyer and Lytle made it clear in the spring game that they won't cede the spot quietly. Both had excellent days in the spring finale, particularly Noyer. At the very least, they will battle for the backup spot, a position that is vital to every team, and it will no doubt be an interesting competition to watch unfold.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
