Colorado University Athletics
Newcomers Could Play Significant Role In Tucker's Plan For Buffs
July 30, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — With players scheduled to officially report Wednesday and open fall camp Thursday with their first practice, it's safe to say the Colorado Buffaloes are chomping at the bit to get their 2019 season in gear.
No doubt, Mel Tucker's first fall in Boulder will produce plenty of questions — and hopefully an equal number of answers — as camp unfolds. Position battles will be intense at numerous spots, leadership will be a key, developing depth will be a priority and physical football will be non-negotiable from Day One.
One of the things that will make this camp particularly interesting is the number of newcomers who could put themselves in the mix to become significant contributors right away.
The list could be a long one. Tucker's first recruiting class included six junior college transfers, each of whom could contribute immediately in one way or another. Tucker and his staff are also expecting a handful of high school recruits to compete for time right away, and the newcomers group also includes three graduate transfers who will be expected to make their marks in their final year of eligibility. Even if they don't earn starting spots, many of them will get special teams experience and will also provide some important depth, especially at positions where Tucker likes to keep fresh legs in the game.
No doubt, the list will be fluid as camp progresses. There will be some surprises (hopefully no disappointments), some early impressive efforts and some late runs. What follows is an early guess — by no means all-inclusive — at which players who have never played a down in a CU uniform could be in key roles when the Friday night lights go on Aug. 30 in Denver against Colorado State.
OT Arlington Hambright — This grad transfer from Oklahoma State could fill a big hole in the Buffs' offensive line. A five-game starter for OSU last year, he has been impressive in summer strength/conditioning and he and fellow tackle Will Sherman have spent plenty of extra time working together to improve their craft.
TE Jalen Harris — Another grad transfer (Auburn) who was recruited by Tucker to step in and bolster a position that will have much more emphasis in CU's new offense. Harris benefited greatly from spring ball and is expected to be a regular in CU's lineup.
S Mikial Onu — We'll continue with the grad transfer trend with a player who started 20 games at SMU at a position where the Buffs lost both 2018 starters to graduation. Onu will no doubt have a chance to fill one of those spots.
DT Jalen Sami — It has been nearly three years (Nov. 2, 2016, to be exact) since this redshirt freshman played in a football game. He has endured a redshirt season and an ACL injury but made the most of his time in strength and conditioning, and is now significantly slimmer, stronger and faster than when he arrived. Blessed with outstanding quickness and speed for a big man (6-6, 320 pounds), Sami could not only be a contributor right away, but could become a true force in the trenches before his career at CU is complete.
RBs Jaren Mangham and Deion Smith — Mangham, a true freshman who enrolled early and reaped the benefits of a spring on campus, steadily improved throughout spring ball, capped by an outstanding spring game that displayed his combination of power and speed. Smith, a redshirt freshman, also had his fair share of moments, showing excellent quickness and acceleration. They will be part of what will no doubt be a fierce RB battle that will likely see the Buffs emerge with two or three backs in a rotation (something Tucker has repeatedly said he will likely employ).
D-linemen Janaz Jordan and Lloyd Murray — Big. When Tucker announced his first recruiting class, he stressed that the Buffs pursued size, and he found it in Juco transfer Jordan (6-4 305) and true freshman Murray (6-2, 325). Both are summer arrivals, but will likely have the opportunity right away to vie for some playing time in the trenches and give the Buffs some much-needed depth up front.
S Mark Perry — Another true freshman who arrived in the summer but quickly turned heads in strength/conditioning. An excellent athlete with good size (6-2, 190), he will no doubt get his chance at earning some playing time right away.
LBs Jash Allen, Jamar Montgomery, Marvin Ham II — All three will compete for time inside alongside starter Nate Landman. Allen and Montgomery are JC transfers; Ham is a true freshman. All three arrived in the summer, but with the inside spot alongside Nate Landman wide open, they will get their chance to earn a look (as well as back up Landman). Tucker loves tough, physical inside 'backers and this trio fits the billl.
WR Vontae Shenault — A true freshman who finds himself at the deepest and most talented position group on the team — led by his brother Laviska — he will nevertheless get his chance to compete right away. Unlike last season, the Buffs likely won't be running many four-wide sets this year, but the new rule that allows a player to see action in four games and still redshirt means players like Vontae Shenault could no doubt see some action.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
