Woelk: 6 Takeaways From Tucker's First Buffs Fall Camp
August 15, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — With the Colorado Buffaloes having wrapped up their 12th practice of camp Wednesday, leaving 13 remaining until the Aug. 30 season opener with Colorado State in Denver, here are some midpoint takeaways on head coach Mel Tucker's first fall camp:
1. The Buffs will be a tougher team. Tucker has stressed a physical approach since the day he arrived. CU's head coach believes that physical and mental toughness go hand in hand, and he has made it a point of emphasis on a daily basis.Â
The change has been palpable in practice. The Buffs hit, they don't shy from contact anywhere on the field, and they have learned to play "to the echo of the whistle."
It is a cornerstone of Tucker's fourth quarter philosophy, and one that will pay dividends at some point in the season. As former CU head coach Gary Barnett, a regular at CU's fall camp workouts, said earlier this week: "If you're playing this team, you better bring your 'A' game, and you'd better not let up because this team will keep coming after you."
2. There is a wealth of playmakers on offense. When camp began, we knew the wide receivers group would be a talented, deep bunch. So far, they have not only lived up to those expectations, they may have exceeded them. Along with the three leading receivers from last season — Laviska Shenault Jr., K.D. Nixon and Tony Brown — the Buffs are getting standout efforts regularly from youngsters such as Daniel Arias, Dimitri Stanley, Maurice Bell and Jaylon Jackson.
But maybe one of the more pleasant surprises of camp has been the performance of a young running backs corps. With only one back — Alex Fontenot — with any college experience, this group may have been one of the biggest unknowns heading into camp. But since Day One, the backs have shown the ability to make big plays as well as pick up tough yards. While Fontenot might be overall the most consistent of the group in terms of checking all the boxes — pass protection, knowing the playbook, ball security and running ability — redshirt freshmen Deion Smith and Jarek Broussard and true freshman Jaren Mangham have all had outstanding moments.
Tucker has hinted he won't be afraid to go with a "stable" of backs, but it also won't be a surprise to see one or two separate themselves from the pack early in the season.
3. The Buffs are serious about their tight ends. This is a group that could actually fit under the previous category, as tight ends have become regular playmakers for the offense. But they also deserve their own category, simply because it is such a departure from the past.Â
Last season, CU's tight ends caught six passes in 12 games. That's a number that could be surpassed in one or two games this year.
The Buffs have talent at the position. Jalen Harris, Brady Russell, Darrion Jones, Beau Bisharat and Jared Poplawski are all capable receivers. But equally important is their role in the rushing attack. That extra big body on the field every play means more help opening holes for the run game. Tucker has expressed a strong desire to "run the ball on our terms," and the tight ends will be a big part of that.
 4. Young players are getting their chances and the best players will play. Tucker promised the Buffs a "clean slate" in spring ball, and he has lived up to that vow. It means returning vets have had to earn their reps in practice and newcomers have gotten the opportunity to show their stuff right away. Competition, at every position, has indeed been the name of the game.
The result? Plenty of youngsters have had their moments, and that's likely to continue as fall camp heads down the home stretch. The season opener could see a long list of newcomers making their Buffs debut, including more than a few true freshmen — and it won't just be meaningless minutes.Â
That development is crucial. Those meaningful snaps they are getting in camp will pay off not only this year, when depth becomes crucial later in the season, but for years to come. It's how you build a foundation, and Tucker is getting it done, piece by piece.Â
5. Two big question mark position groups that have quietly made strides. We'll start with the offensive line here, a bunch that had some returning vets but also some questions.
So far, O-line coach Chris Kapilovic has done a solid job in quickly building a sense of cohesiveness up front. A stickler for technique, Kapilovic is putting together a group that has steadily improved its run blocking while also taking a step up in pass protection. No doubt there is still plenty of work to be done, but so far, it is a group that appears to be responding well to Kapilovic's demanding style.
The second group is the secondary, which returned only one player with extensive experience, cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr. But it is also a group that has benefited greatly from the hands-on coaching from Tucker, who spends time every day working with corners and safeties. Throw in the fact that the DBs have the "luxury" of working against one of the nation's best receiving corps on a daily basis, and it is a solid recipe for improvement.
No doubt, it will be an inexperienced secondary that will make its share of mistakes. But it will also be a group that comes up with some big plays, and they will grow up in a hurry.
6. There is absolutely no doubt who is in charge. Tucker is one of those individuals whose mere presence commands attention. He brings discipline, organization and a sense of purpose to every minute of every practice — and everything is done for a reason. There is no music blaring in practice; hustle and hard work are non-negotiable; chaos and indecision are non-existent.
One of Tucker's favorite phrases is "confront and demand."
"When they're not doing it right, you confront, you demand, you teach and they can respect that," Tucker explained.
The players have indeed seemed to respond to Tucker's style. They know his background, they appreciate his championship pedigree and they respect his candid approach.
Not that Tucker is beyond flashing a smile, delivering a holler of approval or giving a slap on the back for a job well done. Each day after practice, he is frank in his assessment with his players, good or bad.
But the bottom line is the Buffs know who is in charge and it is something they welcome.
It is, quite clearly, a new era of Colorado football.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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