Buffs Fall Camp Position Preview: Tight Ends Will Add Key Element To Run, Pass Attacks

BOULDER — When the Colorado Buffaloes kick off their season Aug. 30 in Denver against Colorado State, one of the more noticeable changes of the Mel Tucker era should quickly become evident.

Welcome back to the offense, tight end. A position that was once a staple of Buffs football only to become a virtual afterthought in recent years will once again be an integral part of the CU attack.

Since the day he took the CU job, Tucker has made it clear he wants to use a tight end — or two — on a regular basis.

The good news is that even though the Buffs had used the tight end sparingly over the last couple of years, there were some quality players already on the roster. Tucker then added to the position in recruiting by bringing grad transfer Jalen Harris to CU from Auburn and moving former running back Beau Bisharat to the spot in spring ball.

Now, it is a position that boasts plenty of talent, experience and depth — and one that will utilize that talent.

"I would definitely say that the group has taken a step," Tucker said earlier this week. "We're going to use our tight ends and you see them in practice. First and foremost they have to do a great job blocking for us. In the passing game we target all of our tight ends. … We're going to have three or four guys that we can use in the run game and in the pass game. I'm happy with that position."

Notice Tucker's emphasis on the run game. Along with promising to use the tight end more when he arrived, Tucker also vowed to "run the ball on our terms."

The two go hand-in-hand. When the Buffs can line up one or two 250-pounders either next to the tackle or just behind, it means another critical blocker available in the run game. When those players are also capable receivers, it adds another element to the offense.

Thus far in fall camp, Harris (6-4, 255) and sophomore Brady Russell (6-3, 255) have been getting the majority of snaps with the No. 1 offense. Both offer a big body in the run game and both are also capable receivers. Also having a good camp has been senior Darrion Jones, another big target for quarterbacks (6-6, 255) who has significantly improved his receiving ability. Bisharat, a senior, has also had his moments, as has sophomore Jared Poplawski.

"They all have a little different skill set," said tight ends coach Al Pupunu. "Some guys are good run blockers, some guys are good pass catchers and one or two who can do both. But they're all getting better."

Pupunu, who had a long NFL career as a tight end before turning his hand to coaching, was hired by Tucker to turn CU's tight ends into a viable weapon.

"Coach Pupunu has done a great job," Tucker said. "He's a guy who's been there, done that. He played nine years in the NFL. He knows what it takes and he knows how to coach the details of the position in the run game and the passing game. Our guys should thrive in our system."

Thus far, Pupunu likes what he sees from his group. They are steadily improving their receiving and route-running skills, and are becoming much more reliable in the run game.

"They have absolutely improved," Pupunu said. "We have to continue to get better every day, but from spring ball to summer ball to now, it has definitely improved. We're trying to get as many people as many reps as we can because you never know when you'll need somebody to step up. But as a group, they've worked hard and gotten better. Now we just have to keep improving."

WHO'S BACK: Seniors Darrion Jones, Beau Bisharat; Sophomores Brady Russell, Jared Poplawski; Redshirt freshman C.J. Schmanski.

WHO'S NEW: Grad transfer Jalen Harris (Auburn); Sophomore transfer Legend Brumbaugh (Maryland); JC transfer Luke Stillwell.

WHAT'S IN STORE: While tight ends are eligible receivers, their No. 1 role will be to help improve the run game. Tucker wants a balanced offense, which means picking up consistent yards on first and second down on the ground — and he wants tight ends who can successfully engage an offensive lineman or linebacker in that regard. But they will also be used regularly as receivers. They present a big target for CU's quarterbacks and can be mismatches both outside against smaller DBs and inside against slower linebackers. It will no doubt be an interesting element to CU's offense.

STAT TO REMEMBER: CU's tight ends caught six passes in 12 games last year, with five going to Russell. It won't be a surprise to see that number surpassed in the first one or two games.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu