Buffs Camp Position Preview: Inexperienced DBs Will Have To Grow Up Quickly
August 23, 2019 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When the Colorado Buffaloes opened fall camp, they had just one returning player with anything resembling significant experience.
In an era when many defenses play five — or more — defensive backs on a regular basis, it meant Buffs coaches had to put a premium on developing players in a hurry. It also resulted in head coach Mel Tucker moving three players from offense to the secondary in order to build some depth.
After three weeks, CU coaches believe they have made some strides in those areas.
"The progress they've made has been great," said cornerbacks coach Travares Tillman. "I came in not knowing their athletic abilities and how smart they were and they've proven to be a formidable group. They've taken the challenge to challenge each other. They've been great in the film room, they've studied their butts off and worked hard on the field."
While Tillman coaches corners and defensive coordinator Tyson Summers handles safeties, all of the defensive backs also get daily tutoring from Tucker, whose defensive back roots stretch all the way back to his playing days.
The only returning regular starter for the Buffs in the entire secondary is senior cornerback Delrick Abrams Jr., who also proved to be the steadiest and most dependable corner in camp. But the Buffs also picked up some experience in grad transfer Mikial Onu, who started in 20 games at SMU and has stepped into the No. 1 spot at free safety.
The other secondary spots were battles throughout camp. Junior Mekhi Blackmon finally won out at cornerback opposite Abrams, but sophomore Chris Miller — who started two games last season — also had a good camp and will no doubt see some playing time, especially when the Buffs drop into their nickel package.
Strong safety was another spot that featured a close battle. Junior Aaron Maddox finally emerged as the No. 1 at the spot, ahead of fellow junior Derrion Rakestraw.
Abrams, who started eight games last season, has emerged as a leader in the group.
"He's been great in our room," Tillman said. "He practices hard and all the other guys see that and they try to raise their level to that. He leads by example, but he'll step out of his shell once in a while and tell them, 'You've got to pick it up.'"
Blackmon, meanwhile, is displaying a big-play potential as well as the ability to play different positions in the secondary.
"He's had a great camp," Tillman said. "He's playing two positions (star back and corner), which is great in this defense. It's great when we have that kind of versatility."
One story that also developed in camp was the addition of players from the offensive side. Early in camp, true freshman Tarik Luckett made the move to corner from wide receiver, and one week later, redshirt freshman Dylan Thomas made a similar move.
Luckett has been impressive and is already listed at No. 3 at left corner, behind true freshman K.J. Trujillo.
Also impressive after making the move from quarterback to safety just this week has been junior Sam Noyer, who is No. 3 at strong safety.
"It adds to the competition," Tillman said. "If there's no competition, the person in front gets complacent. None of our guys have gotten complacent."
WHO'S BACK AT CORNER: Senior Delrick Abrams Jr.; Juniors Mekhi Blackmon, Uryan Hudson; Sophomore Chris Miller; Redshirt freshman Dylan Thomas (wide receiver last year).Â
WHO'S NEW AT CORNER: Â True freshmen D.J. Oats, Tarik Luckett, K.J. Trujillo.Â
WHO'S BACK AT SAFETY: Senior Lucas Cooper; Juniors Aaron Maddox, Derrion Rakestraw; Junior Trey Udoffia; Sophomores Isaiah Lewis, Curtis Appleton; Redshirt freshman Dustin Johnson.
WHO'S NEW AT SAFETY: Â Grad transfer Mikial Onu (SMU); Junior Sam Noyer (switched from quarterback); Sophomore Ryan Travis (transfer from Fort Lewis); Freshman Mark Perry.Â
WHAT'S IN STORE: This is a young group that will have to grow up in a hurry. Even Abrams — a senior starter — has just one year of Division I ball under his belt. There are some talented players, meaning inexperience could rear its head — but it is also a group that has the potential to improve.
STAT TO REMEMBER: Colorado's leader last year in interceptions was linebacker Nate Landman with two, while CU's defensive backs accounted for just four interceptions all season. That is a number that has to improve dramatically if the secondary is going to have a positive impact.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
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