CU Practice Report: DB Blackmon Having Solid Camp, Buffs Don't Hit 'Wall'

BOULDER — Listed at 6-foot, 165 pounds, Colorado defensive back Mekhi Blackmon's rather slight build no doubt looks almost out of place on a college football field.

But the CU junior is quickly earning a reputation as being a player who can punch above his weight. The junior is getting significant reps in the secondary in fall camp, and will quite likely play a big role in the Buffs' defense when they open the season Aug. 30 against Colorado State in Denver (8 p.m., ESPN).

He has certainly done enough to catch the eye of head coach Mel Tucker, who works with the defensive backs on a daily basis.

"I really like his toughness," Tucker said with a smile after Wednesday's practice. "He is not the biggest guy, but he's a willing tackler, he's contact tough. He may be one of our most improved players from the spring."

Blackmon can play multiple positions in the secondary, lining up as a true corner as well as at the nickel and "star" spots. He has shown the ability to match up against CU's fleet corps of wide receivers in pass coverage and has made it clear he is willing to mix it up when defending the run.

"I don't fear anything," Blackmon said with a grin after Wednesday's practice. "It's where I come from, East Palo Alto, Calif. You have no other choice but to stick up for yourself when you grow up there."

Blackmon transferred to Boulder in 2018 after a year at College of San Mateo. He played in eight games for the Buffs last year, including three starts at cornerback in the final four games. He finished with nine tackles, three pass breakups and two third-down stops.

Blackmon then had a good spring under the new staff, recording a pair of interceptions in scrimmages that included one for a score. But he has taken his game up a notch in fall camp and is no doubt a candidate for a starting spot.

"He's one of those guys who's really fun to coach," Tucker said. "He asks a lot of questions. He's got a lot of confidence and I challenge him and we challenge him every play, every day. He's responded so far. He keeps getting back in the fight. I have a lot of respect for him."

Blackmon no doubt likes the help the DBs get from Tucker on a regular basis.

"He knows what he's talking about," Blackmon said. "We have a person who's been doing it such a long time and it's valuable. He teaches us a lot every day."

Another great learning tool for CU's secondary is the chance to play against CU's talented receiving corps on a daily basis. That, Blackmon said, is preparing them for any team they might face.

"It just gives us a chance to get better every play," he said. "We get better conditioned and we see great receivers. It's only going to make us better."

NO 'WALL' FOR BUFFS: Wednesday's practice was the sixth of camp and third in a row for the Buffs.

"I thought possibly the guys might hit the wall today," Tucker said after the morning workout. "My experience is this might be one of those type of days."

But instead of waiting for it to occur, Tucker addressed the potential issue in Tuesday night's meetings, and again Wednesday morning.

"We talked about having the 'poor me's,'" Tucker said. "Guys get up and say, 'I'm a little sore coach, my coach doesn't like me, coach is always yelling at me, it's too hot.'"

The result, Tucker said, was a solid practice.

"Guys really pushed through today," he said. "It was an enthusiastic practice. Guys were into it, they were physical, guys ran around, we were on time."

It was also a competitive practice, with the defense responding to a sub-par day Tuesday with a much better effort.

"It was very competitive," Tucker said. "It went back and forth today. That was good to see. Our guys are competitors. They have pride. But it really comes down to technique and fundamentals and execution, along with the 'want to.' Our want-to factor on both sides of the ball is high. I thought the defense did respond and it's important to them. I expect it to be back and forth every day, that's what we want."

PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs were back in shells Wednesday, one day after their first full-pads practice of camp … Sophomore Alex Fontenot broke his second long run up the middle in as many days early in team drills … Tight end Jalen Harris made a nice back-shoulder grab in 7-on-7 work … True freshmen Austin Williams, Jayden Simon and Na'im Rodman are getting work together on the defensive line as the Buffs continue to work on depth there …

Cornerback Chris Miller made a nice break on a pass across the middle to pick off a pass against the No. 1 offense ... But two plays later, quarterback Steven Montez bounced back with a perfectly timed deep ball to Laviska Shenault Jr. for a touchdown, earning the praise of Tucker after practice. "I thought he threw some beautiful deep balls today," Tucker said. "I love to see him spin that rock the way he does." …

The Buffs continue to rotate the left side of their No. 1 offensive line, giving guard Casey Roddick and Frank Fillip time along with Kary Kutsch and Arlington Hambright. Fillip, who has added about 25 pounds to his frame since spring ball, has been impressive while Roddick also looks solid, especially in the run game … Earning praise from Tucker was wideout Daniel Arias, who "makes plays every day."

SCHEDULE: The Buffs will be back in full pads Thursday for their seventh practice of camp and return to shells on Friday. Saturday, they will conduct their first scrimmage of camp Saturday (closed to the public) with referees scheduled to be on hand. The Buffs had the men in striped shirts at Tuesday's full-pads workout as well.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu