Buffs Practice Report: Fillip Fitting In At Tackle; Tucker Starting To See 'Separation'

BOULDER — It may seem counter-intuitive, but it is the little things that make the biggest difference for some of the biggest players on a football team.

That, at least, is what Colorado tackle Frank Fillip is learning.

"I don't think a lot of people understand that offensive line isn't just about coming off as hard as you can and blowing up the person in front of you," Fillip said after Friday's practice. "It's all about things like angles and technique and hand placement. There's a lot of little things that go into it that a lot of people probably don't understand."

Fillip, however, is learning those things at a rapid pace under new Buffs offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic — and they are paying off. Fillip has been getting his fair share of snaps at left tackle with the No. 1 offense recently in fall camp, rotating with grad transfer Arlington Hambright.

"I'm not naturally the biggest guy," said Fillip. "To a normal person I'm big, but I'm not the biggest lineman out there. Getting technique down can really help and help you progress with the way the game is played."

Fillip — who had two starts last season before missing the final two games of the year with an injury — has made dramatic progress since spring ball both on the field and in the weight room. He has added roughly 30 pounds to his frame, and at 6-foot-7, there's room for more.

"It's been a good camp so far," Fillip said. "I'm learning a lot and I think I've made a lot of progress since the first day, both mentally and physically. Coach Kap's really helping me learn a lot of the small things that help you become a great offensive lineman. It's still going to take time for us to all get them down but he's really helping us progress through camp. He is transforming our O-line. He's a blessing for us."

One thing Fillip is learning rapidly is how to adjust to his added weight.

"Keeping your speed is hard but Coach Drew (Wilson) and the strength staff do a really good job helping in that area," Fillip said. "The weight definitely helps with power because you have more weight behind you. When someone tries to bull rush you, you can hold your ground better."

Fillip's time with the No. 1 offense means he gets to play against CU's top defensive linemen. That means tangling with some 300-pounders on a regular basis.

"I love playing with everyone on the line because we're all really close," he said. "But it is nice to go against the No. 1 defense because you get a better idea of what you'll be going against in an actual game."

SCRIMMAGE SET: Head coach Mel Tucker said after Friday's practice that he and his staff are starting to see a little "separation" when it comes to position battles.

"We had really good back and forth," Tucker said. "We're starting to see a little separation. It was very competitive. Very, very physical. Really no dropoff, but we are starting to see some guys who are embracing physicality. We don't want to leave anyone behind so we're going to need a little bit more encouragement, need to step it up. We're going to make sure we get that done with those guys because you're only as strong as your weakest link. We have to make sure we develop everybody."

That separation process will no doubt go up a notch or two when the Buffs conduct their first full scrimmage of camp Saturday morning on the lower practice fields.

"When we scrimmage, that has as much weight or more than the practices because it's live," Tucker said. "It's game-like. It's the closest we can get them to a game in a practice environment. It's really time to see who can get it done, who can produce, who can handle the pressure, who can carry the teaching and the coaching over into a live game-like situation."

PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs were in shells Friday, and got plenty of work in on red zone situations and run defense and offense … Freshman running back Jaren Mangham turned some heads when he bowled over a defensive back after breaking loose up the middle. … Junior wide receiver K.D. Nixon continues to make plays, making deep ball catches as well as receptions in traffic … Quarterback Tyler Lytle had some nice throws to the end zone in red zone work … Freshman defensive lineman Austin Williams took plenty of snaps with the No. 1 defense … Tight ends Darrion Jones and Beau Bisharat both had nice catches with extra yardage after the catch … Cornerback Chris Miller made a good play on a fade route to Laviska Shenault Jr. in the end zone …

With the entire team gathered around creating as much distraction as possible, junior kicker James Stefanou wrapped up the team drills session by knocking through a 49-yard field goal.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu