Buffs D-Line Coach Wilson Takes Aim At Building Quality Depth

BOULDER — As most folks who follow the game are well-aware, football starts in the trenches.

Colorado Buffaloes defensive line coach Chris Wilson has a pretty good start in that regard.

Wilson, who joined new head coach Karl Dorrell last spring for his second tour of duty with the Buffaloes, inherited a group that returns all three starters from last season. That's enough to put a smile on any position coach's face.

But Wilson also inherited a healthy list of returnees who received some significant snaps last year in backup roles. That will be a key in building depth up front, something Wilson sees as critical if the Buffs' defense is going to take a step forward this season.

"I like to be like the Chinese army — I want to be a billion strong," Wilson said after Saturday morning's practice, the Buffs' second of training camp. "I want as many good players as I can get to come in and play. You do that by creating depth and developing the bottom part of your roster. The more guys we can play at a high level, the more competitive we become and the faster we play."

Wilson made it clear he doesn't have any starters yet — "I have a depth chart." But it won't be a surprise to Buffs fans to see senior Mustafa Johnson, junior Terrance Lang and sophomore Jalen Sami — each of whom started at least nine games last year — be cornerstones again this season.

This will no doubt be a big year for Johnson in many ways. An All-Pac-12 performer two years ago, the 6-2, 290-pounder was hampered by injuries last year and played in just nine games. But he still finished with 34 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and even with a seven-game schedule this season, he has much larger goals, including double-digit sacks and a shot at the single-season CU record for tackles for loss (24).

But perhaps even more importantly, Johnson must fill a role as a team leader. As one of just nine scholarship seniors on the roster, his duties in that regard will be critical in helping a young team through rough spots.

"We want to make sure people know where they're supposed to be, make sure they're technically sound, things like that," Johnson said. "You want to help people around you elevate their game."

Listed as a defensive tackle, Johnson can actually play all three spots — tackle, end and nose tackle — for the Buffs. Wilson compared Johnson's diversity to that of Philadelphia Eagles standout Brandon Graham, who Wilson coached when he was in Philly.

"I'm not saying he's Brandon Graham, but he's got that kind of diversity," Wilson said. "He can play end, he can play tackle and he can line up at the nose. He gives you a lot of position flexibility."

As for the other starters from last year, the Buffs are expecting big steps forward as well from Lang and Sami. Lang finished last season with 40 tackles and a team-high six sacks while Sami, who started 11 games as a redshirt freshman, had 25 tackles and a sack while proving to be a capable run stopper in the middle.

But Wilson wants far more than three dependable starters. He wants to develop a rotation that won't see a dropoff when the starters leave that field. That group includes a host of youngsters who saw some quality time last year, including nose tackles Janaz Jordan, Austin Williams and Lloyd Murray; tackles Jeremiah Doss and Na'im Rodman; and end Jayden Simon. Also likely to be a factor this year is JC transfer Justin Jackson.

Jordan, Rodman and Williams each played in all 12 games last season, with Rodman logging 314 defensive snaps. Doss and Murray also saw some quality snaps, and it's a group that should give Wilson a good start as he works on the depth aspect.

"The beauty of this group is everyone played some reps last year, which is kind of a bonus for us," Wilson said. "Those guys that have had the most reps, they understand the scheme … We're just trying to create as much competition as we can across the board. When you can develop two deep, three deep on your roster, that's when you become a really championship quality program. That's the process right now."

MILLER READY: After playing cornerback the last two years (his season was cut short last year by injury), Buffs sophomore Chris Miller is listed as No. 1 on CU's depth chart at the star position. He's also making sure he knows the safety spot, and he believes he could still fill in at corner if necessary.

But it is likely that he will see most of his time at the star spot, where he can put his physical talents to the most use. It is a position that requires a player to be able to play the run, drop into coverage and possess the mentality of a linebacker.

"It comes with a lot of responsibility," Miller said. "There's a lot of things you have to know, the ins and outs of everything, every adjustment. I think it's an opportunity to feel more responsibility."

SCHEDULE: The Buffs will be back on the field Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for practice, with Tuesday marking the first day in pads. They will then take Wednesday off before returning to work. The first scrimmage of camp is tentatively scheduled for next Saturday.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu