Versatile Buffs TEs Could See Duties Increased
October 15, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It won't be a surprise to see Colorado's tight ends play a significant role in the Buffaloes' offense this year.
After all, CU assistant coach Taylor Embree has nine players in his room — meaning the Buffs have more tight ends than running backs (seven) on the roster.
But it's more than just strictly numbers. Embree has brought with him a belief that his players must be among the most versatile on the team, and the numbers in his room give him the opportunity to find players who can perform all the duties required.
"If you've got a good tight end, you see how impactful that is in the offense," Embree said after Thursday's practice. "Part of that is we're the jack of all trades — we have to pass protect, we have to block in the run game and we have to win on routes and catch the ball in the pass game … One thing I brought when I came here is my tight ends are going to be able to do it all. I think that's where the game's headed."
Embree has no shortage of candidates for such a position, beginning with returning starter Brady Russell. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Buffs junior caught 23 passes last year — the most by a tight end since Nick Kasa caught 25 in 2012 — and also played a big role in the run game and pass protection.
It is a role that could expand this year as the Buffs tweak their offense under new head coach Karl Dorrell, offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini and passing game coordinator Danny Langsdorf.
"Compared to last year I'd say we're being utilized in more unique ways," Russell said Thursday. "We were used a lot last year but it was repeating things a lot of the time. We have a lot of unique things we get to do now in terms of pulling, blocking on the edge, whatever it might be. We get to do a lot of different things."
Russell has the physical tools and mental makeup to perform all those duties. A former walk-on, he has blossomed into a standout at his position.
"He's what you want," Embree said. "He shows up to work every day. He can play anything he wants. He's good at the fullback-type stuff, he's good at route running, he's good at blocking on and off the line of scrimmage. He's exactly what you want in your room."
But Russell isn't the only tight end who can fit Embree's mold. CU added three transfers at the position in the offseason — Jake Peters (Arizona), Matt Lynch (grad transfer from UCLA) and Nick Fisher (grad transfer, William Jewel) — as well as highly touted recruits Caleb Fauria and Louis Passarello. Also returning from last year are Luke Stillwell (a transfer last season), Jared Poplawski and C.J. Schmanski.
Embree was actually familiar with Lynch before he took the job on Dorrell's staff. Embree helped recruit Lynch to UCLA when he served as a grad assistant there.
"I wish I had the opportunity to work with Matt for a few years," Embree said. "He's a good, solid tight end in both the run and pass game. He's got a lot of length. We're happy to have him. He's going to be playing a lot for us this year. He shows up and works. He's a blue-collar guy. He's strong at the point of attack and he's got some juice to him in the pass game."
The 6-5, 255-pound Fisher, meanwhile, could add some beef to the Buffs' run blocking scheme while the 6-4, 220 pound Stillwell — a former quarterback — is showing a knack in camp for getting open in the pass game.
"Nick Fisher has really come along," Embree said. "He's probably the biggest body we have in our room. He'll help us get movement at the point of attack … (Stillwell) is starting to catch the ball really well, doing some wrinkles in his routes that's helping him get open. When we get rolling, he'll be a mismatch for the defense."
Overall, Embree said, "They all work hard, they show up, they're smart guys and I'm glad I've got 'em."
PRACTICE NOTES: The Buffs returned to the field Thursday after a day off Wednesday, and Dorrell said he continued to be pleased with what he's seeing.
One group that he said has taken a nice jump since camp began a week ago is his cornerbacks. After admonishing them early for not being aggressive enough, they have answered the challenge over the last couple of days.
"I am really excited about our corners," he said. "They're very active. They're doing a great job of doing their roles, particularly in the run game. They understand how to fit with the tackling system in terms of pursuit, things like that. I think the nature of what they're doing from a defensive standpoint is a much more collective, positive look that the whole defense has in pursuit of taking the right angles to the ball carriers."
Dorrell said junior Mekhi Blackmon, who started two games last year and played in four before being sidelined by an injury, is "playing like a veteran." He also said sophomores K.J. Trujillo and Tarik Luckett, who players who stepped into starting roles at the end of last season, have taken solid steps forward; while true freshman Christian Gonzalez and Jaylen Striker and transfer Nigel Bethel Jr. have also had their moments in camp thus far.
"All those guys are doing some nice things," he said. "We're creating some depth and they are understanding their roles and responsibilities much better."
SATURDAY SCRIMMAGE: Dorrell said Saturday's first scrimmage of camp is going to be "the full gamut." He said the Buffs will run approximately 90 to 100 plays from scrimmage and also get in some special teams work.
With a compact camp schedule, there's no doubt the scrimmages will be ultra-critical in helping coaches sort out some of the key position battles.
"It's going to be everything," he said. "It will be a long day but it's one of those days that's needed."
STAYING HEALTHY: Dorrell said the Buffs have had "no positives" in their daily coronavirus testing, and injuries have been thus far limited to the "normal" bumps and bruises associated with training camp.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Â
Â
Â
