Colorado University Athletics
Buffs RBs Bring Depth, Versatility
October 31, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Last season's Colorado Buffaloes' rushing attack consisted mainly of a steady dose of Alex Fontenot, an occasional shot of Jaren Mangham and a twist of Laviska Shenault Jr.Â
It won't be a surprise to see that equation change just a bit this year.
Yes, Fontenot is back. The 6-foot, 205-pound junior, who ran for 874 yards and five touchdowns last season, is a year older, wiser and more in tune with the ways of the Pac-12. Also returning is Mangham, who had 441 yards and three touchdowns last season as a true freshman.
But assistant coach Darian Hagan's running backs room also includes several other strong candidates for playing time, a group that gives the Buffs a diverse array of talents and strengths. It means that depending on the situation, Colorado could throw a mix of weapons at opponents in Karl Dorrell's first year at the Buffs' helm.
"I'm comfortable with everybody playing," Hagan said when asked about how he sees a rotation developing. "But some guy is going to be hot and you don't want to pull that guy out just to get a rotation. I would say at the max, I would say three (in a rotation) — but if we're rolling, I'm going to try to get them all in."
While Fontenot and Mangham are the most prominent returnees, another Buffs veteran, sophomore Jarek Broussard, has been a pleasant surprise in camp and will no doubt figure in the equation. Meanwhile, true freshmen Ashaad Clayton and Jayle Stacks have made their presence known, as has sophomore Joe Davis.
Broussard missed all of last season with a knee injury suffered in early September. But after a year of rehab and plenty of time in the weight room, he has inserted himself into the conversation of earning steady playing time — especially with the skill set the 5-9, 185-pounder brings to the table.
"He has come a long way," Hagan said. "He's playing with a lot of confidence, he knows exactly what he's doing and he brings a different element to the game. He's a jitterbug. He's a guy that can take it to the house, he can make guys miss in open field — that's the guy we've been missing. We've been missing a back like that. The last time we had a back like that, it was Rodney Stewart. He's comparable to Speedy. I like what he does."
The comparison to Stewart is heady praise, as the former Buff is still third on CU's all-time rushing list with 3,598 yards from 2008-2011. Such a threat would no doubt give the Buffs a versatile look in the backfield.
Clayton, though, might offer the most versatility from one player. The 6-0, 200-pounder was a prized recruit last year out of Louisiana, and he brings an excellent combination of speed, strength and size to the table. Maybe the biggest question is how quickly he can make the adjustment to the college game as a true freshman who didn't even have the benefit of a spring ball session.
"Ashaad is a big back and everything he does in the run game and in the pass game, he's a natural," Hagain said. "I tell him, 'I'm going to line you up, I'm going to get you started and I'm going to back off. You just go out there and be creative.' That's what he does. He's really special."
Stacks, meanwhile, gives the Buffs another element — a big back who can run with his pads low and also serve as a lead blocker if CU chooses to run out of a two-back set.
"He's done some really good things for us," Hagan said of the 5-11, 230-pound Cherry Creek product. "He's a bowling ball back there. We haven't had a really big, functional running back here in a long time. He's a guy that brings power. He makes guys want to get out of the way. Guys don't want to tackle him."
Hagan said he has shown Stacks film clips of former Houston Oilers great Earl Campbell, who had a habit of running over defenders. Since watching that clip, Hagan said, Stacks has been running with that same attitude.
Overall, it is a deep and talented group that Hagan says has the potential to be his best overall group yet in his time with the Buffs.
One positive that might be overlooked by casual fans?
Simply the continuity Hagan brings to the table. He is in his 10th year as the Buffs' running backs assistant, a tenure that has seen him work under four head coaches (five if you include a year as an offensive assistant under Gary Barnett). It is experience that has proven valuable in learning different styles and different systems, and through it, he has developed and refined his approach.Â
It is evidently a good one, as he has coached two of CU's top three all-time rushers (Stewart and Phillip Lindsay), and he played with No. 1 (Eric Bieniemy).
"I can coach these guys up," he said. "I can talk the game, I can teach them the game. That's what it's all about. If you can teach the game you can coach the game, but more importantly, you have to make sure these guys understand what you're trying to teach them. When you can teach them and they can retain it … and you watch then go out there and perform, then I've done my job."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
