Colorado University Athletics
Colorado DC Kelly Looking For Versatile Buffs
March 20, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Charles Kelly has a big job.
Kelly is the Colorado Buffaloes' defensive coordinator, the man hired by head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders to rebuild a CU defense that was at or near the bottom of the nation in just about every key defensive category a year ago.
The good news is the Buffs brought in a host of new players in the offseason, many via the transfer portal, meaning they have some collegiate experience in their background. Colorado also has a decent core of returning players, including several who logged significant playing time last season.
But now, Kelly has 15 spring practices, a summer session and a fall camp to install his scheme, rebuild a culture and put together a group that will face some of the nation's most productive offenses in the first five games of the season.
The situation demands that Kelly and his defensive assistants must evaluate and develop at a rapid pace — while at the same time, implementing and installing a system that is new to nearly every player on the roster.
Thus, it is no surprise that after two spring practices, Kelly was hesitant Monday to make any rash judgments about his group's progress.
"We have some guys that have come in here that have boosted the athleticism," Kelly said. "But one thing you're doing in any organization, you're always evaluating, you're always recruiting and you're always developing … Sometimes guys look good when they're running around in shorts. And now all of a sudden, you put the pads on and somebody else looks better. So you don't want to jump to conclusions. And I've learned a long time ago, you only make decisions based on the information you have."
But one thing that has grabbed Kelly's attention in a hurry is the pace of practice. Sanders has implemented a rapid-fire approach to CU's workouts so there is no time wasted — anywhere or by anyone.
"I really like the way Coach Prime has things set up," Kelly said. "I like the intensity, playing fast on both sides of the ball. Our offense is gonna be a fast-tempo team and that gives us a lot of advantages practicing against that. We've got to be a fast defense."
Kelly's main priority this spring will be finding players who can fit the system and are able to adapt to the vast variety of offenses the Buffs will face next fall.
"We're moving some guys around at different positions, especially in the secondary, to see what they can do, what they can handle, how much they can process," Kelly said. "Some of the guys up front, we're moving those … But right now, we're just implementing every day. We're adding new things because we have to see not only how people play but how they learn, how they can process. You're gonna play people that do different things every week so your scheme has to be a little bit different. We have to be able to find people that can adapt to those situations."
Kelly was also hesitant to single out any players who have "flashed" after just two practices.
But it's no secret the Buffs love what they have in Jackson State transfer cornerback Travis Hunter — a two-way player who is getting early work with the offense as a wide receiver.
Kelly is no stranger to Hunter, who was recruited by some of the nation's top programs — including Alabama, where Kelly worked for the last several seasons.
"Travis is an elite talent and everything I've seen so far is he's working extremely hard," Kelly said. "Is there anything he can't do? No. I wouldn't say there's anything he can't do. I think it just depends on what we're asking him to do, and making sure you know that he's full speed in everything that we ask him to do."
But while Kelly wasn't anxious to single out any defensive players this early, there was one player on offense he said is hard to miss.
"I noticed (quarterback) Shedeur (Sanders) on offense," Kelly said. "Just being a defensive guy, he flashes to me because I've been around some really good quarterbacks in the last 10 years. And he flashes."
Players Mentioned
