Buffs Developing Depth On Defensive Edge
August 15, 2023 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — In 12 games last season, the Colorado Buffaloes totaled just nine quarterback sacks — six fewer than any other FBS team in the nation.
That is obviously a statistic that has to improve dramatically this year and after two weeks of fall camp, CU coaches like what they are seeing from their outside edge rushers.
"We're getting better," said Buffs defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Nick Williams after Tuesday's practice. "The communication has been better, the physicality has been better, our sense of urgency … just overall as a group we're getting better."
The job of getting to the quarterback is by no means the sole responsibility of defensive ends. The Buffs also need a push from their interior line and they have already shown a propensity for bringing pressure from safeties, cornerbacks and linebackers — in other words, just about every position on the field.
Still, pressure off the edge will be crucial and the Buffs appear ready to get that pressure by committee, with as many as five or six edge rushers putting themselves in the mix to get some playing time.
"We're gonna rotate," Williams said. "We're gonna get in great shape and be able to rotate in and out for four quarters. The guys know that and there's not one selfish guy. We're a brotherhood. We're together. We win together, we lose together … We're going to rotate and everyone's going to eat. Everyone."
The key, Williams said, is the "great shape" part. While the Buffs did have a solid strength and conditioning session this summer, he wants to see his group in even better condition.
For many, that has meant adjusting to Colorado's altitude. Almost every player in Williams' group is a newcomer and they all came from much lower altitude.
"This altitude … I'm from South Georgia. Why is it so hard to breathe?" he said with a smile. "We have to get in great shape. Then we can communicate and run to the ball to do the things that we are asking them to do. They got to get in great shape."
A number of players have had some solid moments in camp thus far as edge rushers/outside linebackers. That group includes transfers Jordan Domineck, Arden Walker, Khairi Manns, Sav'ell Smalls, Taijh Alston and Derrick McLendon, as well as incoming freshman Taje McCoy.
Walker, the son of former Buffs standout Arthur Walker and a Cherry Creek High School grad, transferred in from Missouri. He has been getting more and more time recently with the No. 1 group, showing an ability to play the run, rush the passer and also drop back into coverage. Manns, a transfer from Maine, has also displayed good versatility while Domineck has shown the ability to get to the quarterback on a consistent basis.
"Strength in numbers, that's what we have," Williams said. "The guys understand that if we're going to rotate it, we're all going to make plays and we're going to do it together."
TUESDAY PRACTICE REPORT: Defensive lineman Leonard Payne Jr., a 6-3, 300-pound transfer from Fresno State, put himself in the middle of some plays Tuesday … Also making some plays was Ole Miss defensive end transfer J.J. Hawkins … Freshman safety Jaden Milliner-Jones had a sack against the No. 1 offense …
Offensively, wide receiver Xavier Weaver had a big day, making a catch over the middle for a 20-yard gain, then gathering in a short pass from Shedeur Sanders and turning it into a long gain … Freshman RB Dylan Edwards picked up some big yards after a catch … Wide receiver Javon Antonio went up in the air and high-pointed a deep ball for a big gain.
