Buffs Linebackers Making Rapid Strides In Camp

BOULDER — Colorado linebackers coach Andre´ Hart admits he made life tough on Marvin Ham II in spring ball.

But Ham, one of the handful of returnees from last season on the Buffaloes' roster, wouldn't quit. He accepted the challenge, kept battling — and he may now be a starter when CU opens the season Sept. 2 at TCU.

"I tell Marvin all the time, I tried to get rid of him," Hart said Tuesday after Colorado's sixth practice of fall camp. "I did. I graded him every day, tough and hard. And he rose to the challenge. Kudos and hats off to him. He's one of my starters right now. If I had to go into a game right now, Marvin Ham from last year would be my mike linebacker now."

Ham, a fifth-year junior, has played in 29 games in his career in Boulder with five starts, 30 tackles (one for loss) and four third down stops. This year, he's made the move from the "sam" spot and has thus far thrived.

"It has clicked for him," Hart said. "He's playing a lot better. He's executed really, really well."

The 6-1, 225-pound Ham gives CU a physical presence inside, and thus far, he has paired well on the inside with transfers LaVonta Bentley (Clemson) and Demouy Kennedy (Alabama).

Bentley started camp running with the No. 1 unit alongside Ham, but has since been supplanted by Kennedy, whose speed gives him the ability to drop into coverage or play the run and rush the passer. Hart said when Bentley was pushed down to the No. 2 group, he responded.

"He had one of his best practices ever that day," Hart said. "We're just keeping the competition high and making sure no one gets comfortable. I think those are what we have to do because if you do it now and they get in game situations, they'll be better prepared for when things get difficult or uncomfortable. You got to move on the fly."

Another candidate for playing time inside is Jackson State transfer Jeremiah Brown, as well as Florida State transfer Brendan Gant, who has been hampered by injury thus far.

Overall, Hart said, his group and the rest of the defense have made solid strides in the first week of camp.

"As we've gotten further into camp, things are starting to get solid, guys are getting confident," Hart said. "We're moving a lot faster. We're catching up with the tempo of the offense. And it's getting real competitive out there now so we're happy to see it and put on a show."

PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs were in full pads Tuesday and got plenty of work in with the No. 1 offense, the No. 1 defense and the daily "tempo" session.

Wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter again provided one of the big plays of the day, this time on defense.

Hunter started the play covering the offensive wideout on the far side. But when the quarterback looked inside at what appeared to be an open slot receiver, Hunter broke just as the quarterback began to throw. His split-second break on the ball gave him just enough time to reach the seemingly open receiver and bat the ball down, just missing an interception in the process. …

Hunter, though, wasn't 100 percent perfect. He did give up a completion from Shedeur Sanders to Javon Antonio on a route across the middle. Hunter had good coverage on the play but Sanders threaded the needle and got the ball to Antonio for about a 12-yard gain.

Hunter, however, responded by blitzing off the corner on the next play and getting pressure on Sanders to force an incompletion …

Safety Trevor Woods noted after Tuesday's practice that the Charles Kelly's defense is dramatically different than last year's scheme. "It's more of like a 3-4 defense compared to a 4-3 kind of thing," Woods said. "A lot more moving parts and stunts. It's a lot different.

Kelly is no doubt doing his best to take advantage of the talent and speed Colorado has amassed on the back end.

"A lot of times we have three safeties on the field, sometimes even four," Woods said. "If you can play, coach is gonna put you on the field." …

As for other big plays Tuesday, backup quarterback Gavin Kuld had a nice scramble up the middle for big yards against the No. 1 defense … Freshman wide receiver Kaleb Mathis had a couple of nice catches … OLB Khairi Manns put some pressure on from the outside … ILB Demouy Kennedy had a tackle for loss in tempo drills … D-linemen Amari McNeill and Shane Cokes continue to show consistency inside … Converted wide receiver Michael Harrison is quickly becoming a very reliable receiver as a tight end.