Colorado University Athletics
Buffs DB Stoutmire Shows Versatility, Production
September 19, 2024 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado sophomore Carter Stoutmire is a testament to the improved depth of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes.
Stoutmire, a sophomore, played in nine games for the Buffs last season at cornerback, including one start against Arizona State.
But this year, he made the switch to safety and he's stepped in with back-to-back solid performances, including a start against Colorado State after starter Shilo Sanders went down with an injury early in the Nebraska game.
He will likely again be in the starting lineup Saturday when the Buffs play host to Baylor in a 6 p.m. Homecoming game at Folsom Field (Fox).
"Carter's big, physical and could play corner, could play safety," Coach Prime said after the Nebraska game. "He's the future, a kid that we went and got out of high school and he's been doing a wonderful job."
The 5-11, 205-pound Stoutmire is the son of former NFL player Omar Stoutmire, who played with Sanders with the Dallas Cowboys. He was part of Sanders' first high school recruiting class at CU and his versatility has made him a valuable piece of Colorado's secondary.
"I like being versatile," Stoutmire said. "Corner is fun, but safety, it's different. You see the whole picture. You see the whole thing. … You're not used to being in a box as much and seeing all that action. So it's really, it's a big adjustment but it's, it's been fun."
While he didn't get the start at Nebraska, he ended up playing 60 snaps against the Huskers and finished with five tackles. In last weekend's 28-9 win over Colorado State, he recorded five tackles again while also posting a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
Stoutmire missed spring ball because of an injury but came back quickly over the summer and has become an integral piece of Colorado's much-improved defense. He's especially enjoying playing under new CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston.
Livingston has made a quick impression on all of CU's defense, particularly the secondary. After a host of CU players had to run "gassers" this week for taking part in a celebration that resulted in a penalty against the Buffs in their win over CSU, Livingston ran with the players.
"That was really cool," Stoutmire said with a grin.
Now Stoutmire is doing everything possible to earn as much playing time as possible while learning everything he can along the way. There's no timeline yet for Shilo's return but until then, Stoutmire believes he can continue to be a solid contributor.
"When Shilo went down, I was like, 'This is my time,'" Stoutmire said. "I just couldn't mess up my moment."
BUFFS BITS: Colorado freshman tackle Jordan Seaton had the highest pass blocking grade of all true freshmen in the nation last week, according to Pro Football Focus. "Jordan is coming slowly but surely," Coach Prime said "He's understanding that footwork and technique is everything, because at this level, you can't overpower, out-muscle or out-athletic others. He's doing a great job of listening to some of the best teachers that I've seen in quite a long time. I love where Jordan is mentally and physically."
After not forcing a turnover in the first two games of the season, CU's defense is now tied for third in the nation with four takeaways … CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders has 999 passing yards this season as well as 999 career completions … Travis Hunter, who was last week's Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after his key interception against CSU, currently sits second in the nation in both receptions (30) and receiving touchdowns (5). He's also 10th in the country and third in the Big 12 in receiving yards (342).
