Colorado University Athletics
Niblett Settling Into Role Leading Colorado Tight Ends
March 13, 2026 | Football
Colorado Completes Second Week of Spring Practice Before Spring Break
BOULDER — Colorado completed its second week of spring football Friday, closing the first portion of the Buffaloes' spring schedule with a scrimmage, before the team breaks for spring break.
The early practices have focused on installation, evaluation and building chemistry as head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders and his staff continue shaping the roster heading into the upcoming season.
One of the newest additions to the Colorado staff is tight ends coach Josh Niblett, who joined the program after a long and successful run as a high school head coach in the South.
For Niblett, the opportunity to coach in Boulder represents both a new challenge and a chance to continue impacting players through the game.
"To God be the glory," Niblett said. "Just having the opportunity at a different level to impact people; That's why I wake up every day, to find ways to impact through the game of football."
Tight Ends in the Go-Go Offense
Colorado's offensive scheme is built around spacing, leverage and creating favorable matchups for skill players.
Niblett said the structure of the offense allows the tight end position to move across the formation and attack defenses in multiple ways.
"It's about space, leverage and matchups," Niblett said. "This offense creates space and it creates matchups. That's what makes it challenging for defenses."
Because of that flexibility, tight ends must be able to line up in several roles within the offense.
"In this offense you've got to have a good skill set," Niblett said. "You've got to be able to split out and run routes, win one on one matchups, but also play in the core and block."
Senior tight end Zack Atkins said the system has allowed the room to expand its role within the offense.
"It's every pass catching tight end's dream," Atkins said. "I can line up at No. 1, in the slot or in the core. Having that ability in this offense is awesome."
Atkins added that his focus this spring is helping elevate the entire position group.
"My goal is to bring the other guys along with me," he said. "I want to grow the whole room."
A New Chapter in Coaching
Niblett said the move to the college level came after years of success in high school football, including time spent coaching his own sons. Although he had opportunities earlier in his career to move into the college ranks, the timing never felt right.
That changed when the opportunity to join Colorado's staff arrived.
"It's amazing what God will do when you're focused on where you are," Niblett said. "Sometimes you have to get comfortable in the uncomfortable and step out on faith."
After decades as a head coach, the move to a position role has required an adjustment, though Niblett said the focus remains the same.
"When you're a head coach you're used to seeing everything from 60,000 feet," he said. "Now you're looking at it from about 10,000 feet. But I see myself as the head coach of the tight end room. Those guys are my responsibility on and off the field."
Versatility in the Tight Ends Room
Niblett said the tight end position in Colorado's offense requires players who can contribute in multiple roles across the formation.
"You've got to be able to split out and run routes, win one-on-one matchups, but also play in the core and block," he said. "Your football IQ and your skill set both have to be high."
Niblett said developing that collective growth is the priority for the group moving forward.
"We want to have all the tools in the toolbox," he said. "Play on the perimeter, play in the core, be physical, but also be matchup problems for defenses."
Settling Into Boulder
Niblett said the transition to Colorado has been smooth as he and his family adjust to life in Boulder.
The longtime coach from the south joked that one of his first introductions to Colorado life came when it snowed shortly after he arrived.
"It did snow the first day I was here and I was excited about that," Niblett said. "Watching people drive through it like it's no big deal was something new. If we were in Georgia, everybody would stop their cars and just leave them there."
Despite the adjustment, Niblett said he has enjoyed the change of scenery.
"The landscape is beautiful and the people have been awesome," he said. "My family has come out a couple of times and they've been blown away by how beautiful it is here."
Next Up
Colorado will return to the field after spring break to resume spring practice as the Buffaloes continue preparing for the annual Black and Gold Day spring game April 11.
The remaining practices will focus on refining schemes, building depth and continuing to establish the identity Coach Prime expects from the Buffaloes in the 2026 season.
Fans wanting to get a first glimpse of the 2026 Colorado Buffaloes football team can claim tickets now for the annual AT&T Black & Gold Day.
Football season tickets are on sale now and fans are encouraged to lock in their seats for six exciting games at iconic Folsom Field this fall. Be a part of the pageantry and excitement of one of the most unique college football atmospheres in the country by getting your tickets today!
The early practices have focused on installation, evaluation and building chemistry as head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders and his staff continue shaping the roster heading into the upcoming season.
One of the newest additions to the Colorado staff is tight ends coach Josh Niblett, who joined the program after a long and successful run as a high school head coach in the South.
For Niblett, the opportunity to coach in Boulder represents both a new challenge and a chance to continue impacting players through the game.
"To God be the glory," Niblett said. "Just having the opportunity at a different level to impact people; That's why I wake up every day, to find ways to impact through the game of football."
Tight Ends in the Go-Go Offense
Colorado's offensive scheme is built around spacing, leverage and creating favorable matchups for skill players.
Niblett said the structure of the offense allows the tight end position to move across the formation and attack defenses in multiple ways.
"It's about space, leverage and matchups," Niblett said. "This offense creates space and it creates matchups. That's what makes it challenging for defenses."
Because of that flexibility, tight ends must be able to line up in several roles within the offense.
"In this offense you've got to have a good skill set," Niblett said. "You've got to be able to split out and run routes, win one on one matchups, but also play in the core and block."
Senior tight end Zack Atkins said the system has allowed the room to expand its role within the offense.
"It's every pass catching tight end's dream," Atkins said. "I can line up at No. 1, in the slot or in the core. Having that ability in this offense is awesome."
Atkins added that his focus this spring is helping elevate the entire position group.
"My goal is to bring the other guys along with me," he said. "I want to grow the whole room."
A New Chapter in Coaching
Niblett said the move to the college level came after years of success in high school football, including time spent coaching his own sons. Although he had opportunities earlier in his career to move into the college ranks, the timing never felt right.
That changed when the opportunity to join Colorado's staff arrived.
"It's amazing what God will do when you're focused on where you are," Niblett said. "Sometimes you have to get comfortable in the uncomfortable and step out on faith."
After decades as a head coach, the move to a position role has required an adjustment, though Niblett said the focus remains the same.
"When you're a head coach you're used to seeing everything from 60,000 feet," he said. "Now you're looking at it from about 10,000 feet. But I see myself as the head coach of the tight end room. Those guys are my responsibility on and off the field."
Versatility in the Tight Ends Room
Niblett said the tight end position in Colorado's offense requires players who can contribute in multiple roles across the formation.
"You've got to be able to split out and run routes, win one-on-one matchups, but also play in the core and block," he said. "Your football IQ and your skill set both have to be high."
Niblett said developing that collective growth is the priority for the group moving forward.
"We want to have all the tools in the toolbox," he said. "Play on the perimeter, play in the core, be physical, but also be matchup problems for defenses."
Settling Into Boulder
Niblett said the transition to Colorado has been smooth as he and his family adjust to life in Boulder.
The longtime coach from the south joked that one of his first introductions to Colorado life came when it snowed shortly after he arrived.
"It did snow the first day I was here and I was excited about that," Niblett said. "Watching people drive through it like it's no big deal was something new. If we were in Georgia, everybody would stop their cars and just leave them there."
Despite the adjustment, Niblett said he has enjoyed the change of scenery.
"The landscape is beautiful and the people have been awesome," he said. "My family has come out a couple of times and they've been blown away by how beautiful it is here."
Next Up
Colorado will return to the field after spring break to resume spring practice as the Buffaloes continue preparing for the annual Black and Gold Day spring game April 11.
The remaining practices will focus on refining schemes, building depth and continuing to establish the identity Coach Prime expects from the Buffaloes in the 2026 season.
Fans wanting to get a first glimpse of the 2026 Colorado Buffaloes football team can claim tickets now for the annual AT&T Black & Gold Day.
Football season tickets are on sale now and fans are encouraged to lock in their seats for six exciting games at iconic Folsom Field this fall. Be a part of the pageantry and excitement of one of the most unique college football atmospheres in the country by getting your tickets today!
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