Colorado University Athletics
Ethan Adkins Preseason Camp Diary
Ethan Adkins Preseason Camp Diary
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Freshman offensive lineman Ethan Adkins is a
August 21
Looking back at these last two weeks of camp and the scrimmages, I think things have been going great. Comparing the two scrimmages, I would say that our first one was the best, but we are getting better every day. Today we really started to implement the game plan for CSU and we have begun to watch film and get into the mind set for the game. We know that they are getting ready for the game, so we have to match the intensity that they are going to bring.
Yesterday was a fun day because we were allowed to swim at the CU Rec Center. There were a couple of guys who chose to do a belly flop competition?I did not. Shawn Daniels did and he got a welt on his chest and a few guys had some bad spills. The best was our assistant offensive line coach Brad Bedell, he did the most flops. Most of the guys who did it were pretty athletic when it came to diving.
The coaches just gave me redshirt status. Knowing that, I am going to focus more on my overall technique and strength. I’ll grow in my abilities so that I can improve the team and give my best work on scout team to help defense to develop. Offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus told the red-shirt linemen “Even though it’s a redshirt, it may seem like a year off, but don’t take like it is. Work hard to make (the coaches) think that you are going for starting position”. Now that’s good advice.
August 16
This week has gone well. We got to go do our team unity function on Tuesday and that was a nice day off. We went paintballing at this outdoor place in
Practice hasn’t been more laid back, but it seems like less of a grind now. The practices are still intense but we are backing off a little bit to get ready for game time.
The whole team went to the movies today at the brand new
The next couple of days we will install a couple new things, we will keep working hard and make sure we are having a good tempo and are finishing every play. I’ll check back in after our next scrimmage on Saturday, and hopefully we continue to make significant progress as our season gets closer.
August 11
On Friday our whole team was finally together for the first time after upperclassmen and newcomers were largely split up. We also were in full pads for the first time and we were able to get a little more physical. The first day we were a little rusty, but today we came out a little bit more prepared and we did a lot better.
I think the offense is coming along great. The older guys definitely know what they are doing and how to do it. They are just waiting for a couple young guys to step up and get to know what they’ve got to know. The coaches are certainly helpful from a learning standpoint, but watching the veterans do their thing can also be good for us.
My learning curve is going pretty steady. I don’t know the offense down pat yet but I know what to do on pretty much every play. I’ve just got to keep studying hard and get my head in the books.
We have another practice this afternoon to prepare for our scrimmage tomorrow, which I am really excited about. We will go through our typical pre-game routine tonight as if we had a game tomorrow. We have to wake up at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow and get prepared for the scrimmage at 10:00.
There will be more of a game-like environment in the scrimmage. The coaches are going to stand back a bit and just let us roll with it. It will be nice to get my first feel for being in Folsom Field with my pads on. I can’t wait to run out there and play in front of some fans. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see many of you out there tomorrow to support us!
August 7
After the second day of practice, there has been a quicker learning pace. My position coach, Jeff Grimes, expects us to know what we learned yesterday, and if you don’t, you’ll run for it.
On Sunday, I moved into the dorms. It was kind of tiring but I got it done. I had to rearrange the dorm rooms so that I could have my bed low to the ground so I don’t have to climb up on those beds, especially because I’m sore.
The camp schedule has been good. I eat breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and have practice from 9:15 until 12:00. Then in the afternoon, we lift as a team from 3:00 to 3:45 and then after that we basically have off until dinner and it’s nice to have that break.
When I have free time, which is not a lot, I just lay down in the lockerroom every chance I can. We got back to the dorms last night around 11:00 and I had to get up at 6:30 this morning so I am trying to find as much sleep as I can. I am excited to get into pads on Friday and get a chance to go full speed. Once we get the pads on, we can get some actual hitting and contact in. The chemistry in the offensive line is good. Most of us are freshman and the upperclassmen know that we are gunning for their spots. We are all tight as a group and I look forward to building more chemistry with them. Summer classes are going great. I only have couple more days left. I am in a public speaking class right now; I have to give my final speech and take the final and I’m done. I am studying as much as I can. I will continue to keep you all updated throughout the week. Thanks for reading.
August 6
The first day of practice was definitely more fast-paced than I was used to in high school. You have to know what you are doing or you’ll get pulled off the field.
My position coach, Jeff Grimes, is a cool guy. He is strict but he has that fun side to him. We make jokes during practice and meetings but when he says, ?It’s time to go,’ you best be ready to go.
The lockerrooms are by far the sweetest thing up here, man, they are nice. Even the bubble we are getting I think will be sweet but in the locker rooms we have all-wood lockers, locks and big CU logos in the carpet and in the ceiling.
I knew that coming to CU would be a big change for me, and it is. The fast-paced practices are something that I have to get used to and you have to know what you are doing all the time. One thing that I did not expect coming to CU was all the time spent with the team because when I was at my high school, there was a lot more individual time with my positions coaches and my groups.
Some things that I want to improve on are getting used to the speed and the strength. At the high school level, I didn’t see the kind of quickness and strength that I am practicing with today.
My goal is to get better out here every day, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how everything goes!