Colorado University Athletics

Joe Sanders Preseason Camp Diary

Joe Sanders Preseason Camp Diary

 

Senior tight end Joe Sanders was recruited to Colorado at his current position out of Nashville, Tenn., but after spending his first three years practicing at linebacker he is back catching passes for the Buffs. Named the Iron Buffalo Award winner for the tight ends in the spring, Sanders is poised for a breakout year as he tries to vault the Buffs’ passing attack.

August 20

This past week of camp has gone really well. After two weeks of training camp everything seems to be falling into place. We have been working really hard to improve and it has shown in our latest scrimmage. These two scrimmages have been a great experience and I have seen the progress of all my teammates.   

 

To keep the strain off my body, I have really been working hard to take care of it. Just as most of my teammates are, I have been going into the training room during my time off and getting in the cold tub. The tub has been something that I have enjoyed because after running around all the time during camp it’s a nice way to rejuvenate my body. It has also been nice when we are off our feet we are playing video games.

 

Coach Hawkins has given us the early afternoon off today to let us go to the pool in the student Rec Center. It’s awesome because we’ll get to do a high dive competition and I can really show my talent.

 

This week is where we are really going to focus our attentions toward Colorado State. We’ll gradually make the process of having people running scout team and giving us the CSU look that we need. Everyone is really excited for this first game and for the opportunity to hit people not wearing a CU jersey. When September 1 rolls around there won’t be any problems with the competition level. It would be nice to have a win against Colorado State by having a decisive victory and not a nail bitter like it has been in the past. We are all working hard to be ready for that game. Thanks for reading.

 

August 13

We have been in camp for a week now and everything is going well. Everybody is out here working hard and trying to improve, especially after our first scrimmage on Sunday. We got to see some things we need to improve on and see some things we’ve done well so we can elaborate on them. For the most part, after the first week and the first scrimmage we are way further along than we were last year. So things are really looking good.

 

Personally, I have just been working to improve every time I step out on to the practice field. The running and catching thing, I can do that. So I’ve been focusing on my blocking a lot lately. That’s been improving and I’m getting better every week. I’m just looking to finish this week strong leading up to our second scrimmage. We want to keep going hard in these two-a-day practices, keep our energy up, our morale high and stay away from injuries and all that.

 

It’s only been a week but I am already itching to play in a real game. You get tired of seeing the same faces everyday in practices?sometimes you want to go up against a real opponent. But that will all come in due time so we are just working hard for now.

 

We have another week full of practices before our next scrimmage on Saturday. Hopefully our offense continues to make progress and we can build off what we accomplished in the first scrimmage. Check back with me later in the week!

 

August 9

Coach Hawkins had some words for the whole team at the end of practice today. He basically told us to be thankful for everything we have because at times during camp it might feel like it’s hard, that we might be tired, our bodies might not be cooperating with us. But on that note, we have to realize that we are a chosen few who play on an elite team in the Big 12. We all have nice shoes, shorts, gear, new lockerrooms and a bubble coming soon.

 

All in all, we are lucky to be out here in a beautiful place like Boulder. You can’t beat it. When things really might seem tough, in reality, we are blessed.

 

Camp is going well. Everybody is trying to beat their learning curve. The coaches are putting everything in, and they’re doing it fast. Guys have to pick it up and learn fast and go hard fast, even when they are learning. The young guys are practicing well along with the older guys and we all come together tomorrow as a unit and see what we have and I am really excited to put on the pads tomorrow.

 

Yesterday was media day and it is always good to talk to the media and have a day like that where it is us and them and we get to answer a bunch of questions and put ourselves out there before the season starts.

 

I think that through the first week of camp I have improved and become more comfortable with everything. In the spring, it was trial by fire for me, which isn’t a bad thing, but the second time around, I am much more comfortable with what I am doing.

 

Now I’m going to sleep. I will update you again soon. Thanks for reading.

 

August 6
For the first practice, it was a good day. I was out there with the group consisting mostly of newcomers and freshmen because I have a class conflict with the afternoon session. Obviously, with the young guys there is a learning curve but they are picking things up quickly and doing very well. All of the young guys want to be out here. I want to be the kind of person that makes the young guys feel comfortable in this new setting.

 

My position change to tight end is going smoothly. I think that I have put a lot of work into making the switch and I think I should have no problems during the season.

 

And the new lockerrooms, man, they are great! I’m glad they got here before I left. It’s a very special thing for me and my class because we have been through a lot and the new lockerrooms are another positive thing that is happening for my class, along with the new practice bubble which we will have this fall. It is a good feeling to have the lockerrooms so that we can go out with a bang.

 

It’s my senior year too. I knew it would be a big year, no matter where I was or what position I played and I have always wanted to give my all out in practice and go out in style. Thanks for reading and I’ll update you all again soon!