Colorado University Athletics
Spring Football Around the Corner
Though his program made significant progress in his second year at the helm, winning six games and earning a trip to play in the Independence Bowl, don’t expect Hawkins to take anything for granted this time around.
"There is a real danger in just assuming that, 'Well you won two and then you won six and so this year you'll win eight or nine or 10," Hawkins said Thursday during a roundtable with media members who regularly cover the CU beat. “We will be emphasizing all of the little things that make teams great. We have to go back to the basics and all of the tangible and intangible things. We always have to keep evolving and reinventing ourselves to stay ahead of the curve.”
One of the biggest challenges this spring will be replacing the senior class which Hawkins referred to as a “really solid group.”
A good number of redshirt freshmen and underclassmen will be counted on to mature into those spots vacated by the seniors, and Hawkins admitted only four or five upperclassmen will probably get regular playing time on offense.
“There are a lot of young pups that will have to grow up in a hurry,” he said.
Spring practices also present a chance for coaches to try players at new positions. This year is no exception, as Hawkins and his staff are looking to fill out the depth chart with the most capable players at each position.
“We are always monkeying around with guys, always trying to put our eyes on guys and see where they fit in,” Hawkins said.
Sophomore Kai Maiava, who earned freshman All-American and All-Big 12 honors last season as an offensive guard, has shed about 20 pounds from his previous playing weight and plans to try his hand at playing a hybrid fullback/tight end.
“We feel like long term that’s the place that’s best for him and the team,” Hawkins said. “We will see how that all plays out. His attributes are his speed, his ability to move his feet and his intelligence. He’s also a tough guy.”
In a role reversal of sorts, sophomore Nate Solder, who played tight end in 2007, will practice at offensive tackle in the spring.
“It’s not like he can’t be a tight end, I think he can,” Hawkins said. “Nate has unbelievable length, size and feet where he can be a good pass protector. When you are that big it probably lends to being more of an offensive lineman than a tight end.”
Solder will likely compete with sophomore Ryan Miller and redshirt freshman Sione Tau at the left tackle spot, a crucial position vacated by three-year starter Tyler Polumbus.
Competition on the offensive line will be welcomed this spring after the Buffs went through spring drills with just a handful of healthy offensive linemen in 2007.
“It’s going to make everyone else way better, including the offensive linemen,” Hawkins said. “The practices will be better, the drills will be better and everything will be more intense and more thorough.”
The numbers on the offensive line also will allow the coaches flexibility when it comes to deciding the format for the Spring Game on April 19. The spring practice finale will likely involve more of a game-type atmosphere rather than situational scrimmages and drills done in the past.
Competition will be strong among many positions this spring, as every spot is up for grabs per Hawkins’ mantra. But a good or bad spring will not make or break a player necessarily.
“I’ve never said after the spring ?Hey, you’re the guy. Have a nice summer!’ Let’s get into fall camp, see some guys make plays and sort it out then.”
General Spring Notes:
Offensive lineman Erick Fataagi is academically eligible and he should be able to step in and play this fall...Cornerback Benjamin Burney has a couple more surgeries to go through this spring and it is questionable if he will play this fall. “His (available) redshirt year is a window for him not to play,” Hawkins said... True freshman Lynn Katoa will start out spring practices at the inside linebacker position...Hawkins said the new depth at linebacker with four incoming recruits and the return of sophomore Michael Sipili will help in several ways: “Special teams guys are typically bigger running backs, linebackers and safeties,” he said. Having more of those guys will be big on special teams and not just the defense.”...Speaking of linebackers, Hawkins had some words of praise for junior Jeff Smart. After reviewing game film from the Independence Bowl, he said him and his assistants would be amazed at some of the plays they thought senior linebacker and Butkus Award finalist Jordon Dizon was making before seeing the pile unearth the unheralded Smart. “He is fully capable of having a Jordon-type season,” Hawkins said.
Position Battles:
The cornerback position will be an area of focus this spring and fall with the Buffs losing departed senior Terrence Wheatley and with Burney’s availability a question mark. Sophomore Jimmy Smith and redshirt freshmen Anthony Wright and Lamont Smith are three true corners who could get a crack at the starting spots. Senior Gardner McKay and junior Cha’pelle Brown have been used primarily in nickel and dime situations, but they are the two most experienced players at the cornerback position. Sophomore Jalil Brown and redshirt freshman Anthony Perkins have been working mostly at safety, but Hawkins said they could be in the mix at cornerback as well. “Like the O-line and the D-line, you can never have enough corners,” he said. “Especially in this league where you play a lot of nickel and dime.”...Junior tailback Kevin Moyd and sophomore tailbacks Demetrius Sumler and Brian Lockridge have a chance to show their worth this spring before a trio of talented running back recruits arrive in
For more information on the Spring Game click here.