Colorado University Athletics

Tight Ends, Fullbacks Impressive During The Spring

Tight Ends, Fullbacks Impressive During The Spring
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BOULDER?The University of Colorado football team has a proud tradition at both the tight end and fullback positions.  This yearGÇÖs players are aware of the programGÇÖs history of success at those positions and are happy to be able to carry on that proud tradition.

GÇ£Practice is going really well,GÇ¥ tight end and fullback coach Kent Riddle said.  GÇ£They all had stuff they needed to work on and theyGÇÖve all done a great job of improving in those areas.  We wanted to play physical this spring, to come off and block people and get after guys and then make plays in the passing game when we have opportunities.GÇ¥

The Buffs have a very deep and talented tight end grouping this year as they return seniors Riar Geer and Patrick Devenny and sophomore Ryan Deehan.  They will also get a boost with the addition of Luke Walters who sat out last year after an impressive spring due to a leg injury and Ryan Wallace who redshirted last season.

GÇ£Luke Walters has done a great job and we werenGÇÖt sure even home much heGÇÖd be able to play,GÇ¥ Riddle said.  GÇ£Devin Shanahan has been good, heGÇÖs had almost all of his practices be good practices and Ryan Deehan and Ryan Wallace are coming along as well as we had hoped.GÇ¥

Devenny also singled out Shanahan when asked about the group.

GÇ£I would say Shanahan has come a long way during spring ball,GÇ¥ Devenny said.  GÇ£HeGÇÖs big, heGÇÖs strong, heGÇÖs moving well and I think heGÇÖll contribute this year.  I think thatGÇÖs great because heGÇÖs one of the nicest guys youGÇÖll ever meet so having him out there is awesome.GÇ¥

Geer and Deehan have proven themselves as valuable blockers in addition to being a threat in the passing game.  Devenny has proven to be the most valuable receiver of the group; he had a solid year last year year and has continued his pattern of being a standout in spring practices.

GÇ£IGÇÖve been really impressed with how Pat Devenny has done all around,GÇ¥ Riddle said.  GÇ£He did a good job for us in the receiving area last year but heGÇÖs really done a great job of playing physical and heGÇÖs been a pretty good blocker this spring.GÇ¥

GÇ£IGÇÖm just trying to keep working on my blocking,GÇ¥ Devenny explained.  GÇ£I want to work on my routes and do the best that I can.  I think that the blocking is the main thing and trying to get off the line and get into open space.  I want to establish myself as a playmaker too so IGÇÖm trying to balance all of those things, but every day there is a major emphasis on improving my blocking.GÇ¥

Four of the more recent standout tight ends at CU have included: Daniel Graham who was the 2001 Mackey Award Winner (NationGÇÖs Best Tight End), a first round pick of the New England Patriots and a current Denver Broncos team captain; Joel Klopfenstein (2005) who was a second round of the St. Louis Rams; Quinn Sypniewski (2005) who was a fifth round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens and Tyson DeVree (2007) who is a current member of the New England Patriots.

Among the former standout fullbacks include George Hemmingway, Brandon Drumm and Lawrence Vickers, who is a current member of the Cleveland Browns and was the top-rated fullback in the Madden 2009 video game.

Jake Behrens is listed atop the fullback spot on the depth chart; he is a very smart player, a solid blocker and a reliable receiver?especially in short yardage situations.  Behrens finished last season with 12 receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

GÇ£All of us as a tight end and fullback group are getting in there and competing,GÇ¥ Devenny said.  GÇ£WeGÇÖve really come a long way from where we were at the end of the season.  WeGÇÖve just been doing a lot of seven-on-seven stuff before spring practices and now with practices, normally we have a set group of guys by now but this year weGÇÖre just all rotating in and making plays.GÇ¥

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