University of Colorado Athletics
Trimmed Down Rippy Enjoying 'Breakout Spring'
BOULDER - Even when he arrived on campus in 2008, Doug Rippy looked the part. Learning to play the part was another matter, but in the spring of 2011 Rippy appears to have arrived once more - this time as a more complete football player.
"We always knew he had the ability, it was just a matter of time before he would break out," veteran Colorado linebackers coach Brian Cabral said. "He's having a breakthrough spring."
That's always good news in Cabral's world of heavy contact, where most of his "puppies" serve their scout-team time before growing and maturing into better-than-average LBs.
Granted, Rippy has grown and matured, but his move into a contender's role for the starting middle linebacker spot also has been aided by not growing anymore - more precisely, by shrinking a little.
Between the end of the 2010 season and the start of spring drills on March 11, the 6-foot-2 Rippy dropped 22 pounds. New Director of Speed, Strength and Conditioning Malcolm Blacken asked him to "get to a weight I was comfortable playing at," and Rippy ended up at a svelte 228 - poundage he hadn't seen since his redshirt freshman season (2009).
"I ate healthier then worked my butt off in the off season," he said. "I wasn't setting out to lose 22 pounds, it just turned out different than I expected. I was thinking 10 or 15, but it just kept coming off. I feel much faster and stronger now."
Cabral was little more than a curious by-stander in Rippy's reduction.
"I didn't ask him to drop weight, but obviously he must feel comfortable at that," Cabral said. "More importantly, he probably feels good about himself. That must be a sign of commitment for him, and I think there has been a different level of commitment from him.
"When he came back from the (Christmas) break there seemed to be a sense of maturity I hadn't seen from him. I don't know what it was, but to his credit, there's been a different commitment and maturity level from then on."
Rippy, of Columbus, Ohio, played in six games last season, recording four tackles (one solo) and 23 special teams points. When Jon Embree was hired as CU's new head coach in early December, Rippy said it was evident to all that a stronger commitment would be necessary to reach the field this fall.
"The coaches just asked me to come out and play hard," Rippy recalled, adding that the past two years he "kind of struggled learning the playbook."
He's more comfortable in those pages now and has taken seriously Embree's initial challenge. "The new staff is evaluating everybody every day," Rippy said. "I think everybody had to come out with a new mind-set. It's been like an audition for everybody; you have to impress the coaches, because like they said, if you don't they'll bring in a freshman (in your place)."
Rippy had experienced that before and wasn't eager to repeat it. If Cabral wants him to learn three positions, Rippy complies. "Whatever they're asking, I'm trying to do," he said. "But I'm more used to it now . . . just 'fitting up' and knowing where I need to be. And I know my responsibilities and everybody else's; that's really helped me out a lot."
He's also seized an opportunity for more practice time with the first unit when sophomore Derrick Webb went down with a hip injury before spring break. Webb, who played the inside LB spot in seven games last fall, was to have returned to Tuesday's practice in a limited capacity. Still, Cabral said Webb wouldn't play in Saturday's Spring Game (6 p.m., Folsom Field, no admission charge).
"Rippy has taken advantage there, but he's done most of it on his own," Cabral said. "Most players have those (breakthrough) moments, just at different times. You just never know when that's going to be. I'm looking for a starting middle linebacker next year, so it's kind of nice to know I've got a candidate."
Rippy might not be as vocal as his coaches want him to become, but improving in that area could be included in his next "growth spurt."
"They're expecting me to become more of a leader," he said. "It's kind of tough not being used to it and having to play through being tired. You have to show by example. Obviously, that's what I have to do, but I'm hoping the whole team is built around leadership, not just around one person."
That role can wait a bit. Right now, noted Cabral, Rippy "has my vote as most improved . . . he's doing what he's supposed to be doing and making plays."
Good starting points for a prospective starter.
'EB' TALKS FBs: The Buffs' new pro-style offense needs a fullback - a very untrendy position in many high schools and an increasingly uncommon one on college campuses. CU has a pair of converted linebackers - seniors Evan Harrington and Tyler Ahles - competing in that role.
But Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Eric Bieniemy says no matter if the spread formation and its variations don't produce fullbacks, the position always can be filled.
"There's enough good football players out there - undersized defensive ends, undersized linebackers - that could be great fullbacks," Bieniemy said. "As long as there's football, there will be a fullback. You just have to have the ability to project them into that position. Will there be some growing pains? Yes.
"But if there's a football mind inside that body, as long as that kid possesses the attitude you want, you can convert him into a fullback."
Bieniemy said "each day is a learning process" for Harrington (5-11, 220) and Ahles (6-2, 240). "But the good thing is, they want to learn."
BUFF BITS: Tight end DaVaughn Thornton was at practice Tuesday but as a non-participant. On Monday, Thornton was taken by ambulance to an area hospital after being tackled and hitting the ground headfirst. He complained of soreness in his back and was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Embree said Thornton should be back at practice on Thursday (Wednesday is an off day) and might be able to participate in Saturday's Spring Game . . . . Thursday's practice will be a lighter session devoted mostly to teaching by Embree and his staff. He said the Buffs need more tutelage on what to do in specific game situations as well as paying more attention to details . . . . Saturday is CU's Junior Day. Embree said 26 or 27 high school juniors from in-state and out are expected, many of them accompanied by their parents.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU