Let’s first start off by admitting that it would be hard to not find any positives at the end of spring practice for a team whose record the preceding year was 2-10. When you’re that bad, it’s hard not to improve at least a little bit.
Well for CU, that was the situation this year. With the horror of a 2-10 2006 season behind them, the Buffs approached this spring with the hopes of improving upon head coach Dan Hawkins’s first year at the helm.
Now that the spring game is in the books and the Buffs have completed their work for the spring semester, let’s take a look at what has been learned over the past five weeks at all major areas and what still needs to be figured out.
We learned:
Quarterbacks: The QB situation is lightyears ahead of where it was this time a year ago. Anyone would’ve been hard pressed to go to a spring practice last season and spot a QB complete two passes in a row. This season, with Cody Hawkins and Nick Nelson battling out for the starting spot, the QB position is in much better hands. We found out that both guys are competitors and quick studies. Nelson, after playing two years at one of the nation’s most successful junior college football programs, came right in and made a positive impression on the coaching staff as far as his work ethic and willingness to learn goes. And for the coach’s son, Cody? He showed that he has a better feel for this offense than any of the QBs last year did. Just by watching him in the spring game and in some practices, it’s easy to see that Hawkins has a great feel for Mark Helfrich’s system. While his height is a question, Hawkins has showed, in the spring at least, that he is an able decision maker and a quality QB who can make most of the throws.
Receivers/Tight ends: This is area is a little more difficult to touch on. Pretty much all of last year’s receiving core returned for the spring with the exception of Blake Mackey. Patrick Williams, who had an awful season last year, made a lot of plays in the spring game and he looks like a guy who is beginning to understand what it takes to be successful at the college level … like catching the ball. Stephone Robinson also looks like a guy who is more confident in his second year under Hawkins. He made some plays in the return area during the spring game that showed why he was a preseason All-Big 12 pick prior to 2006. Joe Sanders, a converted tight end, made a lot of plays this spring and impressed the coaches with his toughness and hands. Look for him to get a lot of reps at tight end this season.
Running backs: Heading into the fall, Hugh Charles remains the starter at tailback. We did learn something about the other guys in the backfield, however. Sophomore Kevin Moyd impressed running backs coach Darian Hagan with his attention to detail so look for him to maybe grab some playing time early next season. The coaches seem to like the potential of red shirt freshman Demetrius Sumler. Sumler is a stout running back, at 5 feet 10 inches and 210 pounds, who can get tough yardage.
Offensive line: Hats off to those guys for hanging in there with only seven healthy bodies for the entire spring. Tyler Polumbus played well all spring and it sounds like he developed into the leader of the line. Keenan Stevens, a walk-on from Monument, CO, really impressed the coaches with his work ethic and considering how thin the Buffs are at center, he could possibly receive some playing time next season.
Defensive line: There is no doubt the defensive line will be worse off without having the departed Abraham Wright. Attempting to fill Wright’s shoes will be the talented, but unproven, Maurice Lucas. Lucas had to sit out a few practices this spring because of academic matters. The coaches seemed pleased with Alonzo Barrett at the other end spot. The interior of the line is pretty stout. George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas are returning starters and good ones at that.
Linebackers: Jordon Dizon had a great spring from a leadership standpoint and he appears to be ready to cement himself as one of CU’s great linebackers of all time. Michael Sipili had a good spring and he’ll be solid along with junior Brad Jones (CQ). This could turn out to be one of the team’s most solid units.
Defensive backfield: It appears that Benjamin Burney is going to be the starting corner opposite of Terrence Wheatley. The coaches seem to like the knowledge and physical nature he brings to the position. Gardner McKay isn’t far behind but his inability to put on weight makes him very unimposing. At safety, if Ryan Walters can stay healthy, he’ll have a big year. At the other safety spot it appears that senior Lionel Harris made a strong stand for the job this spring.
Questions:
Quarterback: Who will the starter be? Will that starter be more effective than Bernard Jackson was last year?
Receiver: What kind of impact will the highly touted freshman trio of Josh Smith, Marques Simas and Kendrick Celestine have on the position? Can the receivers hang onto the ball when it matters?
Running back: What impact will newcomer P.T. Gates have? He is said to be a Reggie Bush type player. Can Hugh Charles get the tough yardage inside?
Offensive line: How will the line gel under new position coach Jeff Grimes? How many of the seven linemen who participated in spring drills will play during the season? Where does five-star recruit Ryan Miller fit in during his first year on campus?
Defensive line: Can Barrett and Lucas come close to matching the production of Wright and Walter Boye-Doye? Will transfer Drew Hudgins have any impact?
Linebackers: Can they stay healthy? Can someone in the group turn into a blitzing backer to help the defensive line apply pressure?
Defensive backfield: Can Terrence Wheatley turn in an All-Big 12 season? Can Ryan Walters stay healthy? Can they do a better job against the pass?
So, that’s what we learned from spring ball and that’s what we’re yet to see. It should be interesting to see it all develop.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Stirling Wade at stirling.wade@thecampuspress.com.
