Coming off a 5-7 season and on a long losing streak, what do we have by position group and how does it stack up to 2018's roster? Where did we upgrade, where did we take a step back, and where do we not know what we have?
Quarterback
Have to assume this is an upgrade from 2018. No one graduated or transferred out, so it's the same guys with a year more of development. Montez is a 5th year senior who will be the full-time starter for a 3rd season. Primary backup looks to be Lytle after him moving past Noyer in the spring. Stenstrom was injured in the spring but will compete for a role in fall camp as a RS-Freshman.
Tailback
Losing McMillian to graduation was a blow. 1,000 yard rusher and home run threat every time he got the ball. Also lost Evans to graduation, who didn't have great stats but the fact remains that no one returning was able to beat him out last year. Our 2018 RB3, Bisharat, has moved to H-Back. Returning is Fontenot, who is up to 195 lbs and had a better YPC than Evans last year. Also returning are Smith, who redshirted last year and is up to 190 lbs, and Broussard, who also redshirted and is up to 180 lbs. Newcomers are Mangham, a 4* recruit who weighs in at 215 lbs, and Davis, who weighs in at 210 lbs.
Wide Receiver
Graduated Winfree, a super talented player who struggled with injuries and hardly got on the field, MacIntyre, a highly productive slot receiver who had a knack for getting open and had reliable hands, and Ento, a jump ball threat who played sparingly.
Returning players are led by Shenault, who might be the best WR in the nation and is almost certainly the top WR in the conference. Next is Nixon, who caught over 50 balls last season and would be the #1 option on many P5 teams. Brown returns for his senior year after being 3rd on the team in receptions (33) and yards (333) last season.
So with the top 3 guys on production coming back, the question is on depth. Stanley, Arias and Jackson flashed last season and all look like they have a lot of potential. Bell showed what he could do with a great performance in the Spring Game. Thomas is hopefully healthy this season as he works his way back, but was the most heralded of the young guys when they were recruited in 2018. From the 2019 class, we have another Shenault along with Huffman-Dixon to add a couple more big WRs. Last, 4* Luckett will get his first opportunity at WR.
Tight End
Last year we entered the season with Bounds as the starter, Russell as a walk-on, Poplawski making a return from injury, and Jones learning the position as a raw JUCO transfer. Bounds quit football, Russell earned a scholarship, Poplawski got hurt again and Jones never earned playing time.
This year, Poplawski is healthy and up to 250 lbs. Russell is established as a quality H-Back in the conference. Jones remains a question mark, but he like Russell has beefed up to 255 lbs. Bisharat has moved over from tailback to add depth at H-Back. Leading the newcomers is Harris, a grad transfer and former top 20 TE recruit who was a part-time starter at Auburn and had a very nice spring game. Also new is Stillwell, a JUCO transfer who was a wildcat QB in HS and has switched to TE in college. There is also a chance that Gustav moves to TE rather than sticking at OLB.
Offensive Line
Last year's starting OL was a bit of a revolving door, but 3 guys who were usually in that mix were Tonz, Haigler and Kaiser. All 3 graduated. That leaves the following with starting experience: Lynott, Pursell, Sherman and Fillip. The major addition is Hambright, a grad transfer who was Oklahoma State's starting LT last season until he suffered an injury. Other players who played last year and return are Kutsch -- a JUCO transfer last year, Moretti -- still in injury recovery but probably the most talented OL on the roster, Shutack -- a walk-on who transferred from Rutgers and could earn a scholarship, and Lytle, Paige & Vaughn who have yet to play much.
Newcomers and those coming off redshirt years are Sauvau, a JUCO transfer, Ray, a former 4* who was recovering from injury last year, Roddick, a well-regarded recruit who redshirted while getting into better physical condition last year, and a group of true freshmen we don't yet know much about: Wiley, Johnson, Senn and Pohahau.
Defensive Line
This position group had the biggest offseason shakeup, by far. 2018 starter at NT was Edwards and his backup was Tuiloma while Sami redshirted. 2018 starters at the 2 DT positions were Antwine and Johnson with Mulumba, Franke and Lang the primary backups. Edwards, Tuiloma, Antwine, Mulumba and Franke have all departed along with a couple other depth pieces in Roberts and Finau.
For those scoring at home, that's 1 returning starter in Johnson -- an all-conference player who is up to 290 lbs and may be an NFL draft candidate after this year. Sami and Lang are the other expected starters and both physically look the part at 6'6" 320 and 6'7" 280, respectively. Two JUCO transfer sophomores were brought in to bring immediate depth -- Doss as a 255 lb DE and Jordan as a 305 lb DT. The freshman newcomers are big, but we don't know anything yet: Williams (6'5" 320), Murray (6'2" 325), Rodman (6'2" 295) and Simon (6'2" 265).
Inside Linebackers
The only loss here was Gamboa, a 4 year starter who made a lot of tackles and was a very intelligent player but was a bit undersized and lacked ideal speed. One starter returns with Landman, who may be the best ILB in the conference this season as a junior. Also returning are Van Diest -- a 4* recruit who was working his way back from injury last year but had a great spring, along with Newman, Robinson and Jones who haven't played enough to distinguish themselves.
Additions to this group are a couple heralded JUCOs with Allen and Perry along with a top recruit in Ham. A recent surprise addition is Lameta, a JUCO transfer from Garden City CC who was an all-conference player last year and could earn a scholarship.
Outside Linebackers
The main departure from this group is Lewis, who had been slated to start at ILB last year until Landman's emergence pushed him to the outside. Hamilton, who sat out last year, has also left. Leading the returning players are Taylor -- a 2018 starter with elite speed, Callier -- a starter at the start of 2018 who missed most of the season with injury, Wells -- a pass rusher who emerged toward the end of the season, Tchangam -- another pass rusher who emerged as the season went on, and Falo -- a player who has had an up and down career but has flashed. Newcomers include a heralded JUCO with Montgomery, a top in-state signee with Pell, and a potential TE who will get his first look at OLB with Gustav.
Cornerbacks
Returning as a starter is Abrams, who was probably CU's best DB in a forgettable 2018 secondary. Departures include Wigley -- a part-time starter, Sanchez -- injuries & graduation, Udoffia - a part-time stater who is now a safety, Ronnie Blackmon -- a punt returner & nickel back, and George -- a player who never cracked the depth chart.
Other returning players would seem to give CU some options at the top of the depth chart. Mekhi Blackmon came on as 2018 progressed to become the 2nd best CB last season while Miller has been heralded as the best athlete with the most potential in the group -- if he can bulk up a bit and stay healthy. Hudson is an upperclassman walk-on who could figure in as a nickel back. It is likely that 1 or more true freshmen will have to factor in from a group that includes Trujillo, Oats and possibly Luckett if he doesn't stay at WR.
Safety
Going into 2018, this was supposed to be one of the strengths of the defense with Fisher and Worthington, but both had uneven seasons with injury issues. They have graduated along with Trego, a backup who played a lot. Promising freshman Hypolite also left the program. Returning are a few players who got time last season: Udoffia -- who was a part-time starter at CB, Rakestraw -- who saw significant action after injuries hit the position last year, and Maddox -- also saw significant action after injuries hit last season. The other returning scholarship player is Lewis, who hasn't been able to crack the rotation yet.
Newcomers are a highly regarded freshman in Perry and a grad transfer in Onu who started for SMU and was a pre-season all-conference pick in the AAC. This position group also has a walk-on in Cooper who might earn significant playing time and a scholarship this camp.
Specialists
CU lost some expected depth when Loy transferred out from the Punter position. However, this is more than offset by an extra year of eligibility from Kinney, who is potentially an all-conference Punter. Also returning from injury is Placekicker Stefanou along with his backup and 2018 scholarship P/K Davis Price. Joining them are walk-on RS-freshmen Francis and Evan Price who both played last season, making field goals, while not appearing in enough games to lose their redshirts. Returning as the Long Snapper is Bale, one of the best in the college game.
Quarterback
Have to assume this is an upgrade from 2018. No one graduated or transferred out, so it's the same guys with a year more of development. Montez is a 5th year senior who will be the full-time starter for a 3rd season. Primary backup looks to be Lytle after him moving past Noyer in the spring. Stenstrom was injured in the spring but will compete for a role in fall camp as a RS-Freshman.
Tailback
Losing McMillian to graduation was a blow. 1,000 yard rusher and home run threat every time he got the ball. Also lost Evans to graduation, who didn't have great stats but the fact remains that no one returning was able to beat him out last year. Our 2018 RB3, Bisharat, has moved to H-Back. Returning is Fontenot, who is up to 195 lbs and had a better YPC than Evans last year. Also returning are Smith, who redshirted last year and is up to 190 lbs, and Broussard, who also redshirted and is up to 180 lbs. Newcomers are Mangham, a 4* recruit who weighs in at 215 lbs, and Davis, who weighs in at 210 lbs.
Wide Receiver
Graduated Winfree, a super talented player who struggled with injuries and hardly got on the field, MacIntyre, a highly productive slot receiver who had a knack for getting open and had reliable hands, and Ento, a jump ball threat who played sparingly.
Returning players are led by Shenault, who might be the best WR in the nation and is almost certainly the top WR in the conference. Next is Nixon, who caught over 50 balls last season and would be the #1 option on many P5 teams. Brown returns for his senior year after being 3rd on the team in receptions (33) and yards (333) last season.
So with the top 3 guys on production coming back, the question is on depth. Stanley, Arias and Jackson flashed last season and all look like they have a lot of potential. Bell showed what he could do with a great performance in the Spring Game. Thomas is hopefully healthy this season as he works his way back, but was the most heralded of the young guys when they were recruited in 2018. From the 2019 class, we have another Shenault along with Huffman-Dixon to add a couple more big WRs. Last, 4* Luckett will get his first opportunity at WR.
Tight End
Last year we entered the season with Bounds as the starter, Russell as a walk-on, Poplawski making a return from injury, and Jones learning the position as a raw JUCO transfer. Bounds quit football, Russell earned a scholarship, Poplawski got hurt again and Jones never earned playing time.
This year, Poplawski is healthy and up to 250 lbs. Russell is established as a quality H-Back in the conference. Jones remains a question mark, but he like Russell has beefed up to 255 lbs. Bisharat has moved over from tailback to add depth at H-Back. Leading the newcomers is Harris, a grad transfer and former top 20 TE recruit who was a part-time starter at Auburn and had a very nice spring game. Also new is Stillwell, a JUCO transfer who was a wildcat QB in HS and has switched to TE in college. There is also a chance that Gustav moves to TE rather than sticking at OLB.
Offensive Line
Last year's starting OL was a bit of a revolving door, but 3 guys who were usually in that mix were Tonz, Haigler and Kaiser. All 3 graduated. That leaves the following with starting experience: Lynott, Pursell, Sherman and Fillip. The major addition is Hambright, a grad transfer who was Oklahoma State's starting LT last season until he suffered an injury. Other players who played last year and return are Kutsch -- a JUCO transfer last year, Moretti -- still in injury recovery but probably the most talented OL on the roster, Shutack -- a walk-on who transferred from Rutgers and could earn a scholarship, and Lytle, Paige & Vaughn who have yet to play much.
Newcomers and those coming off redshirt years are Sauvau, a JUCO transfer, Ray, a former 4* who was recovering from injury last year, Roddick, a well-regarded recruit who redshirted while getting into better physical condition last year, and a group of true freshmen we don't yet know much about: Wiley, Johnson, Senn and Pohahau.
Defensive Line
This position group had the biggest offseason shakeup, by far. 2018 starter at NT was Edwards and his backup was Tuiloma while Sami redshirted. 2018 starters at the 2 DT positions were Antwine and Johnson with Mulumba, Franke and Lang the primary backups. Edwards, Tuiloma, Antwine, Mulumba and Franke have all departed along with a couple other depth pieces in Roberts and Finau.
For those scoring at home, that's 1 returning starter in Johnson -- an all-conference player who is up to 290 lbs and may be an NFL draft candidate after this year. Sami and Lang are the other expected starters and both physically look the part at 6'6" 320 and 6'7" 280, respectively. Two JUCO transfer sophomores were brought in to bring immediate depth -- Doss as a 255 lb DE and Jordan as a 305 lb DT. The freshman newcomers are big, but we don't know anything yet: Williams (6'5" 320), Murray (6'2" 325), Rodman (6'2" 295) and Simon (6'2" 265).
Inside Linebackers
The only loss here was Gamboa, a 4 year starter who made a lot of tackles and was a very intelligent player but was a bit undersized and lacked ideal speed. One starter returns with Landman, who may be the best ILB in the conference this season as a junior. Also returning are Van Diest -- a 4* recruit who was working his way back from injury last year but had a great spring, along with Newman, Robinson and Jones who haven't played enough to distinguish themselves.
Additions to this group are a couple heralded JUCOs with Allen and Perry along with a top recruit in Ham. A recent surprise addition is Lameta, a JUCO transfer from Garden City CC who was an all-conference player last year and could earn a scholarship.
Outside Linebackers
The main departure from this group is Lewis, who had been slated to start at ILB last year until Landman's emergence pushed him to the outside. Hamilton, who sat out last year, has also left. Leading the returning players are Taylor -- a 2018 starter with elite speed, Callier -- a starter at the start of 2018 who missed most of the season with injury, Wells -- a pass rusher who emerged toward the end of the season, Tchangam -- another pass rusher who emerged as the season went on, and Falo -- a player who has had an up and down career but has flashed. Newcomers include a heralded JUCO with Montgomery, a top in-state signee with Pell, and a potential TE who will get his first look at OLB with Gustav.
Cornerbacks
Returning as a starter is Abrams, who was probably CU's best DB in a forgettable 2018 secondary. Departures include Wigley -- a part-time starter, Sanchez -- injuries & graduation, Udoffia - a part-time stater who is now a safety, Ronnie Blackmon -- a punt returner & nickel back, and George -- a player who never cracked the depth chart.
Other returning players would seem to give CU some options at the top of the depth chart. Mekhi Blackmon came on as 2018 progressed to become the 2nd best CB last season while Miller has been heralded as the best athlete with the most potential in the group -- if he can bulk up a bit and stay healthy. Hudson is an upperclassman walk-on who could figure in as a nickel back. It is likely that 1 or more true freshmen will have to factor in from a group that includes Trujillo, Oats and possibly Luckett if he doesn't stay at WR.
Safety
Going into 2018, this was supposed to be one of the strengths of the defense with Fisher and Worthington, but both had uneven seasons with injury issues. They have graduated along with Trego, a backup who played a lot. Promising freshman Hypolite also left the program. Returning are a few players who got time last season: Udoffia -- who was a part-time starter at CB, Rakestraw -- who saw significant action after injuries hit the position last year, and Maddox -- also saw significant action after injuries hit last season. The other returning scholarship player is Lewis, who hasn't been able to crack the rotation yet.
Newcomers are a highly regarded freshman in Perry and a grad transfer in Onu who started for SMU and was a pre-season all-conference pick in the AAC. This position group also has a walk-on in Cooper who might earn significant playing time and a scholarship this camp.
Specialists
CU lost some expected depth when Loy transferred out from the Punter position. However, this is more than offset by an extra year of eligibility from Kinney, who is potentially an all-conference Punter. Also returning from injury is Placekicker Stefanou along with his backup and 2018 scholarship P/K Davis Price. Joining them are walk-on RS-freshmen Francis and Evan Price who both played last season, making field goals, while not appearing in enough games to lose their redshirts. Returning as the Long Snapper is Bale, one of the best in the college game.
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