RSSBot
News Junkie
Spring Practices … First Look: Offensive Line
—
Program Note … Spring practices will begin February 16th (Spring Game: March 17th). Leading up to spring ball, previews will be posted for each unit of the 2018 Colorado roster.
… Previously posted: Quarterbacks … Wide Receivers … Tight Ends/Fullbacks … Running Backs … Up next: Defensive Line
—
The roster:
Players lost … Jonathan Huckins (36 career games; 21 starts) … Jeromy Irwin (46 career games; 36 starts) … Gerrad Kough (43 career games; 35 starts)
—
OFFENSIVE LINE (17 scholarship):
Seniors: Josh Kaiser
Juniors: Aaron Haigler; Tim Lynott; Dillon Middlemiss; Isaac Miller; Brett Tonz
Sophomores: Hunter Vaughn
Redshirt freshmen: Chance Lytle; Jacob Moretti; Heston Paige; Grant Polley; Colby Pursell; William Sherman
True freshmen: Frank Fillip; Josh Jynes; Casey Roddick; Kanan Ray
–
The stats (2017):
— Aaron Haigler … Played in 11 games … 763 snaps … 10 touchdown blocks … 15 perfect plays on passing touchdowns … 5 1/2 sacks allowed
— Tim Lynott … Played in 10 games … 709 snaps … 11 touchdown blocks … 15 perfect plays on passing touchdowns … 3 1/2 sacks allowed
— Josh Kaiser … Played in nine games … 418 snaps … three touchdown blocks … five perfect plays on passing touchdowns … 4 1/2 sacks allowed
— Isaac Miller … Played in nine games … 390 snaps … seven touchdown blocks … eight perfect plays on passing touchdowns … two sacks allowed
— Brett Tonz … Played in three games … 63 snaps … one pressure allowed
—
On paper, the offensive line entered the 2017 season in good shape.
In CU’s 2016 season, the line helped to produce decent, if not spectacular numbers – 56th in the nation in rushing offense; 47th in total offense; 51st in scoring offense. Four starters returned for the 2017 campaign, with another player with playing experience, Josh Kaiser, joining what had the looks of being a dominant group.
With a dynamic quarterback in Steven Montez, a proven 1,000-yard rusher in Phillip Lindsay, and a stable of quality of talented receivers, the Colorado offense was set to take off in 2017.
Except that it didn’t.
In 2017, Colorado finished 74th in rushing offense, 48th in total offense, and 81st in scoring offense. While there was plenty of blame to go around, the Buff offensive line took a noticeable step back. The Buffs were 123rd in the nation in sacks allowed, permitting 39 in 12 games.
And now three offensive line starters are gone.
All you need to know about the concerns of the CU coaching staff as to the status of the 2018 offensive line is how hard the coaches have been working on getting a senior transfer to come to Boulder.
While the search goes on for additional help, spring practices will be a quest by offensive line coach (and newly appointed co-offensive coordinator) Klayton Adams to find the best five players for September 1st.
–
The usual suspects:
— Tim Lynott … As injuries and lack of production forced numerous lineup changes, Lynott bounced back-and-forth between right guard (six starts) and center (four starts) last season. With the graduation of Jonathan Huckins, who had eight starts at center, the logical move is to have Lynott at center this fall. The junior missed the final two games of the 2017 season with a torn Achilles tendon, so he may see his participation limited this spring;
— Aaron Haigler … Another junior who bounced around the line last fall, Haigler had three starts at right tackle, and six at right guard. If Lynott moves over from right guard to center, Haigler may find a home at right guard;
— Isaac Miller … The other junior with starting experience, Miller was on the field for less than half (390) of CU’s 909 offensive plays. Miller did have four consecutive starts at right tackle … but played every offensive snap in just one of those games. Miller missed all of the 2016 season with a knee injury, so Miller’s health is always an issue.
— Josh Kaiser … The only senior (for now) on the roster, Kaiser had his first career start (at left tackle) against Colorado State, but was injured the following week against Texas State. Later, Kaiser moved to right tackle, starting three games there. Like Miller, Kaiser was able to take the field for less than half (418) of CU’s snaps on offense. Like Miller, Kaiser will be depended upon to provide experience and depth for the 2018 offensive line.
–
Next man up
There are three other offensive linemen returning who do not have “freshman” next to their name, and will have a chance to make a name for themselves this spring. Juniors Brett Tonz, Dillon Middlemess, and Hunter Vaughn have played in a total of 44 games (good), with zero starts (not so good). These players have mostly taken the field when the Buffs are attempting field goals and extra points, so there is not much in the way of game experience when it comes to this trio of players.
–
A “Ray” of hope?
— Kanan Ray … While CU has yet to land its sought-after senior offensive line transfer, the Buffs did land a late four-star recruit in Ray. A 6-foot-4, 280-pound prospect from Chatsworth, California, Ray has signed a financial aid agreement with CU and will enroll for the spring semester. Ray greyshirted at UCLA last fall as he recovered from shoulder surgery, and was granted a release from his previous National Letter of Intent. Ray will have four years of eligibility at CU and can begin practicing when spring drills begin Feb. 16.
— Jacob Moretti … The highest-rated of all of CU’s recruits from the Recruiting Class of 2017, the four-star prospect hasn’t seen the field of play since 2015. Moretti missed his senior high school campaign in 2016 with a knee injury, and sat out the 2017 season in Boulder for his red-shirt season. The former Ohio State recruit has the potential to be a four-year starter at left tackle … or another player who was never able to overcome injuries and live up to his potential. Moretti won’t likely be a “full go” for this spring, but is reportedly coming along, and should be a factor in the 2018 lineup.
— Grant Polley … Another highly recruited player from the Recruiting Class of 2017, Polley was rated as the No. 20 guard prospect in the nation last February. The Buffs are in desperate need of a redshirt freshman (or two) to find their way into the offensive line rotation … and Polley is a good bet to be one of those players.
— The best of the rest … Heston Paige and William Sherman, two three-star recruits from the Class of 2017. Both sat out the 2017 season, and will compete this fall as red-shirt freshmen … Chance Lytle and Colby Pursell, two gray-shirt recruits from the Class of 2016, Both have been with the team since last January.
—
Actions speak louder than words.
Colorado has several quality offensive linemen in the pipeline, but they all have “freshman” next to their names.
The Buffs do have three returning starters along the offensive line, but that’s about as far as the good news will take us. Three from a unit which was 123rd in the nation in sacks allowed.
Behind those three there is promise, but little in the way of known quantities.
Which is why the CU coaching staff, which already is hovering around the 90 mark in scholarship players (the limit, come this summer, is 85), is still in the market for senior transfer help along the offensive line. Stanford graduate Casey Tucker was a potential pickup, but it now appears that he will be heading home to Arizona, and play for Arizona State instead of Colorado. If there is another quality senior transfer out there, the Buffs will be in the market.
The CU offensive line, a liability in 2017, is in line to be a liability in 2018.
Unless news from spring practices leads us to believe otherwise …
–
—–
Stuart
Continue reading...
—
Program Note … Spring practices will begin February 16th (Spring Game: March 17th). Leading up to spring ball, previews will be posted for each unit of the 2018 Colorado roster.
… Previously posted: Quarterbacks … Wide Receivers … Tight Ends/Fullbacks … Running Backs … Up next: Defensive Line
—
The roster:
Players lost … Jonathan Huckins (36 career games; 21 starts) … Jeromy Irwin (46 career games; 36 starts) … Gerrad Kough (43 career games; 35 starts)
—
OFFENSIVE LINE (17 scholarship):
Seniors: Josh Kaiser
Juniors: Aaron Haigler; Tim Lynott; Dillon Middlemiss; Isaac Miller; Brett Tonz
Sophomores: Hunter Vaughn
Redshirt freshmen: Chance Lytle; Jacob Moretti; Heston Paige; Grant Polley; Colby Pursell; William Sherman
True freshmen: Frank Fillip; Josh Jynes; Casey Roddick; Kanan Ray
–
The stats (2017):
— Aaron Haigler … Played in 11 games … 763 snaps … 10 touchdown blocks … 15 perfect plays on passing touchdowns … 5 1/2 sacks allowed
— Tim Lynott … Played in 10 games … 709 snaps … 11 touchdown blocks … 15 perfect plays on passing touchdowns … 3 1/2 sacks allowed
— Josh Kaiser … Played in nine games … 418 snaps … three touchdown blocks … five perfect plays on passing touchdowns … 4 1/2 sacks allowed
— Isaac Miller … Played in nine games … 390 snaps … seven touchdown blocks … eight perfect plays on passing touchdowns … two sacks allowed
— Brett Tonz … Played in three games … 63 snaps … one pressure allowed
—
On paper, the offensive line entered the 2017 season in good shape.
In CU’s 2016 season, the line helped to produce decent, if not spectacular numbers – 56th in the nation in rushing offense; 47th in total offense; 51st in scoring offense. Four starters returned for the 2017 campaign, with another player with playing experience, Josh Kaiser, joining what had the looks of being a dominant group.
With a dynamic quarterback in Steven Montez, a proven 1,000-yard rusher in Phillip Lindsay, and a stable of quality of talented receivers, the Colorado offense was set to take off in 2017.
Except that it didn’t.
In 2017, Colorado finished 74th in rushing offense, 48th in total offense, and 81st in scoring offense. While there was plenty of blame to go around, the Buff offensive line took a noticeable step back. The Buffs were 123rd in the nation in sacks allowed, permitting 39 in 12 games.
And now three offensive line starters are gone.
All you need to know about the concerns of the CU coaching staff as to the status of the 2018 offensive line is how hard the coaches have been working on getting a senior transfer to come to Boulder.
While the search goes on for additional help, spring practices will be a quest by offensive line coach (and newly appointed co-offensive coordinator) Klayton Adams to find the best five players for September 1st.
–
The usual suspects:
— Tim Lynott … As injuries and lack of production forced numerous lineup changes, Lynott bounced back-and-forth between right guard (six starts) and center (four starts) last season. With the graduation of Jonathan Huckins, who had eight starts at center, the logical move is to have Lynott at center this fall. The junior missed the final two games of the 2017 season with a torn Achilles tendon, so he may see his participation limited this spring;
— Aaron Haigler … Another junior who bounced around the line last fall, Haigler had three starts at right tackle, and six at right guard. If Lynott moves over from right guard to center, Haigler may find a home at right guard;
— Isaac Miller … The other junior with starting experience, Miller was on the field for less than half (390) of CU’s 909 offensive plays. Miller did have four consecutive starts at right tackle … but played every offensive snap in just one of those games. Miller missed all of the 2016 season with a knee injury, so Miller’s health is always an issue.
— Josh Kaiser … The only senior (for now) on the roster, Kaiser had his first career start (at left tackle) against Colorado State, but was injured the following week against Texas State. Later, Kaiser moved to right tackle, starting three games there. Like Miller, Kaiser was able to take the field for less than half (418) of CU’s snaps on offense. Like Miller, Kaiser will be depended upon to provide experience and depth for the 2018 offensive line.
–
Next man up
There are three other offensive linemen returning who do not have “freshman” next to their name, and will have a chance to make a name for themselves this spring. Juniors Brett Tonz, Dillon Middlemess, and Hunter Vaughn have played in a total of 44 games (good), with zero starts (not so good). These players have mostly taken the field when the Buffs are attempting field goals and extra points, so there is not much in the way of game experience when it comes to this trio of players.
–
A “Ray” of hope?
— Kanan Ray … While CU has yet to land its sought-after senior offensive line transfer, the Buffs did land a late four-star recruit in Ray. A 6-foot-4, 280-pound prospect from Chatsworth, California, Ray has signed a financial aid agreement with CU and will enroll for the spring semester. Ray greyshirted at UCLA last fall as he recovered from shoulder surgery, and was granted a release from his previous National Letter of Intent. Ray will have four years of eligibility at CU and can begin practicing when spring drills begin Feb. 16.
— Jacob Moretti … The highest-rated of all of CU’s recruits from the Recruiting Class of 2017, the four-star prospect hasn’t seen the field of play since 2015. Moretti missed his senior high school campaign in 2016 with a knee injury, and sat out the 2017 season in Boulder for his red-shirt season. The former Ohio State recruit has the potential to be a four-year starter at left tackle … or another player who was never able to overcome injuries and live up to his potential. Moretti won’t likely be a “full go” for this spring, but is reportedly coming along, and should be a factor in the 2018 lineup.
— Grant Polley … Another highly recruited player from the Recruiting Class of 2017, Polley was rated as the No. 20 guard prospect in the nation last February. The Buffs are in desperate need of a redshirt freshman (or two) to find their way into the offensive line rotation … and Polley is a good bet to be one of those players.
— The best of the rest … Heston Paige and William Sherman, two three-star recruits from the Class of 2017. Both sat out the 2017 season, and will compete this fall as red-shirt freshmen … Chance Lytle and Colby Pursell, two gray-shirt recruits from the Class of 2016, Both have been with the team since last January.
—
Actions speak louder than words.
Colorado has several quality offensive linemen in the pipeline, but they all have “freshman” next to their names.
The Buffs do have three returning starters along the offensive line, but that’s about as far as the good news will take us. Three from a unit which was 123rd in the nation in sacks allowed.
Behind those three there is promise, but little in the way of known quantities.
Which is why the CU coaching staff, which already is hovering around the 90 mark in scholarship players (the limit, come this summer, is 85), is still in the market for senior transfer help along the offensive line. Stanford graduate Casey Tucker was a potential pickup, but it now appears that he will be heading home to Arizona, and play for Arizona State instead of Colorado. If there is another quality senior transfer out there, the Buffs will be in the market.
The CU offensive line, a liability in 2017, is in line to be a liability in 2018.
Unless news from spring practices leads us to believe otherwise …
–
—–
Stuart
Continue reading...