Dorrell Sees Solid Progress As Buffs Conduct First Scrimmage - University of Colorado Athletics - CUBuffs.com

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BOULDER — Colorado Buffaloes head coach Karl Dorrell liked the "snapshot" his team's first scrimmage of training camp provided Saturday at Folsom Field.

"I felt the guys were locked in and did a nice job with it," Dorrell said of a workout that included 72 plays from scrimmage as well as plenty of special teams work. "The offense did a nice job of generating some good movement in terms of getting some good yards on some drives and there were some scores that were pretty nice as well. I thought the defense did a nice job of stopping the run, particularly our first- and second-team defense. I'm very pleased with where we're at after eight practices of what we were able to get done today."

The workout came exactly three weeks before the Buffs' season opener, a Nov. 7 home game against UCLA at Folsom Field. While there is still plenty of work to be done between now and then, Saturday's workout no doubt provided a good gauge for the Buffs' coaching staff as they continue the process of sorting out some key position battles as well as establishing depth up and down the depth chart.

Dorrell and his assistants aren't going to divulge too much of what they're seeing on a daily basis. While the face the obstacles all first-year staffs face in terms of installing new schemes and developing and evaluating personnel, there is also at least a small measure of an edge in this case.

Nobody — including UCLA head coach Chip Kelly — knows fully what to expect from the Buffs in that season opener. Kelly even alluded to that problem in his Pac-12 press conference a couple weeks ago, when he noted the issues that facing a new coaching staff in a season opener can present.

Of course, Dorrell knows that, and he certainly won't be handing out intel when it's not necessary.

Still, there were some takeaways to be gleaned from Saturday's scrimmage in general terms. Some of the key points:

— The Buffs seem to be leaning toward a running back by committee. While Alex Fontenot is the incumbent starter, he has not been in a "feature back" role by any stretch. Thus far in camp, the Buffs have been spreading the workload between Fontenot, sophomores Jaren Mangham, Jarek Broussard and Joe Davis, and true freshman Ashaad Clayton (who didn't scrimmage Saturday).

"We need that depth in the backfield," Dorrell said. "We're going to have a good rotation there."

All have had their moments in camp. Saturday, Dorrell mentioned Broussard, who is coming back from a knee injury, as having a solid day with a couple of scores, a good follow-up to some nice showings in previous practices.

"He ran and stuck his feet in the ground and made cuts you wouldn't do if you were questioning whether you were back healthy," Dorrell said. "He made a couple really nice runs. His confidence is going to be huge."

— The quarterback battle hasn't been settled. In fact, it might have become a little more complicated after Saturday. While junior Tyler Lytle and Sam Noyer both had good days, true freshman Brendon Lewis showed his athleticism when given the opportunity.

"I thought both Tyler and Sam did some really good things," Dorrell said. "I thought Brendon came in and did some nice things, too. I thought both of them had some real positive signs in generating offense, moving the offense. I thought they did a nice job with the operation of the offense — all three of the quarterbacks. I was really pleased by that." 

With just three weeks to go until the opener, it's a decision Buffs coaches would like to make sooner than later. A closer look at Saturday's tape should help in starting to determine if there's any true separation yet between the two leaders for the job.

— Speaking of separation, there are plenty of starting spots that are a long way from being decided. No doubt, there are a handful of spots that are relatively solid. It's hard to imagine a starting lineup that wouldn't include Inside linebacker Nate Landman, defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson and offensive linemen William Sherman, Kary Kutsch and Colby Pursell. While you're at it, you could throw defensive lineman Terrance Lang and outside linebacker Carson Wells into that mix (depending on the defensive formation); while offensive linemen Casey Roddick and Frank Fillip appear to be establishing themselves as well.

But the competition is still fierce — Dorrell's description — at a number of spots, including wide receiver, running back, quarterback and throughout the secondary. 

"I think the tape will tell us a lot more," Dorrell said when asked whether he saw any "separation" at some of those positions. "But I did see some really good play. Our first and second teams are really, really close. There's really not much of a dropoff in those areas. I didn't see anything that was night and day difference. I do feel that it's going really well … But I would say from all the competition at the quarterback position, the receivers, the backs — everybody is kind of right there in the mix. And, I  think our secondary is getting better. I saw some really nice plays there."

— Depth is being developed. For a young team, this will be critical. It's been a priority since camp opened, and thus far, CU's staff likes what they're seeing in that area.

"That's why I feel good that our first and second team are really close," Dorrell said. "You don't want your second teamer to be that big of a dropoff from your first teamer. That's what's nice. I think we have good solid depth in our program, particularly in our offensive line, at the receiver position, backs. All those things on that side."

Dorrell also likes what he's seen in terms of depth along the defensive line. While last year's starters — Johnson, Lang and Jalen Sami — all return, the Buffs are also getting some nice production in camp thus far up front from Lloyd Murray Jr., Justin Jackson and Jeremiah Doss. 

 "We've got some young D-linemen that are really starting to step up and have some really good production behind Mustafa and Terrance and Jalen," Dorrell said. "Those guys are developing. It's a good situation we're in right now."

The Buffs are also developing depth at linebacker, where transfer Guy Thomas is getting plenty of work on the outside, along with freshman Joshka Gustav, who is showing a knack for being where the ballcarrier is.

— The secondary is improving. As we mentioned earlier, Dorrell likes the improvement he has seen in CU's defensive backs — an area that was no doubt a question when camp opened.

A big plus has been the play of sophomores Chris Miller and Mark Perry, who are making plays consistently from the star and safety spots. Both have had good camps thus far.

Dorrell also likes the development of his young corners, a group that includes sophomores Tarik Luckett, K.J. Trujillo and Nigel Bethel (a transfer who sat out last season), as well as veteran Mekhi Blackmon, true freshmen Christian Gonzalez and Jaylen Striker, and redshirt freshman D.J. Oats.

Gonzalez has been impressive throughout camp and Oats notched an interception Saturday. 

— Depth, depth and more depth at WR. This seems like a position that never seems to be lacking in talent in recent years. 

Saturday, Dorrell pointed to big plays from freshmen La'Vontae Shenault and Montana Lemonious-Craig as standing out. Meanwhile, Dimitri Stanley and Daniel Arias have had productive, consistent camps thus far, while Maurice Bell and Jaylon Jackson have had their moments, as has true freshman Brenden Rice.

"Receiver is probably our deepest position in terms of our skill," Dorrell said. "Those guys are stepping up. They're doing some nice things. I've been very pleased."

— O-line solidifying. While nothing is settled yet, the returning three starters from last year — Sherman (left tackle), Kutsch (left guard) and Pursell (center) — have been joined much of the time thus far by Roddick at right guard and Fillip at right tackle. 

But, there is some competition there as the Buffs develop depth, with Kanan Ray lining up at guard and tackle, Chance Lytle getting in some reps at guard and Austin Johnson at center.

— Overall, it's been a good camp thus far. With no spring ball and very little football work accomplished over the summer, a slow start wouldn't have been a shock.

But the Buffs seem to have hit the field running and are making good progress. 

This is where credit goes to Dorrell for keeping a steady hand and even keel from the very beginning. This is a coach who doesn't panic, maintains a calm but focused demeanor, and makes sure that attitude is projected on his team.

Players recognize and appreciate that. These Buffs are on their third head coach in three years — and a steady hand that they trust is critical.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu

 

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