|
LB
Jordon Dizon |
|
|
2006
Statistics |
Coach:
Dan Hawkins
2-10,
1 year |
2006
Record: 2-10 |
|
MONTANA
STATE |
LOST
10-19 |
vs.
Colorado State |
LOST
10-14 |
ARIZONA
STATE |
LOST
3-21 |
at
Georgia |
LOST
13-14 |
at
Missouri |
LOST
13-28 |
BAYLOR |
LOST
31-34 (3OT) |
TEXAS
TECH |
WON
30-6 |
at
Oklahoma |
LOST
3-24 |
at
Kansas |
LOST
15-20 |
KANSAS
STATE |
LOST
21-34 |
IOWA
STATE |
WON
33-16 |
at
Nebraska |
LOST
14-37 |
|
2006
Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2007
Outlook |
Bringing
high expectation with his moniker
as one of the top five coaches (over
his first 50 games) in I-A history,
Dan Hawkins produced the worst record
here since 1984 in his first year
at the helm. But in taking over a
program that was so internally beleaguered
due to mismanagement (Gary Barnett
fiasco), healing meant taking a step
back to now surge forward. The sophisticated
offense Hawkins introduced last year
will soon have much more capable QBs
to make it work, and the starter is
no less than a direct extension of
the ex-Boise chief himself –
his boy Cody. Hawkins & Son will
bring a passing dimension that phenom
Bernard Jackson – last year’s
signal caller – couldn’t
muster, though Jackson’s “demotion”
allows him to become a multi-role
weapon who will pose matchup problems
as he comes at defenses from every
position/angle possible. We expect
the passing element to compound (after
they only threw it about 250 times
as a team), and more balance in the
play calling this way will initiate
more points. The different spread
elements in their arsenal will likely
be revealed methodically as the new
QB(s) show their grasp of the system.
The Buffalo defense was already playing
decent football, so returning seven
starters should mean improvements
to their 66th-ranked effort. Concerns
on that side of the pigskin include
pass coverage and replacing both starters
at end, but we fully expect that CU’s
stopping efforts can again keep them
in ball games when the offense is
held. The difference between this
year and last will be that the offense,
once it gets rolling, can now close
the deal and even mount comebacks.
Some will point to departed All-American
kicker Crosby as a hole that could
affect the team’s ability to
get an easy three when needed, but
career-backup Kevin Eberhart has the
same huge leg and even more physicality.
It all looks great on paper, though,
how much this team improves in the
win column is debatable. The schedule
is daunting - their tough non-con
slate is buffered by Nebraska, Mizzu
and Oklahoma all having to visit Folsom
Field. Just don’t be dissuaded
about CU by any early struggles, for
this team will eventually emerge and
play (close to) on par with even the
best Big 12 foes. Regardless, this
is an up-and-coming team that, once
again, cannot be ignored as a viable
role-player in the nation’s
college football spectrum.
Projected
2007 record: 5-7
|
|
COLORADO
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Bernard Jackson, 108-219-7, 1298 yds.,
7 TD
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 139
att., 779 yds., 1 TD
Receiving: Riar Geer, 24 rec.,
261 yds., 3 TD
Scoring: Bernard Jackson, 7
TD, 42 pts.
Punting: Matt DiLallo, 47 punts,
43.7 avg.
Kicking: None
Tackles: Jordon Dizon, 137
tot., 80 solo
Sacks: Jordon Dizon, 4 sacks
Interceptions: Terrence Wheatley,
5 for 26 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Stephone Robinson,
15 ret., 17.4 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Stephone Robinson,
15 ret., 5.1 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
RB
Hugh Charles |
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 9 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
James Cox-QB, Mell Holliday-TB, Dan
Goettsch-TE, Brian Daniels-OG, Bryce
MacMartin-C, Mark Fenton-C, Mason Crosby-K |
DEFENSE:
Abraham
Wright-DE, Walter Boye-Doe-DE, Thaddaeus
Washington-MLB, Terry Washington-CB,
Lorenzo Sims-CB, J.J. Billingsley-SS |
|
|
2007
OFFENSE |
Dan
Hawkins learned the hard way about the realities
of playing in the Big 12 – they consistently
have quicker and tougher defenses than in
the WAC. Running the ball nearly twice as
much as they passed it in 2006, CU actually
needs to start passing it more to really
open up those running lanes. Accordingly,
the developments at QB have been promising
during spring ball. RS freshman Cody Hawkins
(yes, coach Dan’s son) has the pedigree
to succeed – besides the inherent
genetics for the game, this former Gatorade
Player of the Year (Idaho) has 4.7 speed
(in the 40) and an innate ability to survey
the entire field. His upside is huge, but
will not be realized until real game reps
teach him what he still needs. JUCO-transfer
Nick Nelson is the same kind of heady player
who represents a true upgrade for the position.
Nelson has two inches on Hawkins and has
had sporadic streaks of brilliance (in 7-on-7
drills), but Hawkins’ huge spring
game has him (presently) poised for the
start. What happened, you say, to Bernard
Jackson, last year’s preferred signal
caller? The prospects of Hawkins and Nelson
allow Jackson’s super quick abilities
to be applied elsewhere – he will
be seen with the ball in a variety of roles,
and probably will be counted on to still
throw it a bit. This all bodes well, and
developments at QB are one of the main reasons
why we think this team is on the rise. With
Jackson seeing time at running back, fellow
senior Hugh Charles may also see his role
expand, especially if/when both of them
are in at the same time. FB Maurice Cantrell
is the kind of plow needed to take out even
the biggest linemen, though he only gets
touches every other Boulder moon. Four-star
JUCO-transfer P.T. Gates, who is working
hard in class to assure his arrival this
fall, should press well-sized senior Byron
Ellis for backup time. Two senior starters
back at tackle mean secure play development
when things proceed outside the box. The
inside is grounded by versatile center Daniel
Sanders (Rimington watch list) as he helps
initiate the two new starters at guard.
Freshman Wes Palazzi surged past injured
Erick Faatagi to earn one start, while Devin
Head - “the most talented (prep) offensive
lineman in California” (PrepStar)
- gets the other. Even with the nation’s
No.2 tackle prospect (Ryan Miller) as insurance,
an injury rash up front would really hurt
the win total. The top five snarlers all
return to give the new QBs plenty of proven
targets. Ex-sprinter/long jumper Patrick
Williams uses his entire 6’2 frame
well to shield corners, while Alvin Barnett
is more of the possession type needed for
important (third-down) conversions. The
Buffalo’s third receiver, 6’4
senior Dusty Sprague, is a great field-stretcher;
just don’t be surprised when Jackson
adds that moniker to his résumé,
too. But the team’s top pass catcher
in ’06 was (soon-to-be all-conference)
TE Riar Geer, and this kid is merely a sophomore
who is still developing. This all adds up
to more balance and, therefore, vast improvements
to last year’s 102nd-ranked total
offense. If young coordinator/QB coach Mark
Helfrich cannot make more out of this much
potential/talent, Hawkins needs to possibly
change who leads the Buff’s point
producing charge.
|
|
OT
Edwin Harrison
|
|
|
COLORADO
2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Cody
Hawkins-Fr (5-11, 190) |
Nick
Nelson-Jr (6-1, 220)
Bernard Jackson-Sr (6-0, 200) |
FB |
Maurice
Cantrell-Jr (6-0, 240) |
Samson
Jagoras-Sr (5-10, 225) |
TB |
Hugh
Charles-Sr (5-8, 190) |
Byron
Ellis-Sr (6-0, 215) |
WR |
Patrick
Williams-Jr (6-2, 200) |
Cody
Crawford-Jr (5-11, 175)
Bernard Jackson-Sr (6-0, 200) |
WR |
Alvin
Barnett-Sr (5-11, 190) |
Dusty
Sprague-Sr (6-4, 190)
Stephone Robinson-Sr (5-8, 190) |
TE |
Riar
Geer-So (6-3, 245) |
Joe
Sanders-Sr (6-3, 235) |
OT |
Tyler
Polumbus-Sr (6-8, 300) |
.. |
OG |
Wes
Palazzi-Fr (6-1, 285) |
Erick
Faatagi-Jr (6-2, 310) |
C |
Daniel
Sanders-Jr (6-3, 305) |
Keenan
Stevens-Fr (6-3, 275) |
OG |
Devin
Head-So (6-4, 285) |
.. |
OT |
Edwin
Harrison-Sr (6-4, 300) |
.. |
K |
Kevin
Eberhart-Sr (5-11, 195) |
Jim
Parra-Fr (5-6, 140) |
|
|
2007
DEFENSE |
Second-year
coordinator Ron Collins followed Hawkins
here from Boise, and he has learned the
same tough lessons as his boss concerning
foe’s increased speed at this BCS-aligned
level. The thrust of this was seen in CU’s
94th-ranked secondary. Three of the four
DB starters return, so maturity will equal
improvements with this much raw talent to
hone. Junior safety Ryan Walters is an ex-QB-WR
who is still learning the position (though
“he can clean clocks”, adds
defensive leader Jordan Dizon), but senior
counterpart Lionel Harris already knows
the ropes pretty well and will be needed
for his leadership with the other inexperienced
candidates on the two-deep. Another senior
leader there to help the secondary improve
is Terrance Wheatley, who is as dangerous
at open field tackling as he is in coverage.
This all-conference corner will not see
many throws come his way, so ex-sprinter
and Lone Tree-native Ben Burney will be
tested early and often as he bumps up from
nickel/dime packages. The last two incoming
classes were light in the DB department,
making any injury rashes likely damaging
to the D’s overall stopping power.
The linebackers are an established group
- middle man Mike Sipili excelled as a freshman
backup at run stopping with his girth; speed
merchant Brad Jones is ready to have a breakout
campaign; and all-conference weaksider Dizon
(also the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the
Year in 2004, the first CU true frosh ever
to earn such) only had the 11th-most tackles
(per game) in I-A last season. Junior LB
backups Marcus Burton (Iron Buffalo) and
R.J. Brown (Dick Anderson) both earned spring
accolades due to their progress, so there
is no excuse for this much depth/talent
not to produce more. The situation along
the Buffalo front seems workable at first
glance – the two returning starters
inside are bolstered by oft-played subs
who are now atop the depth chart on the
ends. But new DE starters Lucas and Barnett,
who combined for 300+ snaps in ’06,
only earned one sack or TFL between them
(though Barnett was recognized with the
Dan Stavely Award this spring as the most
improved DLman), so expect a liberal rotation
come September where JUCO-transfer Drew
Hudgins (recovering from knee surgery, expected
back by August) and Marquez Herrod get ample
chances to prove if they can do better.
It’s a good thing tackles Brandon
Nicolas and George Hypolite play like ends,
using power/bull rushing and speed to have
just finish with 57 and 50 tackles, respectively.
The starting tackles are ostensibly sub-300-pounders,
and with their backups also coming in rather
light (around 260), dealing with the conference’s
top OLs for 60 minutes will have its price
in the fourth quarters if more quality girth
isn’t found. The stat to watch (besides
points allowed) that will best signal if
this side of the ball (especially the secondary)
is improving will be opponent’s third-down
conversion rate. Collins’ bunch gave
up first-downs 48% of the time last year,
and with the back seven allowing 134 (of
their opponent’s 222) first-downs
via the pass, DB coach Greg Brown has much
to prove with his (player’s) efforts.
Improvements will be seen, and any upgrades
here will (just like their offensive passing
dimensions) define the 2007 Buffaloes.
|
|
CB
Terrence Wheatley
|
|
|
COLORADO
2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Maurice
Lucas-Jr (6-4, 255) |
Drew
Hudgins-Jr (6-4, 235) |
DT |
George
Hypolite-Jr (6-1, 285) |
Eric
Lawson-Fr (6-3, 260) |
NT |
Brandon
Nicolas-Jr (6-3, 280) |
Jason
Brace-So (6-4, 265) |
DE |
Alonzo
Barrett-Sr (6-3, 235) |
Marquez
Herrod-Fr (6-2, 255) |
SLB |
Brad
Jones-Jr (6-3, 225) |
Bryan
Stengel-So (6-2, 210) |
MLB |
Michael
Sipili-So (6-1, 250) |
R.J.
Brown-Jr (6-1, 225) |
WLB |
Jordon
Dizon-Sr (6-0, 225) |
Marcus
Burton-Jr (6-0, 245) |
CB |
Terrence
Wheatley-Sr (5-10, 175) |
Jalil
Brown-Fr (6-1, 205) |
CB |
Benjamin
Burney-Jr (5-11, 195) |
Jimmy
Smith-Fr (6-2, 200) |
SS |
Lionel
Harris-Sr (6-0, 195) |
Daniel
Dykes-Jr (6-2, 205) |
FS |
Ryan
Walters-Jr (5-11, 200) |
Terry
Wilson-Jr (5-10, 205) |
P |
Matt
DiLallo-So (6-1, 205) |
Tom
Suazo-Jr (5-11, 190) |
|
|
|
2007
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Goodbye
Groza Award finalist Mason Crosby, hello senior
Kevin Eberhart. This local Broomfield-product,
though unproven on this level, has arguably the
same leg power as the departed All-American –
whom he backed up for three years – and
also brings a speed-toughness factor better suited
for using him on fakes. Matt DiLallo was the nation’s
16th-ranked punter who afforded CU their 31st-ranked
net results, two stats that should continue on
the same high level. Hugh Charles and Bernard
Jackson were bumped in this spring to help the
sagging KO return results produced by Stephone
Robinson, though Robinson will retain his role
as punt returner…for now.
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