Colorado defensive coordinator Chris Wilson joined reporters following Monday's practice in Boulder, the Buffs' fifth of fall camp. Wilson, who prepares for his first season at CU following his promotion to the playcaller's seat this past winter, touched on a number of subjects, including the status and progression of a number of Colorado's younger defensive linemen.
Wilson aims to develop CU's younger DLs:
While the Buffaloes return their big three up front of Terrance Lang, Jalen Sami and Janaz Jordan — the three most experienced d-linemen after Mustafa Johnson, who departed CU's program to declare for the NFL Draft this past spring — other younger players are expected to step up and plug some holes, providing depth when needed.
One such player is sophomore Na'im Rodman, who saw action, albeit limited, in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
As Wilson looks to beef up the Buffs' defensive line, Rodman has emerged as an example of the kind of improvement from year to year he hopes Colorado's younger defensive linemen will emulate.
“I believe this to my core and it’s not just coach talk, but when your fronts become great, your teams become great," Wilson said. "Every place I’ve been where you win championships, you are dominant up front. We’ve got to get more guys going in that direction and I’ve been pleased with Na’im. He’s been leading that progression for us.”
In particular, freshmen Tyas Martin and Ryan Williams have the opportunity to compete and see the field in 2021.
On Tuesday, the Buffaloes put full pads on for the first time in fall camp.
While Wilson said he's been impressed with the likes of Martin and Williams thus far into things, once he can see them in full pads, it'll make it easier to formally evaluate where they're at.
“Tyas is doing great," Wilson said. "He had a great summer for how brief it was for those young guys, but again, he’s a big strong kid and he’s got the things you can’t teach: he’s got size, he’s got strength and he’s explosive. We’ll just keep building him and progressing with him every day.”
“The thing that makes Ryan Ryan is that he really enjoys the game of football," Wilson said. "...One thing he has is a great tool set and he processes at a high level.The future’s bright but he’s still a long way away — it’s just like talking about rockies. For every rookie that you start, you usually lose a game for that, so we’ll keep progressing him.”
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Freshman safety Trevor Woods earning praise from teammates and coaches:
Trevor Woods enjoyed a standout career at James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, where he racked up 305 career tackles, 20 of which were for loss.
Having arrived in Boulder earlier this summer, Woods, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back, is aiming to master Colorado's playbook and insert himself into a veteran group of safeties that is led by juniors Isaiah Lewis, Curtis Appleton and Chris Miller along with tested sophomore Mark Perry.
So far into camp, Woods has received a few compliments from his fellow safeties.
“Trevor’s got great ball skills," Lewis said. "He’s shown up and even being as young as he is, he’s got a pretty good grip on the playbook and is able to make plays. I think he’ll be able to contribute this season.”
“He’s been here all summer, he’s worked hard in the weight room and he’s getting the playbook really, really fast," Appleton said. "When somebody can come in and start to comprehend that — because it’s faster than the high school level — when you can come in and comprehend when you make a mistake to fix it on your next rep or understand it, it’s really helpful. It definitely builds depth in the room and competition.”
Position coach Brett Maxie, who also serves as CU's pass game coordinator, and who was Woods' primary recruiter last cycle, likes where his freshman pupil is at as the Buffs enter week two of camp.
“What I’ve seen from him is (that) he goes about his business the right way," Maxie said. "He’s an 18-year-old high school kid so you know you’re going to see some part of that but in terms of his maturity, he’s probably a little bit more mature than most 18-year-olds. His football IQ is higher than most freshmen that come in for their first year."
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Wilson's full remarks from Monday:
....
Woods, Toren Pittman — we've seen what happens when injuries take their toll on position groups and if that were to be the case with the safeties this year, some young bucks may well get the call to plug holes. The same could be said up front on the d-line. We'll see where we're at at the end of this month, but Wilson seems encouraged with his younger DLs at this point in time. Good sign.
Wilson aims to develop CU's younger DLs:
While the Buffaloes return their big three up front of Terrance Lang, Jalen Sami and Janaz Jordan — the three most experienced d-linemen after Mustafa Johnson, who departed CU's program to declare for the NFL Draft this past spring — other younger players are expected to step up and plug some holes, providing depth when needed.
One such player is sophomore Na'im Rodman, who saw action, albeit limited, in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
As Wilson looks to beef up the Buffs' defensive line, Rodman has emerged as an example of the kind of improvement from year to year he hopes Colorado's younger defensive linemen will emulate.
“I believe this to my core and it’s not just coach talk, but when your fronts become great, your teams become great," Wilson said. "Every place I’ve been where you win championships, you are dominant up front. We’ve got to get more guys going in that direction and I’ve been pleased with Na’im. He’s been leading that progression for us.”
In particular, freshmen Tyas Martin and Ryan Williams have the opportunity to compete and see the field in 2021.
On Tuesday, the Buffaloes put full pads on for the first time in fall camp.
While Wilson said he's been impressed with the likes of Martin and Williams thus far into things, once he can see them in full pads, it'll make it easier to formally evaluate where they're at.
“Tyas is doing great," Wilson said. "He had a great summer for how brief it was for those young guys, but again, he’s a big strong kid and he’s got the things you can’t teach: he’s got size, he’s got strength and he’s explosive. We’ll just keep building him and progressing with him every day.”
“The thing that makes Ryan Ryan is that he really enjoys the game of football," Wilson said. "...One thing he has is a great tool set and he processes at a high level.The future’s bright but he’s still a long way away — it’s just like talking about rockies. For every rookie that you start, you usually lose a game for that, so we’ll keep progressing him.”
....
Freshman safety Trevor Woods earning praise from teammates and coaches:
Trevor Woods enjoyed a standout career at James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, where he racked up 305 career tackles, 20 of which were for loss.
Having arrived in Boulder earlier this summer, Woods, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defensive back, is aiming to master Colorado's playbook and insert himself into a veteran group of safeties that is led by juniors Isaiah Lewis, Curtis Appleton and Chris Miller along with tested sophomore Mark Perry.
So far into camp, Woods has received a few compliments from his fellow safeties.
“Trevor’s got great ball skills," Lewis said. "He’s shown up and even being as young as he is, he’s got a pretty good grip on the playbook and is able to make plays. I think he’ll be able to contribute this season.”
“He’s been here all summer, he’s worked hard in the weight room and he’s getting the playbook really, really fast," Appleton said. "When somebody can come in and start to comprehend that — because it’s faster than the high school level — when you can come in and comprehend when you make a mistake to fix it on your next rep or understand it, it’s really helpful. It definitely builds depth in the room and competition.”
Position coach Brett Maxie, who also serves as CU's pass game coordinator, and who was Woods' primary recruiter last cycle, likes where his freshman pupil is at as the Buffs enter week two of camp.
“What I’ve seen from him is (that) he goes about his business the right way," Maxie said. "He’s an 18-year-old high school kid so you know you’re going to see some part of that but in terms of his maturity, he’s probably a little bit more mature than most 18-year-olds. His football IQ is higher than most freshmen that come in for their first year."
.....
Wilson's full remarks from Monday:
....
Woods, Toren Pittman — we've seen what happens when injuries take their toll on position groups and if that were to be the case with the safeties this year, some young bucks may well get the call to plug holes. The same could be said up front on the d-line. We'll see where we're at at the end of this month, but Wilson seems encouraged with his younger DLs at this point in time. Good sign.
