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Henderson: 12 Players To Watch Entering August Camp

kyle h

Buff Heisman
Feb 3, 2005
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To get you ready for August Camp Coverage, here is the completion of the top returning players in each class as well as incoming players heading into 2016. Samson Kafovalu was not added as I did not know his status prior to writing these features. Also, the sophomores only have 9 prospects as Patrick Carr transferred. I had him as the No. 1 sophomore going in. All feedback is welcomed and wanted.

Top Returning Seniors

No. 1 Returning Senior: Chidobe Awuzie - Defensive Back
6-foot-0, 205
Hometown: San Jose, California
High School: Oak Grove
2015 Stats: 78 unassisted tackles, 10 pass breakups, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions
Our Take: You take a player like Awuzie to PAC 12 Media Day for a reason. The senior defensive back not only the represents the veteran experience of an upperclassmen, but he’s earned his role as a team leader. As a junior Awuzie recorded 78 unassisted tackles, 10 pass breakups, and played in all 13 games for Colorado with 2 interceptions. As a sophomore in 2014 he recorded 57 solo tackles, and as a freshmen he played in 12 games with 34 solo tackles. One stat that is not nearly highlighted enough is the fact that he has came up with a total of 21 third down stops over the last two years, bigger stat than you realize when it’s a game of inches and field position. When you pair a player like Awuzie up with teammates Tedric Thompson, Ryan Moeller, and Ahkello Witherspoon, you really have to have respect for the Buffs’ secondary unit as a whole from an opposing team’s perspective.

No. 2 Returning Senior: Tedric Thompson - Safety
6-foot-0, 205
Hometown: Valencia, California
High School: Valencia
2015 Stats: 58 solo tackles, 9 pass breakups, 3 interceptions
Our Take: Tedric is another key player in the secondary returning for Colorado that played in all 13 games during the 2015 season as a junior. Thompson in total played in 882 games (second most behind Awuize) and recorded 58 unassisted tackles and led the team in interceptions with three. His biggest games last year were against Conference foes Oregon where he came up with 9 tackles and three third down stops, also against Washington State where he recorded an interception, 6 tackles, and 3 third down stops. In total Thompson has played in 33 games for the Buffs. Thompson’s bloodline runs deep with football talent, his older brother Cedric drafted into the NFL During the 2015 season was a 4-year starter at Minnesota and is currently on the roster of the New England Patriots. The Buffs have quite a bit of experience in the secondary, you could argue it’s their best as a whole on the team.

No. 3 Returning Senior: Sefo Liufau - Quarterback
6-foot-4, 235 pounds
Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
High School: Bellarmine Prep
2015 Stats: 214-344, 2,684-yards passing with 9 TDs, 6 INTs
Our Take: Liufau played in 11 games as a junior before suffering a Lisfranc injury to his left foot during Colorado’s 27-24 loss to USC last season, missing the Buff’s final two games of the season against Washington State and Utah. Liufau is going to have a ton of talent split out wide and if he’s healthy and finds a rhythm with his talented receiving corps, surpassing his 3,200-yard/28 touchdown mark he set during is sophomore year is something that is very doable. He's been cleared, he's ready, he's the man at quarterback heading into 2016.

Complete List of Seniors
July 1st - Top 10 Senior Countdown: No. 10
July 3rd - Top 10 Senior Countdown: No. 9
July 5th - Top 10 Senior Countdown: No. 8
July 8th - Top 10 Senior Countdown: No. 7
July 12th - Top 10 Returning Seniors: No. 6
July 18th - Top 10 Returning Seniors: No. 5
July 25th - Top 10 Returning Seniors: No. 4

Top Returning Juniors

No. 1 Returning Junior: Phillip Lindsay - Running Back
5-foot-8, 190 Pounds
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
High School: Denver South
2015 Stats: 680 yards and 6 touchdowns
Our Take: It is unlikely that Colorado has a featured back during the 2016 season due to the fact that they have so much depth at the position, however Lindsay is by far the most experienced back returning. During his sophomore season Lindsay ran for a team high 680-yards off 140 attempts scoring six touchdowns. His average of 4.66 yards per carry is not eye popping, he only rushed over 100-yards once during the season (against Nicholls State), but what does stand out is he led the team in 10+ yard pick ups with 17. He could be considered a big play threat because of that stat alone if he is to get the rock more during the year. Last year five running backs carried the football at least 50 times for the Buffs. As a receiver out of the backfield, Lindsay caught for 211-yards, and also returned kicks at times. More recently, Lindsay impressed during the Colorado Spring Game rushing for 83-yards of just 7-carries, that is an impressive 11.9 average, with a longest of 47-yards. The running back unit really needs to shine in 2016 and if one guy is going to take the reins as “The Guy” it’s going to be Lindsay. Breakout season could be on the verge.

No. 2 Returning Junior: Shay Fields - Receiver
5-foot-11, 180 Pounds
Hometown: Bellflower, California
High School: St. John Bosco
2015 Stats: Caught for 598-yards off 42 receptions, and 4 touchdowns
Our Take: With the departure of Colorado’s leading receiver Nelson Spruce, you have to think Shay Fields is going to rise up to fill that void. Fields had a big season as a sophomore hauling in 598-yards off 42 receptions (2nd on the team behind Spruce). He caught 4 touchdowns, had a longest reception of 72-yards, and had a very notable 19 plus 10-yard receptions. Last year’s conference game against Arizona as Fields lit up the Wildcats when he caught 8 receptions for 168-yards and 2 touchdowns. He played in 12 out of 13 games as a sophomore and as a freshman he started in 10-games and caught 50 balls for 486-yards. While there is some big time additions to the receiving corps, Fields has already proved over the last two years to be a dependable target. Expecting no less from Fields going into this season.

No. 3 Returning Junior: Derek McCartney - Linebacker
6-foot-3, 240 Pounds
Hometown: Westminster, Colorado
High School: Faith Christian
2015 Stats: 70 total tackles, 5 sacks, 16 quarterback pressures,
Our Take: The secondary as well as the defensive line for Colorado has plenty of returning veterans, and so does the Buffs’ Linebacking Corps with Derek McCartney returning. As a junior in 2015, McCartney out of Westminster, Colorado played in 648 snaps ending the year with 70 tackles and 5 quarterback sacks which second most on the team behind Jimmie Gilbert who lead the team with 6 sacks. McCartney is one of the biggest weight wise backers checking in at 240 pounds, but he is still athletic enough to chase down quarterbacks, in-fact he led the team last year in quarterback pressures with 16 and also had 8 key third down stops. As a red-shirt freshman he played nearly 500 snaps and recorded 34 tackles. Against USC last year he recored 7 solo tackles, two for losses, and a quarterback sack. The linebacking unit could be the defense’s most underrated corps going into the year with Addison Gillam, Rick Gamboa, Jimmie Gilbert, Kenneth Olugbode, and McCartney all returning. Hard not to like what McCartney adds to the backers.

Complete List of Juniors
July 1st - Top 10 Junior Countdown: No. 10
July 3rd - Top 10 Junior Countdown: No. 9
July 3rd - Top 10 Junior Countdown: No. 8
July 8th - Top 10 Junior Countdown: No. 7
July 12th - Top 10 Returning Juniors: No. 6
July 21st - Top 10 Returning Juniors: No. 5
July 27th - Top 10 Returning Juniors: No. 4

Top Returning Sophomores

No. 1 Returning Sophomore: Isaiah Oliver - Corner
6-foot-1, 185 Pounds
Hometown: Goodyear, Arizona
High School: Brophy Prep
2015 Stats: 19 total tackles
Our Take: Oliver played in 9 games out of 13 as a true freshman and recorded 19 total tackles. Though he played just 216 snaps, Oliver finished with 6 pass breakups, which was actually 4th overall on the team. Oliver showed well during the spring game as well coming up with several key plays and should see much more playing time during 2016 being a part of a very talented Colorado Secondary. During high school Oliver was an All-State Selection in Arizona, hauling in more than 1,352-yards playing receiver, blocked nearly 9 kicks on special teams, and is known to having a vertical jump of close to 38 inches. Big things expected from Oliver not only in the future, but quite possibly this year as well.

No. 2 Returning Sophomore: Rick Gamboa - Linebacker
6-foot-0, 230 Pounds
Hometown: Sylmar, California
High School: Chaminade College Prep
2015 Stats: 96 total tackles
Our Take: Played in all 13 games for Colorado during the 2015 season, in total he played in 719 defensive plays, 4th most on the defensive side of the football. Hard to believe Gamboa is just a redshirt sophomore having contributed so much as a redshirt freshmen. At 230 pounds he has a big body and on film he’s been known to chase down backs on swing routes and had 4 quarterback pressures last season. In the final two games of the season against Washington State and Utah, Gamboa recorded an incredible 23 total tackles.

Complete List of Sophomores
July 1st - Top 10 Sophomore Countdown: No. 10
July 4th - Top 10 Sophomore Countdown: No. 9
July 6th - Top 10 Returning Sophomores: No. 8
July 9th - Top 10 Returning Sophomores: No. 7
July 14th - Top 10 Returning Sophomores: No. 6
July 22nd - Top 10 Returning Sophomores: No. 5
July 27th - Top 10 Returning Sophomores: No. 4

Top Returning RS Freshmen

No. 1 Returning RS Freshmen: Steven Montez - Quarterback
6-foot-5, 230 Pounds
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
High School: Del Valle
2015 Stats: NA
Our Take: Entering his redshirt freshmen season it’s likely that Montez is called on to get reps. Without us knowing exactly how healthy Sefu Liufau is entering fall camp there is even a possibility that Montez makes a push for the starting role. While there is a slim possibility of that happening, Montez has the size, athleticism to make an impact. The only thing he is lacking at this point is game experience. During his high school career at Del Valle High School Montez threw for 6,500-yards and 86 touchdowns. He’s got a ton of upside, he’s obviously going to get better as we move forward, and he could certainly be the dependable future Colorado Quarterback that is needed.

No. 2 Returning RS Freshmen: Tim Lynott - Offensive Line
6-foot-2, 300 Pounds
Hometown: Parker, Colorado
High School: Regis
2015 Stats: NA
Our Take: Colorado Fans have to be happy about having this rising offensive linemen star on the roster. There are few freshmen that will start or even see playing time this year, Lynott is one redshirt freshmen that has been dubbed to even start according to some preseason magazines. Even if he doesn’t start, he’s going to bring his dominate presence to the trenches to add depth up front. Having guards is a commodity at any level, Lynott should be due for a big year and a big overall career at Colorado. He was an All-State Selection coming out of Regis and did not allow a quarterback sack over his last two years of high school. Buff Nation has someone special on the come up.

Complete List of RS Freshmen
July 2nd - Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 10
July 4th - Top 10 Redshirt Freshman: No. 9
July 6th - Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 8
July 9th - Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 7
July 14th: Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 6
July 22nd - Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 5
July 30th - Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 4
August 1st - Top 10 Redshirt Freshmen: No. 3

Top Incoming Players

No. 1 Incoming Player: Beau Bisharat - Running Back
6-foot-3, 215 Pounds
Hometown: Carmichael, CA
High School: Jesuit
2015 Stats: 113 rushes, 1,036 yards rushing, 7 touchdowns, 15 catches, 189 yards receiving, and 2 touchdowns.
Our Take: This former Stanford commit spurned a number of top tier programs across the country to play his college football in Boulder. Even with his lengthy frame, he will get an opportunity to play running back first with the Buffs and has the versatility to make an impact with the football in his hands. He battled an ankle injury as a senior and could not match his jaw dropping junior year numbers (nearly 2,500 rushing/receiving yards and 35 touchdowns) but is among the top recruits to pick Colorado in the Class of 2016. Bisharat decided late to sign with the Buffaloes after earning four stars as rated by Rivals.com. He also shined at linebacker and had a number of colleges wanting to land his skills on defense.

No. 2 Incoming Player: Juwann Winfree - Wide Receiver
6-foot-2, 210 Pounds
Hometown: Englewood, NJ
Junior College: Coffeyville
2015 Stats: 55 receptions, 837 yards receiving, and and 7 touchdowns.
Our Take: Winfree proved to be one of the top Junior College recruits within the Class of 2016 before the CU coaching staff was able to land his commitment. This former Maryland Terrapin has made the rounds since graduating high school but hopes to have found a home that will allow him to showcase his athleticism. He averaged over fifteen yards per catch and will hopes to battle for playing time early on during his stay in Boulder. Pittsburgh and Memphis were two other programs considered before a late January visit to Colorado helped sway this playmaker.

Complete List of Incoming Players
July 2nd - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 10
July 4th - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 9
July 7th - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 8
July 11th - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 7
July 18th - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 6
July 22nd - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 5
July 29th - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 4
August 1st - Top 10 Incoming Players: No. 3

All feedback is welcomed!
 
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