Do you expect the tight end position to be targeted for passing attempts in coming games? Does coach Mac want to involve the tight ends in the passing game? One more, has the juco tight end been on the field yet?
Well, through two weeks, the Buffs have not thrown a single pass to its tight ends. Against Nebraska alone, Bounds and Russell combined to play 22 snaps. I think Colorado's usage of tight ends will be very situational rather than being a regular part of the passing offense. Just like for the run game, I think Beau Bisharat won't be utilized often, but he has a niche in goal line/short yardage situations. Bounds/Russell will be used here and there. And for the JuCo tight end Darrion Jones, he did not play against Nebraska and played just eight snaps against CSU after the game was decided. I don't expect Jones to play much this season.
What does Alex Fontenot need to do to get into the RB mix/rotation?
Not sure there is anything he can do. Evans and McMillian are the guys Chiaverini likes the most for this offense right now at running back, and Bisharat has a role in the offense at times, as I mentioned. I think Fontenot can see the field in some games here and there and will certainly play in blowout games. But Evans and McMillian are the two best running backs on the roster right now.
Why was Jmac not heavily recruited by P5 out of high school?
I really don't understand the disrespect towards Jay MacIntyre, who has been nothing but hard-working, solid player for the Buffaloes over the past few years. It's just amazing to me that people question why he's on scholarship at Colorado and question him as a player in general DURING a game where he caught two touchdowns. It's just bizarre and I'm honestly done reading critical comments of Jay Mac at this point because they are just troll posts. But as for why MacIntyre wasn't more recruited heavily, I don't know. You can point to his size, level of competition, whatever you want. I bet some P5 coaches looked at MacIntyre, son of the Buffs' head coach in CU's back yard, and figured, "Why should we waste our time recruiting him when he's going to play for his dad?"
What is up with Chris Miller and Jaylon Jackson?
Jackson is still listed as "OUT" and I don't see him coming back until the UCLA game at the earliest. I think that would be a good game for him to be able to come back for. As for Chris Miller, it seemed like he was primed for a starting spot back in the spring, but he has not played yet, and to my knowledge, he's healthy too.
Why isn’t Nixon used in a more traditional slot role? He has the hands for sure.
I was surprised to see Nixon move from the slot to the X, and I asked Chiaverini about that last week, and he said that he likes Nixon's speed on the outside and ability in the outside screen game. A 5-foot-7 receiver is typically not an outside receiver and plays in the slot, but Chiaverini's offense is unique and allows Nixon to have an effective role lined up outside. Nixon runs a lot of quick screen routes, slants, and then the occasional deep route as he has the speed to blow by cornerbacks, as we saw against Colorado State. For whatever reason, Kabion Ento's stock has dropped and hasn't played much, which could have played a part in Nixon seeing more time as well.
Some data on the hits Montez took would be great. He can’t get hammered like that all season.
In looking at Pro Football Focus' data, three of seven sacks on Montez were allowed by Colby Pursell. Kaiser, Lynott, and McMillian were also charged for sacks allowed. The Buffs' best pass blocking offensive linemen was Brett Tonz, who graded a 91.3 in pass protection and did not allow any pressure. Montez did drop back 61 times against NU compared to 22 rushing attempts, so NU was able to dial up more pressure as they expected the pass. One more note: the pass protection from the running backs has to be better too. Evans and McMillian both graded pretty poorly in pass protection.
From the 2018 committed class what players or positions have coaches said or indicated that they may redshirt?
At this point, the only true freshman I'm certain will not redshirt is Israel Antwine. It also looks like Hasaan Hypolite and Daniel Arias played on special teams against Nebraska, so I'd assume they are going to continue in that role and not redshirt. Against Colorado State, Dimitri Stanley, Frank Fillip, and Ray Robinson all played, but they are allowed to play in four games and still redshirt.
Who do you predict that wide receiver Kyle Ford will commit to and who will be the next defensive lineman to commit to the Buffs?
Ford is the highest ranked uncommitted wide receiver in the country. He's playing his recruitment close to the vest. He's not really narrowing much down. We know Colorado is in the mix. He used one of his five official visits to CU in June. We also know that Washington is involved as he used an official visit there last weekend. Oregon is also a threat here, and so are the local schools in UCLA and USC. Michigan has been a factor in Ford's recruitment for quite a while too. Ford won't be making a decision anytime soon. Ford already used his OV to Colorado, so it would be huge if the Buffs got him on campus for an unofficial visit this fall.
As for defensive line recruiting, the two guys you have to look at are Siale Liku and Datona Jackson. Those two are the main DL targets we know about right now for the Buffaloes who are realistic targets. My belief is that Jackson will be the next to commit to Colorado for the D-line. I've thought for a while that he's a CU lean and I still believe that.
