I think we can all agree that with the type of recruit CU has gotten in the last several years, redshirting players is very important. CU's under the radar recruits have generally needed time to develop both physically and mentally before they are really ready to play well. This is especially true of the O and D lines.
Interestingly, the Buffs have a significant difference between redshirted players on offense and defense. This may go a long way to explaining why the offense is ahead of our defense in terms of on the field results/stats.
On defense, the Buffs will field a team that is mostly un-redshirted players. Non-redshirted potential starters include: Thompson (S), White (S), Crawley (CB), Awuzie (CB/Nickle), Witherspoon (CB), Gilliam (LB), Olugbode (LB), Shaver (LB/DE), Tupou (DL), Carrell (DL), Solis (DL) and Robbins (DL/DE). Just think if these players had all redshirted and we had most of them for 2 to 3 more yrs.
Red shirted defensive potential starters are: McCartney (LB/DE, greyshirt and redshirt) and Kafovalu (DL, redshirt) for sure. Jared Bell (S, 6th yr) if fully recovered and regains strength and speed is a probably starter. Not sure where a downsized Hennington fits in a 3 -4 alignment, probably not a starter. Interestingly 3 out of these 4 defensive redshirted players where medical/injury or suspension redshirts. Only McCartney was a planned redshirt/greyshirt situation.
On offensive the reverse is true. Most starters will be at least redshirted players (2 also greyshirted): Spruce (WR, 5th yr), entire OL: Irwin (LT, 4th yr), Nembot (RT, 5th yr), Kelley (C, greyshirt and redshirt)), Kough (G,greyshirt and redshirt)/Callahan (G,4th yr)/Huckins (G, 3rd yr), Irwin (TE, 4th yr), Frazier (FB/HB/TE, 3rd yr) and possible RB (Lindsay/Baltazar, both 3rd yr).
Non redshirted offensive starters are: Sefo (QB), Fields (WR) and possible RB (Adkins/Powell/Carr). Going to a 3rd slot WR, Donovan Lee is a starter .
Redshirting has definitely helped the offense especially on the OL and Spruce at WR.
Another important aspect of the redshirt situation is last years minus TO rating. Again I think we can agree the most relevant stat contributing to our bad record last year was the lack of TO's on defense and too many TO's on offense. JMO that is directly related to a lack of redshrting on D (lack of TO's) and a non redshirted/soph QB (18 TO's) on offense. Hopefully the D is at a point where their experience and comfort on the field results in more TO's and Sefo also with more experience, comfort and knowledge of the offensive results in a lot less TO's.
The good news is most of the future incoming classes will probably redshirt. JMO fewer and fewer incoming freshmen will be needed to start right away. Of course a highly skilled new player (Pat Carr maybe) can always contribute early and play right away.
Interestingly, the Buffs have a significant difference between redshirted players on offense and defense. This may go a long way to explaining why the offense is ahead of our defense in terms of on the field results/stats.
On defense, the Buffs will field a team that is mostly un-redshirted players. Non-redshirted potential starters include: Thompson (S), White (S), Crawley (CB), Awuzie (CB/Nickle), Witherspoon (CB), Gilliam (LB), Olugbode (LB), Shaver (LB/DE), Tupou (DL), Carrell (DL), Solis (DL) and Robbins (DL/DE). Just think if these players had all redshirted and we had most of them for 2 to 3 more yrs.
Red shirted defensive potential starters are: McCartney (LB/DE, greyshirt and redshirt) and Kafovalu (DL, redshirt) for sure. Jared Bell (S, 6th yr) if fully recovered and regains strength and speed is a probably starter. Not sure where a downsized Hennington fits in a 3 -4 alignment, probably not a starter. Interestingly 3 out of these 4 defensive redshirted players where medical/injury or suspension redshirts. Only McCartney was a planned redshirt/greyshirt situation.
On offensive the reverse is true. Most starters will be at least redshirted players (2 also greyshirted): Spruce (WR, 5th yr), entire OL: Irwin (LT, 4th yr), Nembot (RT, 5th yr), Kelley (C, greyshirt and redshirt)), Kough (G,greyshirt and redshirt)/Callahan (G,4th yr)/Huckins (G, 3rd yr), Irwin (TE, 4th yr), Frazier (FB/HB/TE, 3rd yr) and possible RB (Lindsay/Baltazar, both 3rd yr).
Non redshirted offensive starters are: Sefo (QB), Fields (WR) and possible RB (Adkins/Powell/Carr). Going to a 3rd slot WR, Donovan Lee is a starter .
Redshirting has definitely helped the offense especially on the OL and Spruce at WR.
Another important aspect of the redshirt situation is last years minus TO rating. Again I think we can agree the most relevant stat contributing to our bad record last year was the lack of TO's on defense and too many TO's on offense. JMO that is directly related to a lack of redshrting on D (lack of TO's) and a non redshirted/soph QB (18 TO's) on offense. Hopefully the D is at a point where their experience and comfort on the field results in more TO's and Sefo also with more experience, comfort and knowledge of the offensive results in a lot less TO's.
The good news is most of the future incoming classes will probably redshirt. JMO fewer and fewer incoming freshmen will be needed to start right away. Of course a highly skilled new player (Pat Carr maybe) can always contribute early and play right away.
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