Look Ahead: Buffs Secondary Will Be Area Of Strength

BOULDER — With the onset of organized summer workouts just around the corner and the opening of football fall camp less than 10 weeks away, we continue the process of breaking down where the Colorado Buffaloes stand on a position-by-position basis.

Next up: Defensive backs.

Top to bottom, Colorado's secondary might be the strongest area on the team. The Buffs have experience and depth at every position — and the returnees are proven Pac-12 quality players.

Two years ago, Colorado finished tied for last in the Pac-12 in interceptions, finishing the season with just three — all by safety Tedric Thompson. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt and position coaches Joe Tumpkin (safeties) and Charles Clark (cornerbacks) spent the offseason making defensive takeaways a top priority, and the result was a huge jump in interceptions: CU finished 2015 with 14 interceptions, tied for fifth in the Pac-12 and just one fewer than the teams in second place.

Even better news: players responsible for 10 of those interceptions will be returning in the fall, with returning DBs having claimed eight of them a year ago.

Thompson and departed safety Jered Bell led the Buffs last year with three apiece, but several other Buffs managed to pick of at least one. Those who did so and are returning include Thompson, cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon (two each), linebackers Kenneth Olugbode and Derek McCartney with one apiece and safety Ryan Moeller with one.

Not every starter from last season is returning. The Buffs did lose three-year starter Kenneth Crawley to graduation. But Awuzie — a second-team all-Pac-12 performer who spent much of his time at nickel back last year — is expected to be a full-time corner this year, and the Buffs shouldn't miss a beat in that regard.

What we learned in spring: One of the most consistent performers of the spring was cornerback Isaiah Oliver, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore who is now listed atop the depth chart, ahead of last year's starter, Ahkello Witherspoon. Oliver is a terrific athlete (he finished seventh in the Pac-12 decathlon in the spring) who has great football instincts.

Awuzie, meanwhile, had the kind of spring you'd expect from a potential all-conference player and Thompson — an honorable mention all-league player last season — had a standout spring as well at strong safety. Moeller appears to be 100 percent healed from a traffic accident that sidelined him for a portion of last fall, and Afolabi Laguda is ready to step in as the starting nickel.

Throw in additional depth from sophomore Nick Fisher, who can play safety and corner, and the Buffs are well-stocked throughout the secondary.

What's next: Organized conditioning workouts begin next week, and they'll be important for the DBs for obvious reason — in a conference that is known for its pass-happy attacks, defensive backs have to be in premium condition to withstand the pace.

Don't underestimate the importance of the summer workout sessions, which went from voluntary to mandatory status a couple of years ago. These are the workouts when players make big strides in the speed and strength departments, and they don't have to worry about practice. More and more coaches are saying the summer workout sessions are on par with spring drills in overall importance. Players are tested initially and their progress is monitored closely throughout the summer.

Also important for the DBs this summer will be the voluntary, player-run practices that include plenty of 7-on-7 work. That's where they'll get the chance to work on their coverage skills against Buffs receivers, work that comes in handy when fall camp opens in August.

Fall camp storylines: There won't be many — if any — major position battles when camp opens, but it doesn't mean there won't be some positions worth watching.

While Oliver is listed ahead of Witherspoon at corner, there will still be some competition there, particularly if Witherspoon is fully healthy. Meanwhile, because CU's defense plays nickel so often, it will mean plenty of reps for Fisher and Laguda.

At safety, watch for Thompson to have the kind of season that could make him a first-team all-conference player. He's been steadily improving the last couple of seasons, and he will be a strong candidate for postseason honors.

If there's a major storyline, it will be the development of depth, a crucial part of any secondary in the Pac-12. Last season, Laguda did not start a single game, yet he played 237 snaps. Oliver started just two games, but played 216 snaps. Also look for newcomer Kyle Trego to make his presence felt at safety. Having enough quality DBs to cover offenses that use four and five wideouts is a must in the Pac-12 — and the Buffs should be able to fill the bill in that department this year. 

Note: CU's “pencil” depth chart is the one that has been released to various magazines around the nation for their summer preview specials. It includes players who were injured and did not participate in spring but are expected to be ready for summer drills. It does not include players who have yet to practice with the team, such as incoming freshmen and transfers.

Pencil depth chart:

Cornerback: Chidobe Awuzie, Nick Fisher, Andrew Bergner.

Free safety: Ryan Moeller, Afolabi Laguda, Daniel Talley.

Strong safety: Tedric Thompson, Nick Fisher, Cameron Beemster.

Cornerback: Isaiah Oliver, Ahkello Witherspoon, Lucas Cooper.

Incoming players who could figure into the mix: The Buffs signed four defensive backs in the spring recruiting class: high schoolers Ca'Ron Baham, Ronnie Blackmon and Trey Udoffia, and JC transfer Kyle Trego. Of the three prepsters, CU coaches believe Udoffia, a 6-1, 175-pounder, might have the best chance of coming in and earning some playing time right away. Trego, meanwhile, could come in and vie for playing time at safety right away.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu