Fall Camp Question: Can the skill players carry the team?
Following a very successful 2016 campaign, which ended on a overall sour note, the Colorado Buffaloes are looking to build on last season’s performance, while re-establishing themselves as one of the country’s premier college football programs. Between the competitive nature of the conference, and the Buffs two weak performances to close out last season, there is a lot of concern revolving around the Buffs ability to take the next step.
CUSportsNation.com will be tackling five burning questions that we have about Colorado football as fall camp begins this Friday.
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No. 1 - Can the skill position players carry the team?
Heading into this season, the Buffs are slotted to have five seniors starting at the offensive skilled positions. This receiving core definitely has the necessary talent and skillset to succeed. Lining up on the outside, they have Shay Fields, who ranked 5th in the PAC 12 in receiving yards a year ago, and Bryce Bobo.
In the slot they have the speedster, Devin Ross. Ross in particular seems poised to have another huge season in his final year of eligibility. The true senior is quick, agile, good at creating separation, and has the ability to create a mismatch when lined up against a linebacker or safety in coverage. He resembles a Cole Beasley type player in the sense that he has the ability to create space, and pick up chunks of yards at a time - in many cases after the catch.
Other receivers such as Juwann Winfree, Kabion Ento, and Jay MacIntyre can also make an impact on this year's team in a crowded and talented wide receiver corps.
Although the experienced wide receiving core will be instrumental to the Buffs performance this year, the player who is perhaps the most important to the Buffs success is the Tazmanian Devil, Phillip Lindsay.
The recently named captain, who played a Ezekiel Elliott like role in the Buffs run-happy offensive attack last season, will need to have a encore performance to propel the offense forward. All the cards are in play for him too. He has a good receiving core and an experienced, talented offensive line, which he clearly has developed a stronger-than-football relationship with. If there's any question about this, turn to last season’s postgame press conference following the 41-17 win against Arizona State where Lindsay insisted the entire offensive line join him. At this point, it’s clear that Lindsay is a leader who the younger guys look up to into the locker room.
Quarterback Steven Montez is obviously another key piece to Colorado's offense. He had a productive freshman season while filling in for Sefo Liufau, but now the spotlight is solely on him in 2017.
No matter how you look at it, the Buffs success next season hinges on the play of their skilled position players. Can they take the next step and become one of the most elite offensive units in college football?
Check back on Tuesday for our next Fall Camp Question story.