Boulder – After seven practices of preseason camp, Colorado football coach Gary Barnett is gushing about what he sees.
“I really feel good about 15 or 16 guys on offense, probably 15, 16 guys on defense and our specialists,” Barnett said Wednesday during CU media day. “I don’t know how many great players we have, but I know we have a good player at every one of those positions.”
Barnett said there still is competition for the backup quarterback job, but that junior James Cox has the edge over sophomores Bernard Jackson and Brian White.
Barnett said depth at wide receiver is a concern with the loss of junior Blake Mackey for the season because of a knee injury, but has been encouraged by the progress of the offensive line and many other areas.
“I can’t remember seeing a team in better condition than when we reported for fall camp,” Barnett said. “(Strength and conditioning coach Greg Finnegan) did a great job of really working this team harder than any team we’ve worked before. He created the bonds and the chemistry you need going into camp.”
Update on Ligon
Defensive end Alex Ligon was back in the Buffaloes’ team meetings, but a timetable for his return to practice remains unknown.
Ligon, injured Tuesday in practice, still was feeling groggy from medicine used to put him under while an MRI of his upper torso was conducted. Ligon gets claustrophobic, Barnett said, and needed the medicine to be able to get through the process.
Freshman phenoms
Defensive tackle George Hypolite, tight end Riar Geer, cornerback Gardner McKay and wide receiver Jarrell Yates were identified by Barnett as freshmen who could make a quick impact.
Hypolite has stood out the most through a week of workouts, leading Barnett to proclaim: “He’ll play in the first game (Sept. 3 against Colorado State in Boulder). He’s been a real positive force for us.”
Also getting recognition were running back Kevin Moyd and defensive end Maurice Lucas. Yates, a graduate of Montbello High School, will have to wait to continue making an impact. He had arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and is out for two weeks.
