Boulder – It has taken a little while, but wide receiver Alvin Barnett has started to become a player Colorado offensive coordinator Shawn Watson can count on.
“He’s made the biggest jump,” said Watson, who is also CU’s wide receivers coach. “He is night and day compared to what he was in the spring. He’s the biggest surprise out of the whole crew of receivers.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound Barnett came to Colorado this year from Northeast Oklahoma A&M, where he spent one season and caught 11 passes for 105 yards. He is as quick and elusive as any receiver on the team, said Watson, who credits Barnett’s improvement to a more thorough understanding of the offense that has allowed him to just cut loose and play.
“He’s had a really, really good camp,” Watson said.
Barnett’s progress is partially a result of participating in spring football. The sophomore enrolled at the semester break.
“I’m starting to understand concepts and plays more than I did in the spring,” Barnett said. “I’m studying the playbook more, and taking time to really get with the quarterback and people who have been in the system.”
Barnett admits he doesn’t have complete knowledge of the offense, but what he has learned has allowed him to be a more instinctual player.
“I can just go out and play and relax,” Barnett said. “I’m not thinking; I’m playing more and reacting more.”
Impact freshmen
It is said the impact of a recruiting class isn’t felt until years down the road.
CU is getting some early returns from its incoming freshman class. Three players – offensive tackle Paul Backowski, cornerback Gardner McKay and linebacker Marcus Burton – have moved to the second team on the depth chart.
McKay, from Crenshaw High School in Inglewood, Calif., is the best athlete in the group.
“Gardner McKay is a guy that coverage-wise, he is going to be ready this year,” secondary coach Craig Bray said. “Now, the physical part, I don’t know. He hasn’t shown that aggressiveness when he goes to hit you.”
McKay, 5-11, reported to camp during the summer weighing 149 pounds. He’s now listed at 160 pounds.
Coach Gary Barnett said the 6-0, 230-pound Burton has lived up to the high expectations the staff had when they recruited him from Channelview (Texas) High School. The Buffs weren’t in the market for a linebacker, but Burton stood out.
“He was a great player,” Barnett said. “He’s just what we thought we had. He’s just showing a lot of instincts. He was a really hard worker this summer. And he’s a physical player.”
Footnotes
Starting quarterback Joel Klatt was named one of 22 preseason candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which goes to the nation’s top senior quarterback. … Safety Dominique Brooks (ankle) reiterated Wednesday that he intends to be in uniform and available for the opener against Colorado State, despite CU’s initial prognosis that had him out four weeks. … Safety Ryan Walters (knee) said he will be back at practice Monday. … Reserve cornerback Corey Reid, a redshirt freshman, has left the team and will transfer to Eastern Michigan.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
