Boulder – Colorado linebackers coach Brian Cabral doesn’t necessarily want anyone to look at his use of Jordon Dizon and Akarika Dawn as a starter-reserve relationship.
Think of them as co-starters. Cabral does.
In fact, both started against New Mexico State last week, but Dizon’s appearance was due as much to Thaddaeus Washington recovering from a concussion as anything else.
But because of Dawn’s versatility and strong early-season play, the starting assignments between the two are now based on the opponent’s offense. Dawn, skilled in pass coverage, is on the field at the outset against a pass-oriented attack, as New Mexico State exhibited last week. Dizon will get his starts against run-oriented teams.
Dawn, a senior who started the season as a reserve linebacker, has been one of CU’s most solid defenders through its first two games. He’s tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 11 and has a sack, an interception and a forced fumble.
Dawn “just has a knack for making plays,” Cabral said. “I think he’s more confident in the defense, understanding his role. And he’s making the most of his opportunities.”
Said CU coach Gary Barnett: “He’s a really smart football player. When I say smart, I mean he studies it, he’s got a good idea where the ball is going and he’s got a good sense of coverage. And he’s always been a good special-teams guy.”
Dawn’s not alone.
The defense has turned up another potential star in junior safety Tyrone Henderson. In the first two games, he was much more aggressive than he had been in the past. He’s tied for the team lead in tackles (15) with fellow safety J.J. Billingsley.
“He’s always known the checks, but he’s playing with more confidence,” Barnett said of Henderson. “He’s playing more physical, he’s covering better. Before, he didn’t have a lot of confidence in his coverage skills, and we didn’t either. But now he’s covering better. He’s grown up and maturing a little bit.”
There was no guarantee Henderson would start this season. He was one of five players vying for two starting safety slots. But the injury and subsequent suspension of Dominique Brooks, who would have started, opened the door.
“Tyrone had the best camp and the best preseason that he’s ever had,” Barnett said. “It’s created a lot of competition back there, and it’s given us a lot of depth. But he really has improved tremendously.”
Footnotes
Linebacker Brian Iwuh (knee) returned to practice Thursday but did not participate in contact drills. … Colorado held several players out of practice this week because of injuries. Barnett said he expects everyone to return to practice next week, however, with guard Brian Daniels (broken rib) the last player expected to get back on the field. He is projected back Tuesday at the earliest. … Brooks’ suspension has been downgraded from indefinite to “limbo” status, Barnett said. Brooks, who has not played this season, has some unspecified issues to resolve before Barnett will consider reinstating him. And even if Brooks is reinstated for the Miami game next week, Barnett said he’s not confident he will be in good enough playing condition to take the field against the Hurricanes.
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
