Kansas City, Mo. – Texas coach Mack Brown, whose responses usually don’t run fewer than 700 words, employed economy Tuesday when discussing the transfer of star running back Ramonce Taylor.
“Yes, Ramonce Taylor had decided to transfer,” Brown said in his team’s news conference during the second day of Big 12 media days. “We first want to thank him for all he’s done at the University of Texas and wish him good luck.”
The presence of super-sophomore running back Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 878 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, softens the blow of Taylor’s departure. But Taylor’s versatility in the running game and as a receiver and kick returner (a team-leading 1,219 all-purpose yards, plus 15 touchdowns) last season, will be missed.
What won’t be missed, however, was the trail of trouble that followed Taylor after the Longhorns’ 41-38 Rose Bowl victory over Southern California. He did not participate in spring football because of academic issues and has a case pending from a marijuana possession arrest in May.
In a statement, Taylor, who has not announced which school he will attend, said: “Frederick Douglass once said, ‘No struggle, no progress.’ I’ve had my share of struggles, and now it’s time for progress.”
Crosby kicks punting
All things considered, Mason Crosby would rather not punt.
The critically acclaimed Colorado senior said Tuesday he’s putting all of his concentration on place-kicking and expects someone else to do the punting.
“I’m focusing more on kicking and kickoffs,” Crosby said. “Punting is going to be kind of secondary. If I need to do it, I’ll do it, but I hope other guys can step up and take over. We just need a guy that will get it accurately down the field 45 yards and let us go cover it.”
CU coaches floated the idea of utilizing Crosby’s leg strength as a punter during the spring, as they began searching for a replacement for John Torp, a senior last season.
Colorado recruited redshirt freshman Matt DiLallo from Florida as a punter, and after a shaky spring Crosby said he has seen improvement in DiLallo’s game.
“Matt has been punting well this summer,” Crosby said. “Hopefully he’ll step up in the fall and not let any pressure get to him.”
Brotherly advice
Offensive lineman Brian Daniels will graduate before his younger brother, Shawn, gets to CU’s campus next season, but is happy his sibling will wear the black and gold just the same. Asked how much influence he had in Shawn’s decision, Daniels said he stayed out of it – mostly.
“I gave him a nudge and told him not to go to CSU,” Daniels said, smiling. Shawn is a senior-to-be at Mullen High School.
Barnett’s influence
Coach Dan Hawkins said former Buffs coach Gary Barnett was a big reason he took the CU job.
“He believes in Colorado, thinks it’s a great place,” Hawkins said. “He has just been awesome through the whole thing, always ‘If you need anything, call me.’ He was the first person I called when I got the job. I respect Gary. I do.”
Footnotes
Colorado is holding an “elite” camp this weekend, in which 80 players are expected to participate. … Safety Dominique Brooks (knee), receiver Michael Kachmer (knee) and receiver Charlie Sherman (ankle) are out of training camp with injuries. Defensive end Alex Ligon (pectoral muscle) will be limited during camp. Meanwhile, receiver Blake Mackey (knee) has been cleared for full participation during training camp.
