Boulder – Quarterbacking duties at Colorado will have a different look this year, even if returning starter Bernard Jackson wins the No. 1 job again.
Jackson, a senior-to-be from Corona, Calif., was hard to spot Saturday in the Buffaloes’ fourth spring practice. In addition to having short hair and donning a new number, Jackson didn’t take many snaps when the practice turned to scrimmaging.
Splitting snaps in the live action at Folsom Field were junior-college transfer Nick Nelson and redshirt freshman Cody Hawkins. Both first-year spring participants had success leading an offense that was short on linemen because of low returning numbers and injury.
Jackson said it wasn’t easy looking like the No. 3 quarterback, but he knows the coaches are trying to get Nelson and Hawkins caught up before the race for the No. 1 job begins.
“It’s part of the plan, so I just have to be patient, hang in there and see what happens,” Jackson said.
Jackson switched to No. 10, his number in high school. Hawkins took Jackson’s old No. 7 – free of charge.
“I should have charged him,” Jackson joked.
CU coach Dan Hawkins, Cody Hawkins’ father, said charting the three quarterbacks would begin this week.
“(We’re) trying to force-feed those two guys a little bit and obviously bring Bernard along,” Dan Hawkins said. “It’s not that we’re ignoring Bernard at all.”
Catching on
Wide receiver Dusty Sprague caught 11 passes for 179 yards last season as a junior. His 16.3-yard average was tops on the team among players with at least 10 catches.
Sprague was impressive Saturday, and Hawkins thinks the 6-foot-4 speedster from tiny Holyoke could double his catches and yardage this year.
“Clearly,” Hawkins said. “He’s one of those guys that is much more confident. One of the great things about Dusty is how much pride he takes in his game.”
Sprague said he would pay attention to his statistics only if the team wins regularly.
Injury update
Wide receiver Scotty McKnight (sprained ankle) and safety Ryan Walters (slight concussion) didn’t make it through the practice, but neither injury is considered serious.
Offensive lineman Daniel Sanders was held out because of a knee injury, leaving the Buffs with just three experienced linemen.
Offensive lineman Erick Faatagi, wide receiver Chase McBride and tight end Devin Shanahan remain unavailable.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
