Fort Collins – Brian Lepak is Colorado State’s postmillennium gridiron version of a Renaissance man.
He knocked out all A’s in his first semester as a business finance major (economics minor). Besides brains, he has a set of pipes, taking second place in “CSU Idol,” a campus version of the hit TV series.
Oh, yeah, as a redshirt freshman he has all but sewn up the starting job at right tackle.
“He looks like a 300-pound bookworm,” CSU offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt said. “He’s not a freshman to us.”
One might expect a product of Claremore, Okla., to belt out a country song. Lepak, who starred in musicals all through middle school and high school, chose Michael Buble’s cover of the Frank Sinatra standard “Come Fly With Me.”
“I think I’m just a normal guy,” Lepak said.
Discussing the number of spring surprises, head coach Sonny Lubick said, “We almost take him for granted now.”
Teammates won’t let “CSU Idol” fame go to his head.
“They cheered me on. But I will say I get teased. If I did sing in the shower, they’d tell me to shut up,” Lepak said.
Coaches have no intention of muzzling the newcomer with all the makings of a future leader on the line.
“We’re going to play with our offensive motto this year which is ‘play fast, play physical, play with passion.’ Be accountable,” Lepak said. “The most important thing is be tough and work as hard as you can on each play.”
Even though he was redshirting, he said “we got tired of hearing all the criticism last year.”
The combination of lack of continuity on the interior line and running back Kyle Bell’s season-ending injury before the opener combined for CSU’s worst offensive output in years.
With veteran linemen Adrian Martinez (knee surgery), Nick Allotta (hamstring) and Marvin Arnold (ankle) out, the staff has used the spring to develop depth. Redshirt freshmen Mark Starr and Guy Miller also were cited by Lubick.
Footnotes
The Rams had a hurried practice Thursday before the predicted snowstorm. Saturday’s practice is contingent on the weather. If there’s another delay, CSU might have to practice five days next week. … Punter Jimmie Kaylor is the only Mountain West representative on the Coca-Cola Community All-America list. Kaylor volunteered at several Fort Collins grade schools where he read to students and helped organize field days.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
This story has been corrected. It incorrectly spelled the name of Colorado State redshirt freshman offensive lineman Brian Lepak.
