Fort Collins – It’s a strange set of numbers on the Colorado State practice field these days. When the coaches order the “ones,” or first team, on the field, three linebackers want to run out for just one position.
With 18 full- or part-time starters returning for the Rams, starting assignment battles are minimal.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Ricky Brewer just hopes he can run onto the field when the first team lines up for the Sept. 1 opener against Colorado at Invesco Field at Mile High. The Denver resident and Mullen High School grad is eager to play on the Broncos’ home turf. As if extra incentive were needed, Brewer had committed to CU shortly after his junior season, only to change his mind in December of his senior year.
“It’s still unclear. The competition is still big between us,” Brewer said of sophomore Sedric Patterson and junior-college transfer Curtis Cornelson. “At this point no one is really concerned for selfish reasons. We want to make the team better. We’re all helping each other.”
CSU defensive coordinator Steve Stanard isn’t giving any hints about a frontrunner – at the three-man strongside linebacker spot or the Jake Pottorff-John Clark battle at the weakside.
“We’re still trying to figure out who wants the job at (strong side),” Stanard said. “One day one guy looks like he wants it and the next day he doesn’t. We’re trying to find someone with a consistency in play.
“Ricky’s trying. He’s young mentally and physically. He certainly has the talent to do it. That’s part of being young, finding the consistency.”
CSU coach Sonny Lubick and Stanard are certain Brewer will see playing time and will contribute on special teams.
“It’s very close to call there,” Lubick said. “They all show flashes.”
Even at that, Brewer is a rarity. His entire class was redshirted last fall, and with so many returning players in the two-deep, only a handful will see much playing time this fall.
Stanard looks at Brewer as a poster child for the benefits of a freshman redshirt year. He pulled a 3.75 grade point and gained nearly 20 pounds.
“He did a nice job in the classroom. He did a nice job in the weight room,” Stanard said. “That’s what’s nice about redshirting, it gives a guy a year to figure it out. He could be a starter, he could be third-string. That can be said for all of them.”
The days of football only are winding to a close with classes starting Monday.
“Everyone looks forward to the first day of school,” Brewer said. “You still have to focus on that game Sept. 1. School will be a relief for us, I’m looking forward to school starting.”
Footnotes
Defensive tackle Blake Smith was excused from practice to attend a friend’s funeral out of state. … The players get a break from practice today while Lubick heads to Denver for the annual Mountain West Front Range Kickoff Luncheon.
Staff writer Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
