Boulder – Just Cody Hawkins’ luck. Shortly after being named Colorado’s starting quarterback, Hawkins learned that CU likely will be without its most explosive wide receiver for the Sept. 1 opener against Colorado State.
Josh Smith, a true freshman and one of the stars of fall camp, was hospitalized for observation Saturday evening after suffering a bruised kidney in the morning scrimmage.
CU trainer Miguel Rueda said it is doubtful Smith will be cleared to play in the opener. He is listed as out indefinitely.
“Losing J-Fly, that’s going to be big, obviously,” Hawkins said. “He brings a lot of energy, and a lot of playmaking ability.”
A 5-foot-11, 190-pound redshirt freshman, Hawkins was told by coaches during a team meeting Saturday evening that he won the starting job. Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said Hawkins performed more consistently in practices and scrimmages than Nick Nelson, a junior-college transfer.
“Nick is a great kid,” Helfrich said, “and he took it probably exactly how a competitive guy would take it – he’s still going to compete. He’s obviously disappointed. But we’re going to need that guy.
“Right now, Cody has just been practicing a little bit better. Nick took it well, and we wouldn’t have to limit things a great deal if he’s in the game.”
The announcement was made public Sunday morning following a 90-minute practice.
“I’m really excited that I get a chance to lead the Buffaloes,” Hawkins said. “But it’s also a bummer to see a friend like Nick be disappointed.”
It is believed Hawkins will be the first Division I-A starting quarterback to be the son of the head coach since Rodney Bryant played for Ohio University coach Cleve Bryant in 1989 and 1990.
CU coach Dan Hawkins said his only concern was about finding a quarterback who can move the team and not about family ties.
“(Cody) is a good kid and a good player, and I like all that stuff about him,” Dan Hawkins said. “But I’m not out here going: ‘Hey, there’s my boy. Look at my boy make plays.’
“I was jacked up when Nick made some plays. I want to score some points and win some games. I don’t care what (the quarterback’s) last name is. If he’s productive and he’s good, that’s great. I don’t look at it much different than that.”
Nelson said he had trouble keeping his head up Saturday evening but felt better about the situation after practicing Sunday.
“It’s a team sport,” Nelson said. “And I’m going to keep pushing him and trying to get better. It’s the Big 12. There’s going to be a lot of banging going on. I think I’ll get a shot eventually. It’s a long season.”
No formal announcement was made to the team. The two practices Sunday appeared to be business as usual.
“I think it helps the team feel a lot more comfortable,” Cody Hawkins said. “But as far as me, I’ve always prepared like I was the starter.”
He will miss Smith’s sprinter speed on the outside. Helfrich said Smith, a 6-foot, 180-pounder from Moorpark, Calif., has been no worse than the team’s second-best receiver during fall camp and some days he topped the list.
Team trainers aren’t certain whether Smith bruised the kidney when he fell after taking a hard hit following a reception or when he ran three-quarter speed into a retaining wall in the southwest corner of Folsom Field while looking back toward the quarterback on a fade route. Smith remained hospitalized Sunday night.
Footnotes
CU announced that junior inside linebacker Marcus Burton will miss the season because of academics. … The biggest surprises on the newly released depth chart could be redshirt freshman Scotty McKnight being listed at No. 1 Z-receiver, and Idaho transfer Daniel Dykes earning co-starter status with senior Lionel Harris at strong safety. True freshmen are listed as the top backups at all five positions on the offensive line. That includes former Columbine star and Parade All-American Ryan Miller (6-7, 320) at right guard.
