SHREVEPORT, La. — Losing a football game is never anyone’s idea of fun, but Colorado junior defensive tackle George Hypolite unintentionally supplied some levity following Sunday night’s 30-24 loss to Alabama in the Independence Bowl.
“We have a team that can compete for the Big 12 championship next season because we really don’t lose anything,” Hypolite said during the postgame news conference.
Oops. Joining Hypolite on the dais were two departing seniors, offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus and wide receiver Dusty Sprague.
“Sorry, guys,” Hypolite said with a smile. “We do lose some good players. But we’re going to be good next year.”
A relatively young squad (seven true freshmen played) gained valuable experience through the ups and downs of a 6-7 season. Several other talented freshmen were redshirted. And an anticipated recruiting class that will sign in February is ranked among the top 20 nationally by Internet recruiting sites.
“I’m really excited about the talent that Coach (Dan) Hawkins is bringing in here,” outgoing senior tailback Hugh Charles said of the recruits who have visited Boulder. “I’m not going to be here. But I’m always going to be a big Buff fan.”
In addition to Charles, Polumbus and Sprague, six other senior regulars must be replaced: linebacker Jordon Dizon, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, offensive guard Edwin Harrison, tight end Tyson DeVree, punt returner Chase McBride and defensive end Alonzo Barrett.
Dizon and Wheatley earned first-team all-Big 12 honors (along with Hypolite). Charles, DeVree, Polumbus and Harrison are expected to get looks by NFL teams.
Hypolite said the biggest challenge is finding a replacement for Wheatley because cover corners are so difficult to find. Whether candidates such as Gardner McKay, Jimmy Smith or Cha’pelle Brown are up to the task remains to be seen. None can match Wheatley’s sprinter speed, however.
At linebacker, the expected return of Michael Sipili from suspension and the arrival of talented recruits should soften the loss of Dizon, who led the nation in solo tackles (120) during the regular season. CU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes believes he has promising depth with a half-dozen freshman blockers coming off redshirt seasons. Junior-college transfer P.T. Gates and perhaps another blue-chip recruit or two will bolster the running corps.
“This program is definitely headed the right way; it was definitely important to get to a bowl game,” said quarterback Cody Hawkins, a redshirt freshman who threw for 322 yards and three touchdowns against Alabama. He finished the season with 3,015 yards passing and 22 TD passes.
The building has just begun, Dan Hawkins said.
“It’s better than the 2-10, to be sure,” the head coach said referring to 2006. “But this isn’t where our program wants to be. When everybody goes, ‘Great season, great season,’ I thank people and tell them I appreciate it, but I hope this isn’t (considered) a great season down the road.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
