Every position on the Colorado football team will be open to competition in spring drills, with no starting jobs guaranteed, Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins said earlier today.
That’s Hawkins’ philosophy entering each new season, he said.
“I’m totally into that,” Hawkins said. “I don’t care if you are (quarterback) Cody Hawkins, (punter) Matt DiLallo or ‘Girthy” (center Daniel Sanders). It’s been that way for a long time.
“We’ll see who wants to get in the weight room, who takes care of their studies.”
The first of 15 spring practices will begin during the week of March 17 and will conclude with an April 19 spring game, Hawkins said. There will be no practices during the week of spring break (March 23-29).
Although Hawkins said there are no immediate plans for any position changes “there will be a ton of tweaking” on offense and defense.
“You always do that,” he said. “We have to look at what we were efficient at and what we weren’t. You always want to continue to evolve, based on the people you have and based on current trends in college football.”
Hawkins mentioned several redshirt freshmen who he expects to be competitive in the spring, including defensive backs Anthony Perkins, Anthony Wright and Lamont Smith; defensive linemen Conrad Obi, Eugene Goree and Lagrone Shields; wide receiver Markques Simas; quarterback Matt Ballenger; and six offensive linemen.
“I like a lot of those guys,” Hawkins said.
Also, senior offensive guard Erick Faatagi (6-foot-2, 310 pounds) could vie for a starting job, Hawkins said. Faatagi, a former junior-college recruit from Los Angeles, missed the 2006 season due to knee surgery and 2007 because of academics.
“I like the direction we are in and where we are going,” Hawkins said, reflecting on the recently concluded 6-7 season that included an appearance in the Independence Bowl. “But we are not a canoe floating down the river. We are a swimmer in the ocean in a ‘Jaws’ movie, with people screaming at us to get to shore. There has to be that sense of urgency.”
COMINGS AND GOINGS: Hawkins said he expects the 2008 recruiting class to number 22. He also will give scholarships to two former walk-ons, sophomore receiver Scotty McKnight and senior safety Daniel Dykes, for the upcoming season. Not returning to the roster, Hawkins said, are wide receivers Alvin Barnett and Jarrell Yates and place-kicker Tyler Cope. A walk-on, Cope was CU’s regular kickoff specialist in 2007 as a true freshman but will transfer to Oregon State, where he can pay in-state tuition. Barring a surprise addition, Cope’s departure likely leaves the competition for place-kicking duties to Wyoming transfer Aric Goodman and freshman Jameson Davis, a former Idaho prep star who has served on a church mission the past two years.
Hawkins said he does not expect to lose any assistant coaches. However, staffs at several high-profile programs are still being assembled. “The coaching profession is funny — one pebble slides and a whole mountain moves,” Hawkins said.
Sophomore middle linebacker Michael Sipili is on track to return from suspension, Hawkins said. Another inside linebacker, senior R.J. Brown,will not play again after suffering a series of concussions.
As for recruiting, Hawkins said he believes each of the upcoming signees can “get in the mix early.” That could include three or four early enrollees, the coach said.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
