BOULDER — Not only has converted tight end Nate Solder become entrenched at offensive tackle, the towering sophomore-to-be already has shown enough in Colorado’s spring practices to be in the mix for a starting job this fall.
“Nate has all the tools,” CU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. “When he changed positions, right away he’s way quicker and faster and more agile than any of the other guys. He has tremendous, tremendous upside.”
Now if Solder can just put on a few more pounds. A former all-stater at Buena Vista, Solder was listed at 6-feet-8 last season and played tight end in the Independence Bowl at 260 pounds. He admits to actually measuring 6-9 in bare feet and says his weight is up to 280, thanks to consuming four or five meals a day.
We should all be so lucky.
“And it’s three or four plates at every meal,” Solder added, “plus protein shakes after I exercise.”
Solder worked at left tackle with the first team Saturday during the first spring scrimmages, where he protected quarterback Cody Hawkins’ blind side. Last year’s starting right tackle, sophomore Ryan Miller (6-7, 315), also is competing for the starting job on the left side, as are redshirt freshmen Ethan Adkins (6-4, 295) and Sione Tau (6-5, 320). All the tackles are working on the left and right sides during spring drills.
“I have to take as much from every practice as I can,” Solder said. “The good thing is, a lot of (blocking) stuff does translate from tight end. Having the length definitely helps, using your long arms. And with longer legs, you take bigger steps and get to a spot quicker.”
Grimes hopes Solder can approach 300 pounds by August drills.
Another order of cheeseburgers, please.
Scott eligible.
Coach Dan Hawkins confirmed that incoming blue-chip running back Darrell Scott has gained his academic eligibility for the 2008 season. Hawkins said Scott will not enroll at CU in early June, as some signees do, because the high school academic calendar of Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure will not be completed in time.
Scrimmage observations.
Cody Hawkins threw three touchdown passes Saturday in the first live action of the spring at Folsom Field. As expected, the offense looked ahead of the defense, which is missing some players.
Testing out a hurry-up offense and using hand signals given from the sideline, the offense kept a brisk pace, enabling coaches to get in 140 plays in about two hours.
“We were clicking and the chemistry was good,” Cody Hawkins said. “But we have a lot to work on.”
Hoops recruits.
Colorado would like to add two players. Top targets include Wesley Witherspoon, a 6-8 forward at Berkmar High School in Lilburn, Ga., and 6-2 guard Devon Dumes of Vincennes University (junior college) in Indiana. Both visited CU recently.
Witherspoon also has listed Memphis, Texas and Virginia as possibilities. Dumes also is considering UTEP, Ohio State, Alabama and Arkansas.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
