BOULDER — It’s all still so brand new to Tyler Hansen. The uniform of the Colorado Buffaloes, Boulder, college life.
But the one thing that is so familiar to him — throwing a football — has made his first practices with the Buffs seem like old times.
Hansen, a true freshman quarterback, admits that everything besides football has been an eye-opener so far since he arrived in Boulder from Temecula, Calif.
“I’m learning so much every day, not just about football,” said Hansen, listed at 6-feet, 1/2-inch and 180 pounds. “There’s a lot of great people around Boulder, and it’s great to be around them.”
Classes haven’t started yet on campus, so Hansen said football is “pretty much 24/7” for him right now. There is a lot for Hansen to learn, with CU’s new, no-huddle offense and other differences from recent high-school days. Hansen is one of six quarterbacks on the roster, and lately he has been taking snaps with upperclassmen Nick Nelson and Kyle Black.
“Right now, it’s not too bad. I’m having trouble on a couple things, trying to get all the signals and formations, and what knowing what everybody’s (tendencies) are. But I’m getting the hang of it,” Hansen said.
CU coach Dan Hawkins, whose son, Cody, is the presumed starter, says it’s too soon to pass much judgment on Hansen.
“He’s working hard. Again, it’s just a steep learning curve for him,” Hawkins said. “So, it’s hard. But I think he’s a competitor and he can run around, and he’s a smart guy. I think it’s just a question of getting the timing together and everything right now.”
Hansen knows he is not likely to play much, it at all, this season. But “you never know”, he said.
“For me, it’s just about doing what the coaches tell me and controlling what I can control,” Hansen said.
Let the hitting begin
The Buffs will practice in fulls pads Saturday for the first time.
Hawkins does not believe it will be very disorienting for his players, based on what they’ve done already.
“They pretty much go full-speed anyway,” Hawkins said. “They still practice very much the same way. And I’ve sort of learned over the years that you need to be careful, that first day of pads. Guys get all amped up and smack each other around and people can get hurt.
“You’re kind of reaching that point right now where your body starts singing to you a little bit. So, the veteran guys know they’ve really got to do a good job of taking care of their bodies — getting in the cold tub and doing a nice job with therapy. And that’s something that the young kids have to learn a little bit.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
