FORT COLLINS — On the first day that Colorado State put on pads, two defensive ends stood with pent-up aggression on the sideline.
Fifth-year senior Tommie Hill, who led the Rams in sacks with 5 1/2 a year ago, is still awaiting full medical clearance from offseason shoulder surgery. He made a big impression on the new staff before injuring his shoulder in spring ball. Still, the former Arapahoe High School standout frets about losing his starting job.
“It’s hard to be on the sideline watching everyone,” Hill said. “The others are playing like they are starting, and I have to come back and win my job back.”
Case in point is newly converted junior defensive end Jake Pottorff, who joined Hill on the sideline midway through practice because of violating policy by making a hit on a crossing wide receiver.
Pottorff, from Greeley West High School, missed the spring after shoulder surgery. Redshirt freshman Mychal Sisson took over. Exceeding 250 pounds on a 6-foot-4 frame, the coaches moved Pottorff to the line.
He’s only vaguely aware of CSU’s history of finding some of its best defensive ends elsewhere on the roster. At the start of defensive coordinator Larry Kerr’s first tenure with the Rams, linebacker Sean Moran moved to defensive end. Moran went on to a lengthy NFL career.
Eventual NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter switched midway through his career from H-back to defensive end.
“I don’t know if I’d put myself in a category with those guys,” Pottorff said. “It’s fairly common for a linebacker who gets a little too heavy to move down to end. It’s a natural progression.”
He isn’t looking to add more bulk but said, “I have to keep eating through camp so I don’t lose any (weight).”
Last season Hill rewarded the former staff for its patience with his annual summer-school drama when he started nine games. Every summer, the defensive line depth chart awaited Hill to complete a huge summer-school course load. This year he’s down to two classes and is on track to get his degree.
“My academic adviser helped me quite a bit keeping me on schedule,” Hill said.
He hopes to gradually get in the mix more this coming week as the Rams begin two- a-days. “It’s a day-to-day thing,” Hill said. “A few more reps each day.”
Junior college transfer Sam Stewart saw more work Saturday. Senior Wade Landers is entrenched at one position, but ideally the coaches want to rotate four defensive ends.
Hill welcomes Pottorff’s arrival in the defensive line meetings. “I love it. He brings speed from linebacker’s position to defensive end. He already knows the defense. He’s going to be real good.”
Matt Rupp, the most veteran interior lineman, said of Pottorff, “He’s got good quickness, great pass dropping back skills, just a natural defensive end.”
While defensive line coach Scott Brown and head coach Steve Fairchild took notice of Hill’s attributes in the spring, Hill worries his first impression won’t hold up as younger players gain experience.
“The No. 1 thing that impressed me about Tommie is natural ability,” Brown said. When Hill injured his shoulder, “it took the wind out of our sails.”
Footnotes.
A day after lashing out at the lack of productivity among the quarterbacks, Fairchild said he was much more encouraged by Saturday’s practice and saw some separation from Billy Farris. There will be some scrimmaging Wednesday and Thursday with plans for a closed scrimmage Saturday. . . . Junior college transfer Ryan Gardner caught everything in his direction. . . . Freshman receiver Blake Swain and redshirt freshman safety Jarrad McKay both sprained knees. . . . Senior safety Mike Pagnotta was excused to take care of a family matter.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
