BOULDER — Colorado released a depth chart for the season opener early Thursday evening, but coach Dan Hawkins again cautioned depth charts do not hold much meaning in his football program.
Several positions listed in the depth chart include a player “grouping” rather than a set pecking order.
Those include x-wide receiver, z-wide receiver, tight end and tailback.
“It’s about groupings,” Hawkins explained. “On defense, you’re going to play four or five different personnel groups. On offense, you’re going to play a gazillion.
“My basic promise to these guys is, if they can do something well and do it consistently, we’re going to get them in the football game.”
Among the positions without groupings, there were several notable developments:
• True freshman Maxwell Tuioti-Mariner and redshirt freshman Blake Behrens share the top spot at right guard.
• Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Ballenger is listed ahead of senior Nick Nelson to back up Cody Hawkins.
• Junior Jason Brace apparently has won a battle with sophomore Marquez Herrod for the starting job at right defensive end.
• Junior Marcus Burton is listed ahead of junior college transfer Shaun Mohler at “will” (inside) linebacker.
• True freshman Patrick Mahnke from Mountain Vista High School is listed as the first backup to senior starter D.J. Dykes at strong safety.
• In addition to being in the tailback grouping, freshman Darrell Scott is listed as the third option as punter, behind junior starter Matt DiLallo and senior backup Tom Suazo.
Captains named.
Fullback Maurice Cantrell, center Daniel Sanders, free safety Ryan Walters and wide receiver Patrick Williams were named captains in a vote by the players. All four are fifth-year seniors. “To be a captain of a team I’ve wanted to play for all my life is definitely an honor,” Walters said.
