BOULDER — Select any day on the football calendar and Dan Hawkins will likely say it’s his favorite. Whether it’s the first day of fall practice, recruiting season or spring practice, Hawkins gets equally enthused.
“If you’re glad spring is over, if you’re glad recruiting is over, the next thing you know is they’ll be having your retirement party,” Hawkins said Monday, going into his fourth spring ball today at Colorado. With all the NCAA restrictions on offseason coaching contact, he can’t wait to get back on the field for the best teaching time of the year.
“That’s the funnest part of the job,” Hawkins said. “Just getting on the grass with them 2 1/2 hours is awesome.”
The Buffs won’t be game ready in two weeks, but he doesn’t want that until the first Saturday in September.
If fans look at the spring as a time to watch depth charts develop, nothing has changed since Hawkins’ first year. The depth chart is largely listed in alphabetical order because of the rotational nature of many positions.
Hawkins wouldn’t commit to who would take the first snap in practice today. His son Cody went into last year as the veteran QB starter, then shared with then-freshman Tyler Hansen, only to regain the lead role. The coach said reserve Matt Ballenger will get some work too.
Hawkins pointed to a relatively inexperienced group in Marquez Herrod, Eugene Goree, Conrad Obi and Will Pericak to fill the voids left by George Hypolite, Brandon Nicolas and Maurice Lucas on the defensive line.
“The nice thing about going into the fourth (season) is we’ve developed a wave of leaders,” Hawkins said. “Guys who have been around who know more football, attitude, comportment and everything that goes into it.”
Typical of every program with some continuity, Hawkins said offseason conditioning produced across-the-board improvements in size, speed and strength. He is eager to unveil the redshirts, his February 2008 recruiting class, particularly linebackers Doug Rippy and Jon Major, as well as offensive lineman Bryce Givens.
Tailback Rodney Stewart and offensive tackle Ryan Miller are completely healed after their seasons ended with broken legs. Hawkins said sophomore Darrell Scott is in good shape, and he likes what Brian Lockridge has accomplished after a redshirt year. The Buffs will continue to rely on a tailback rotation. If there are schematic changes in store, Hawkins isn’t announcing them.
Footnotes.
Hawkins, who usually plans a spring break or summer adventure such as skydiving or visiting Machu Picchu, has nothing on the agenda other than becoming a grandfather in May. . . . The practice bubble held up under last week’s blizzard as the heat was turned up to immediately melt the snow.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
CU spring
Biggest position battles: It wouldn’t be spring in Boulder without snow on the ground and some competition at quarterback. Two-year starter Cody Hawkins shares the job with freshman Tyler Hansen, and 6-foot-4 sophomore Matt Ballenger will figure in the mix. There are some huge holes to fill on the defensive line and at free safety. Center is the only position on the offensive line without some starting experience.
Reported early: None for spring.
Injured: OG Maxwell Tuioti-Mariner (knee).
Key dates: First practice today. Coaches clinic starts Thursday; scrimmages April 11 (high school junior day) and April 17. Spring game April 25, 1 p.m. All practices are open to the public, but no video cameras are allowed.
Big question: With three solid recruiting classes and significant graduation losses across the Big 12, is this the year the Buffs make a move in the North Division?
Wait until the fall: For Legacy DE Nick Kasa, CU’s third straight best instate recruit; WR Terdema Ussery of Dallas could help out with depth at the position, along with JC transfer Andre Simmons, if the latter qualifies academically.
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
