BOULDER — No one believed Nick Kasa would be a starting defensive end at Colorado by now more than Nick Kasa.
A four-star prospect on signing day in 2009 who was lauded by one scouting service as the fifth-best defensive end in the nation, the former Legacy High two-time all-stater still is waiting to make his impact.
Kasa hasn’t dominated yet at defensive end, but this season he may make his biggest contribution to the program if he can play all along the defensive line.
“He’s a big athlete,” defensive tackles coach Mike Tuiasosopo said of Kasa’s 6-foot-6, 270-pound frame. “Hopefully, we can get a mismatch.”
The plan is to move Kasa inside on passing downs.
“It’s a little tough,” Kasa said of the new assignment. “I’m figuring it out. I just have to go through the playbook a lot to get all the plays instead of one position. I’ll do whatever I can to get on the field.”
He was on the field last season, but with only one start. His freshman year was four midseason games (ruling out a redshirt) between injuries and illness.
“He’s starting out as an end, yet in certain situations he can be an inside rusher for us,” Tuiasosopo said.
The Buffs are building depth in the preseason along the defensive front. Kasa could rotate at end with Josh Hartigan and Chidera Uzo-Diribe. He could also give a break inside to Will Pericak and Conrad Obi.
CU coach Jon Embree isn’t that fixated on starters.
“Whether you are the starter or the backup, you are going to get equal snaps,” Embree said. “Nick is going to help us a lot. He had a good camp. I feel comfortable with what he brings. He can play inside, he can play outside.”
The one place Kasa does not want to play is the offensive line. He has not regretted his celebrated decommitment from Florida, which thought about moving him to tight end.
In the future, Embree has his own theory for bringing sanity to the madness that often overtakes college recruiting.
“As far as the star stuff, I don’t pay attention to that,” Embree said. “They have zero stars when they come here.”
Footnotes.
The CU players have voted, and there are no surprises among the four captains this season. Senior quarterback Tyler Hansen and offensive tackle Ryan Miller will represent the offense, and senior defensive back Anthony Perkins and junior linebacker Jon Major will share defensive captain honors. Additionally, Embree will select a fifth captain each week, typically based on the prior week’s special- teams performances. . . . Embree said senior wide receiver Kyle Cefalo has been placed on scholarship. . . . The Buffs’ scrimmage today at Folsom Field is closed to the public.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
