FORT COLLINS — John Froland chooses not to worry.
The Colorado State sophomore defensive end has heard all of the fretting about the relative lack of size — and depth — on the defensive line. He has heard the concern about whether mostly undersized players will be able to hold up for a game, much less a season.
He has one thing to say about all of that.
“I wouldn’t have any issues or any worries, actually,” Froland said. “I think together, we’re a lot closer as a family this year. We’re going to cover all the gaps, and we have two weeks left, and we’ll have our jobs done by the time the first game comes around.”
Prospects for the line improved with Tuesday’s announcement that junior college transfer Calvin Tonga has been cleared to play. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound nose tackle has a couple of weeks to play himself into the rotation for the Sept. 1 season opener against CU.
Froland said he has put on “12-15 pounds from what I played at last year” and notes the added weight “feels good.”
Getting used to a new position is another story. An interior lineman last season, Froland is now a defensive end and will be counted on for added production.
“For me, it’s a lot different,” Froland said. “Now, I have the same responsibility as the inside, but at the same time be able to turn in a good pass rush.”
Christopher Dempsey: 303-954-1279, cdempsey@denverpost.com or
