FORT COLLINS — To convert Colorado State’s offense from a spread to a pro-set attack, first-year Rams coach Mike Bobo needed a fullback.
That was going to require some digging, perhaps a bit of creativity. No fullbacks were listed on the CSU roster Bobo inherited because none were needed for the system employed by Jim McElwain, Bobo’s predecessor. While reviewing Colorado State’s 2014 game films, Bobo spotted his fullback. A player wearing CSU jersey No. 45, reserve linebacker Nu’uvali Fa’apito, was just crushing people on special teams.
Fast forward to spring practice — and Bobo is raving about Fa’apito, a 6-foot, 228-pound senior who looks like a perfect fit.
“I had some good fullbacks at the University of Georgia, and Nu’uvali has a chance to be as good as any of them,” said Bobo, a former Georgia quarterback and offensive coordinator.
When Bobo asked Fa’apito if he would like to give fullback a try and perhaps earn a starting job, the native Californian readily accepted the offer.
“I’d do anything for this team,” Fa’apito said. “And I’m finally going to get on the field for something other than special teams.”
Fa’apito played linebacker and fullback for La Quinta High School near Palm Springs, Calif., and was recruited as a linebacker by CSU, Boise State, San Diego State and others. But he enjoys playing offense too.
It did not take Bobo long to see that the eager senior (pronounced New-OO-val- lee Fah-ah-PEE-toh) enjoyed the physical aspects of playing fullback. An honor student in high school, he has shown to be a quick learner.
“Fullbacks can’t be scared to go in there and hit a linebacker in the mouth,” Bobo said. “(But) they also have to know a lot of the protections, a lot of the run schemes; they have to know where they fit in different zones. We have different ways of zone blocking where one time the fullback might be reading it like the tailback. One time he may be going backside and have the (defensive) end. One time he may have the linebacker.”
Fa’apito doesn’t have to feel like he’s alone in this challenge. Another former linebacker, junior Danny Nwosu, is backing him up. And the addition of a fullback is new for everybody on CSU’s offense.
“It’s definitely a change having a fullback, something we have to get used to,” said quarterback Coleman Key, a redshirt freshman. “It’s an adjustment that we’re working at. But at the end it’s going to benefit us. Nu’uvali is out here doing everything he can to learn the position. The sky’s the limit for Nu’uvali because his work ethic is bar none.”
Fa’apito said coaches have not told him if he will get any carries this fall, but during a recent scrimmage two pass plays were called for him. He caught one and dropped the other.
“I’ve got to work on that,” Fa’apito said with a grin. “I have to make the most of this opportunity.
“Fullback isn’t just running into people. There’s actually an art to it.”
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
