FORT COLLINS — His wide grin speaks volumes. Colorado State senior tight end Steven Walker really likes the new offense installed by first-year Rams coach Mike Bobo and his staff this spring.
“We’re not as tricky as we tried to be last year,” Walker said. “We’re just putting our hands down in the turf and getting after it.”
That’s not to say Colorado State will approach all the offensive records set last fall under then-coach Jim McElwain. Quarterback Garrett Grayson is preparing for the NFL draft, and the 2015 Rams will have an untested player, sophomore Nick Stevens or redshirt freshman Coleman Key, taking the snaps.
But the Bobo offense, Walker said, fits his personality. It’s a more conventional pro-set system and won’t spread out the tight ends as often.
“We have some motion stuff like last year,” Walker said. “But mainly it’s just putting our hand down in the turf and getting after it.
“I love this offense. I like motion too. But I like getting physical against the big guys. This year, tight ends are more at the point of attack.”
Walker, 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, showed last year that he can more than hold his own. A junior college transfer, he was pegged to be a backup until starter Kivon Cartwright went down with a season-ending ankle injury during the opening-week victory against Colorado.
How did Walker respond? All he did was catch 30 passes and earn all-Mountain West first-team honors by a vote of the conference’s coaches and media.
“We saw in practice that (Walker) had the potential to be that guy,” said Stevens, who was the top backup to Grayson last fall. “I wasn’t surprised when he came out and did what he did. Not everyone is able to see the guys that are behind star players. Day in and day out, he just got better.”
Walker was lightly recruited as an undersized high school offensive lineman at Wichita (Kan.) Heights High School. Coaches at Butler County (Kan.) Community College told Walker they would take a chance on him as a tight end. He showed good hands but still was used mostly as a blocker in junior college ball, catching just 12 passes in 2013 as a sophomore.
Apparently, all Walker needed was an opportunity. Stevens said Walker doesn’t just have good hands, he has great hands.
“You know if you throw it in his area, he’s going to bring it down,” Stevens said. “He also can do something after the catch. You wouldn’t expect that from a guy that was a lineman.”
After Bobo was named to replace McElwain as CSU coach in late December, Walker watched film of about 15 Georgia games. Bobo had been offensive coordinator of the Bulldogs. Having done his homework, Walker said nothing has surprised him about what Bobo is trying to accomplish. Bobo wants the offense to be physical.
“You have to have mental toughness,” Walker said. “We saw that (from the coaching staff) even before we put pads on. You have to finish plays, finish blocks. You have to put your head down and not have any quit in your body.
“I love catching the ball and making things happen. At the same time, I love blocking. I love going against the 280s (pounders) and 300s, and seeing what I can do. It’s a challenge for me being 240. But I love pushing myself.”
The depth chart for the tight end positions seemingly has been in a state of flux all spring. Cartwright remains out, and his availability for this fall remains uncertain. Junior Nolan Peralta has been banged up. Former linebacker Danny Nwosu has worked at fullback and tight end.
Walker is the one constant. Bobo has high expectations for him.
“Steven has had very good days, and then he’s had days that are not what we wanted,” Bobo said. “But he has the ability. He’s a smart kid.”
The spring session concludes Saturday with the 11:30 a.m. “Green-and-Gold” game at Hughes Stadium.
Footnote. All-American Rashard Higgins (hamstring) is back on the practice field and at least doing work in team drills, but Bobo said it was unlikely he would play Saturday.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
Staff writer Terry Frei contributed to this story.
