FORT COLLINS — With less than three weeks left until Colorado State begins the college football season against Oregon State, the Rams’ Week 1 depth chart for Aug. 26 is taking shape.
CSU completed a 100-plus play scrimmage Saturday as part of its at the nearly completed on-campus stadium. Head coach Mike Bobo spoke with reporters following the action and identified four newcomers who impressed as players to watch heading into fall.
1. Freshman receiver E.J. Scott (6-1; 185; Powder Springs, Ga.)
Scott turned down SEC scholarship offers (Mississippi State and Vanderbilt) to sign with the Rams in 2017. He hauled in five catches for 87 yards in the public scrimmage, but also showed signs of youth with one fumble.
“I thought E.J. did a nice job, he made a lot of plays, one-on-one battles, going up and getting the ball,” Bobo said.
2. Freshman defensive lineman Ellison Hubbard (6-1; 270; Loganville, Ga.)
Hubbard tallied 58 tackles, eight sacks and 28 quarterback hurries as a senior at Grayson High School. He was a force Saturday with three tackles, one sack, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.
“He was in the backfield all day, we could not block him,” Bobo said. “He made a lot of plays and had a lot of opportunity to make a lot more. He’s a guy thatap got a chance to be a very good player for us.”
3. Freshman safety Jadon Walker (6-0; 175; Lithia Springs, Ga.)
Walker might be a defensive back, but he thinks like a quarterback, the position he starred at for Chapel Hills High School. As a senior, he threw for 1,074 yards, rushed for 895 and combined for 18 touchdowns — athleticism translating to a new position.
“Jadon Walker was making some plays,” Bobo said.
4. Redshirt freshman running back Rashaad Boddie (6-0; 225; Sammamish, Wash)
CSU has three running backs (Dalyn Dawkins, Izzy Matthews and Marvin Kinsey) who combined for 407 carries last fall. The Rams might need to make room for another rusher after Boddie ran in for two scores Saturday.
“He’s got to get a little bit better with his vision running the ball, but he’s a runaway train back there,” Bobo said. “He has improved so much from his first year. I’m really proud of the way he’s progressed.”