BOULDER — Back during Phillip Lindsay’s early days on the football field at Denver South, the now redshirt senior running back at the University of Colorado lined up at receiver during seven-on-seven drills. A drill with foresight to fall Saturdays. The foundation for something that should take the Buffaloes offense far in 2017.
At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, there is no tailback in college football with better hands than Lindsay. His drop rate, 1.82 percent (minimum 30 receptions), is the lowest among returning FBS running backs, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2016, Lindsay was the Buffs’ third-leading receiver, hauling in 47 catches for 390 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown reception against USC.
“He’s always had good hands,” CU coach Mike MacIntyre said. “Thatap one of the reasons we’re able to throw it to him. He’s trustworthy with it and he can make a guy miss in space.”
The Buffaloes return a receiving unit considered the No. 3 best corps in the country, per Athlon Sports, headlined by a pair of Biletnikoff Award watch list members (Shay Fields and Devin Ross). The addition of Linsday as a safety valve in the flat for quarterback Steven Montez gives CU a key component of its offensive attack, prompting potential matchup concerns for opposing defenses.
“What are you going to do? Or you going to double up on the receivers? You leave me open,” Lindsay said. “If you account for me, who is going to double up on Shay (Fields), Devin Ross, Juwann Winfree, Bryce Bobo and Kabion Ento? There are so many weapons and a lot of NFL talent. So itap dangerous.”
Lindsay, who led the Pac-12 with 16 rushing scores, says he spent all summer with CU’s wideouts, fine-tuning his routes and explosion. MacIntyre added he’s also improved his squat weight by more than 50 pounds. It all matches up with Lindsay’s football mantra entering his final season in Boulder.
“My pops always taught me to be an all-around running back, starting from running inside,” Lindsay said. “Then you’ve got to be able to have moves, let your body take control of you, muscle memory, and the third is being able to catch the ball.”