Arguably the most talented football player on Colorado’s roster last fall, cornerback Isaiah Oliver, will soon be gone to the NFL. The junior announced Dec. 1 his intention to forego his senior season and enter the NFL draft, where he is projected as a possible first-round pick.
Where do the Buffs turn from here? It appears they’ve brought in help to find the answer.
Ashley Ambrose will join CU’s staff as cornerbacks coach, , to join returning CU secondary coach ShaDon Brown in bolstering a unit often picked apart in 2017. The Buffs’ pass defense allowed 242 yards per game last season (No. 95 nationally) and 11 touchdowns through the air over the final five weeks.
CU gave Ambrose his first full-time gig as an FBS assistant, defensive backs in 2010, before he made college coaching stops at California (2011-12), Idaho (2014), Texas State (2015) and Boise State (2016-18). Among Ambrose’s pupils are former CU cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown — each selected in the 2011 NFL draft.
Ambrose also played 13 seasons as an NFL defensive back. In 1996, he earned all-pro honors with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I know we are going to win a lot of football games and I am excited to be a part of it,” Ambrose said in a news release. “The (CU) staff seemed very energetic, great guys to work with. I got a chance to talk to those guys and I’m looking forward to working with them. I’m excited about the young corners that they have there and to work with them to try to help them become better football players and young men.”
MacIntyre’s decision to split the responsibilities of a secondary coach shows a renewed commitment to stopping the pass in Boulder — a job made more difficult in a Pac-12 conference dominated by high-tempo spread offenses. In addition to hiring Ambrose, CU also promoted Brown to defensive passing game coordinator while mentoring the Buffs’ safeties.
“We’re really excited about Ashley Ambrose coming to the University of Colorado, he brings great expertise for our corners that he’ll be coaching,” MacIntyre said in a news release. “He was here before, loved it then and I am glad to have him back now. Not only does he bring great coaching experience over the last few years, but he also brings phenomenal playing experience from being in the NFL, so he’ll add a lot to our secondary.”
Notable returning CU defensive backs
Here are some CU defensive backs who will be tasked with taking a step forward in 2018:
CB Trey Udoffia: A seven-game starter last year as a redshirt freshman who battled injuries.
CB Dante Quigley: Also started seven games in 2017 as a first-year junior college transfer.
S Evan Worthington: Allowed just a 59.9 passer rating when targeted last fall, per Pro Football Focus.
S Nick Fisher: Started two games in 2017 and returned an interception 100 yards for a score against California.
Notable 2018 CU defensive backs signees
CB Delrick Abrams Jr.: The No. 80 overall junior college football prospect in the nation, per 24/7 Sports.
S Aaron Maddox: The No. 4 junior college safety prospect in the nation, per 24/7 Sports.
S Ray Robinson: Former Highlands Ranch standout who chose CU over CSU, Air Force and Brown.
S Lavon Wallace: A 6-foot-3, 185-pound high school recruit from Atwater, Calif.