Through the first few days of preseason camp, Colorado’s offense got the better of the defense.
The defense is starting to bite back, though.
On Tuesday, following the sixth practice of camp, CU inside linebackers coach Andre’ Hart said he’s been pleased with the progress of the defense, and his group in particular.
“Camp is an interesting thing because when you first get into it, no one knows what they’re doing,” Hart said. “Itap all been meetings and you haven’t really gotten out there and been able to move around. So, the first couple of days you’re like gosh, whatap going on? Everybody is kind of all over the place. But as we’ve gotten further into camp, things are starting to get solid, guys are getting confident, we’re moving a lot faster. We’re catching up with the tempo of the offense and itap getting real competitive out there now. So, we’re happy to see it and put on a show for you guys.”
Hartap group will play a big role in the CU defense putting on a show for fans. The Buffs appear to be loaded with talent at defensive back, but stopping the run will be vital.
The Buffs open the season at TCU (No. 31 nationally in rushing last year) and home against Nebraska, which will be more run-oriented under new head coach Matt Rhule. The Buffs face four other teams that ranked among the top 28 in rushing last year.
The inside linebackers will be counted on limit opposing run games, and competition for starting roles and playing time in that group is heating up.
“Itap a lot of competition,” Hart said. “I think the biggest thing for a coach, you look for to make sure there’s no attitude and it breaks up the room and right now they haven’t done any of that. They’ve been really jelled together and they’ve been talking to each other.”
Transfers LaVonta Bentley (Clemson) and Demouy Kennedy (Alabama) came into camp as favorites to start, but Hart has mixed in others, as well. Marvin Ham II and Jeremiah Brown are vying for starting spots, too.
“Last week, Lavonta Bentley was in that starting rotation and him and a couple other guys, I moved them down,” Hart said. “I moved Ham up and I moved Demouy up, because I just wanted to see how they were going to handle it.”
Hart said Bentley responded with “one of his best practices ever that day. So, just keeping the competition high, making sure no one gets comfortable.”
Since arriving at CU in the spring, Bentley has displayed his toughness and Hart said he’s a leader who can take the hard coaching that he gives to the players.
Kennedy, meanwhile, has exceptional speed that Hart joked, “Gets me paid. It makes me look good.”
Kennedy, now recovered from a knee injury he suffered at Alabama, made a big play against speedy running back Dylan Edwards on Tuesday. With Kennedy’s speed and play-making ability, the Buffs can use him in multiple packages and limit substitutions.
Ham, meanwhile, continues to impress Hart. The only linebacker back from the 2022 Buffs, he’s been running with the starting unit.
“He has great instincts,” Hart said. “He really understands what we’re trying to do on defense because we do have a lot of things we’re putting in as far as fronts and adjustments and he gets them. He gets all of them. He moves fast doing it.”
Brown played on the outside for Hart last year at Jackson State but has made the switch inside at CU.
“Jeremiah Brown has been doing really, really well since he’s moved back to inside,” Hart said.
The Buffs are hoping to get Florida State transfer Brendan Gant into the mix soon, too. A late arrival, he’s still going through medical clearance and hasn’t been able to participate. Hart said Gantap mental focus “has been great” to this point.
Behind the veterans, the Buffs have a trio of true freshmen – Victory Johnson, Morgan Pearson and Kofi Taylor-Barrocks – who still need some work, but have exceptional potential.
Overall, itap a group the Buffs are counting on to play well this season. But, Hart is excited about the group in the long term, as well.
“I’m set up for a little bit now,” he said. “I love what I’ve got in that room. I think they’re gonna develop into some really good linebackers.”
