Colorado State University Athletics
CSU's Vinson shows versatility
8/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2011
By Nick Frank
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Longtime Ram fans who remember Steve Hodge may see a player accomplish the same feat he did 17 years ago when they tune into the season opener at New Mexico on Sept. 3.
Junior Dominique Vinson has the unique opportunity to play both ways, offense and defense, against the Lobos.
“Yeah, he’s going to be involved in some of the nickel-dime situations over there,” said Head Coach Steve Fairchild. “Again, I said he would flip back and forth until we figure out what we want to do.”
Hodge was a critical component of the Rams back-to-back conference championships in 1994 and 1995. He played fullback and defensive tackle while leading CSU to consecutive Holiday Bowls.
Vinson, who saw action in 10 games last season, had an athletic interception fans may remember last season against San Diego State. After recovering from a shoulder surgery during spring ball, the transfer from Saddleback College started practicing with wide receivers a week ago and seems to be fitting in nicely.
Increasing depth: Now entering his fourth season with CSU, Fairchild thinks his roster is finally getting to the point where he wants it to be.
“This is the deepest we’ve been since I’ve been here and we still have some holes,” Fairchild said. “We’re getting there.”
With a true freshman captaining the offensive ship last season along with other inexperienced players, the offense was limited at times with play selection. Fairchild doesn’t expect that to be an issue this go around.
“That comes with just better players I think,” said Fairchild. “As you get faster, more explosive, that means a little more dynamic. Maybe a little more diverse, a little harder to keep a bead on; that might be where we’re headed. And a lot of that, too, you may have somebody on offense that might warrant getting a look doing something, but if you don’t have a quarterback, like last year…you just couldn’t put that on the quarterback. Yeah, there’s more options for us this year.”
Super sophomores: The Rams will have a handful of sophomores that got significant playing time last season, looking to make an even bigger impact in 2011. On the offensive side of the ball there is the center-quarterback combination of Weston Richburg and Pete Thomas. The defense boasts Shaq Bell and linebacker Mike Orakpo. Crockett Gillmore, who contributed on defense in 2010, now is slated to be the starting tight end.
“Weston Richburg was a Freshman All-American; we’re sure on him,” said Fairchild. “(Mike) Orakpo, when we put him in, he did a nice job. Shaq (Bell) played a lot of football and he’ll continue to get better. And, Crockett (Gillmore). Yeah, I’m confident they’ll all have good years for us.”
