Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Fall Camp Notebook: Day 11
8/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - One day after head coach Mike Bobo named Nick Stevens Colorado State's starting quarterback, Bobo said he has been satisfied with how the redshirt sophomore has responded to the pressure.
"I've been really pleased with him," Bobo said. "After the announcement, he's kind of, `OK, it's my job.' He's stepping up, he's being more vocal and taking charge."
Additionally, Bobo said he has been equally pleased with how redshirt freshman Coleman Key has handled his role as backup.
"I've been really impressed with Coleman," Bobo said. "He's come out and had two of his better practices - last night and today. Being confident, taking control, doing a nice job... Sometimes you don't see that, a guy might be a little bit dejected, but he knows what he's got to work on and that's showing a little bit of maturity. His opportunity will come, and he has to show it like he's a starter."
Now that he's been named the starter, Stevens said that it adds pressure in some ways and takes it away in others, but that overall it's given him the chance to be more of a leader.
"I have more of a natural role as a leader, whereas before if I stood up and said something it would be from some guy who may or may not play this year," he said. "Now that it's out there that he (Bobo) has assigned a starting quarterback, there's more influence that comes with that title."
Stevens received countless congratulations texts on Monday, but two in particular stood out.
"My mom, she was super excited," Stevens said. "There were probably 1,000 emojis (in her text). She sent me a picture of her jumping in the air."
The other was from his predecessor: "He (Garrett Grayson) said congratulations and that he can't wait to watch us play on TV this year."
Tight end play: There's no question that the Rams' talent at receiver and tight end is among the top, not only in the Mountain West but the entire NCAA FBS. Bobo again made that a point of interest Tuesday, praising his tight ends.
"Nolan (Peralta) and Steven Walker are doing outstanding, Danny Nwosu has probably been one of the most improved guys from spring practice until now. He's got talent, he's got size, he's got speed. Then Kivon (Cartwright), I just can't wait until we get him healthy. The little things he does day by day, you can tell that he has tremendous ability. He's getting more confident every day, and I think we're doing the right thing by being smart and not rushing him, because we have a long season."
More from Stevens: "I had confidence before, but in the last 24 hours, all of my teammates have come up and told me congratulations, and Coach Bobo made it clear that it was an entire staff decision. I feel good that that's coming from my whole team and the coaching staff."
Going inside: For the second consecutive practice, and fifth time this fall, CSU practiced inside its Indoor Practice Facility, located just northeast of the football practice fields. The facility has gotten great use when the weather has called for the team to head indoors, and Bobo has been grateful of the facility. While at Georgia, Bobo did not have access to such facility, saying the Bulldogs would have to wait out the storm before continuing practice.
Jarrells sidelined: Running back Treyous Jarrells will miss a few weeks due to a knee injury. Bobo told reporters after practice that the senior had an arthroscopic procedure.
"It's probably something that he could have played on, but we wanted to go ahead and clean it up and make sure he's good to go for the whole season," Bobo said.
More honors for Hollywood: Junior Rashard Higgins was named to CBS Sports' Preseason All-America second team on Tuesday. The wide receiver has also been recognized this summer by Phil Steele (first team), Sporting News (first team) and Athlon Sports (third team). In 2014, Higgins led the nation with 1,750 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns and was named a consensus first-team All-American and one of three Biletnikoff Award finalists. In July he was named the Mountain West Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
For more on Higgins, visit www.HollywoodHiggins.com.
End in sight: The Rams will practice twice each on Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched between a rare off day on Thursday. Saturday, CSU will conclude fall training camp with its second scrimmage.
Grayson named CSU's top male athlete: The awards continue to role in for Grayson, who is now with the New Orleans Saints. The former quarterback on Tuesday was named the recipient of the Nye Trophy, awarded annually to CSU's most outstanding male student-athlete.
Grayson led CSU to its best football season in more than a decade, winning 10 games, advancing to its second consecutive bowl game and being ranked for the first time since 2003. In December, the Vancouver, Wash., native was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, and in July he earned the MW Male Athlete of the Year award, the conference's top athletic honor. Grayson holds every major CSU record, including career yards, touchdowns, completions and completion percentage. In 2014, he ranked fourth in the NCAA FBS with 4,006 yards and eighth with 32 touchdown passes.
