Colorado State University Athletics
CSU Fall Camp Notebook: Day 3
8/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
by Grant Larson
Athletics Communications
The Colorado State Rams held their third practice of fall camp on Saturday morning at their on-campus practice facility. The practice marked the team's first action in shells, as the first two practices of camp were in just helmets and shorts, and the coaching staff definitely noticed an uptick in energy.
"Today the energy level went up because they're allowed to compete more," head coach Mike Bobo stated after practice. "I told the guys, my energy was a little low and they got my energy higher today because of the way they were getting after it and competing. I thought we got better today."
One step closer to full contact drills!
Shells were on for Practice No. 4#CSURams | #EDGE pic.twitter.com/IjrGCMu9RP-- CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) August 6, 2016
With the players starting to grow accustomed to the schedule and format of fall practice, the coaching staff's new challenge is to create adversity and continue to push the student-athletes to their limits.
"Growth happens when they're put through trials and tested," Bobo said. "That's our job as coaches to put them through that during camp and push them to see how they respond. I saw a lot of long faces this morning because coaches are getting on them, but I told them they're going to get on you even more today. That's how we get better."
The defense had another strong outing, with the defensive backs recording a number of pass break-ups and interceptions, but Bobo also mentioned how adding shoulder pads helped the offense spark the run game.
"Today we got pads on, which ups our tempo and adds a little more contact at the line of scrimmage, which helps the run game. It allows us to see which guys are going to put their face in there when they're blocking, trying to tackle. The energy level goes up."
The Rams will practice at the same time Sunday in shells, and will then don full pads for the first time of fall camp on Monday morning. The team will hold its first scrimmage of fall camp on Thursday afternoon at Hughes Stadium.
Clyburn update: Senior linebacker Deonte Clyburn, who missed spring ball due to an illness, is still unable to participate in fall camp. Bobo addressed his status Saturday after practice, announcing that Clyburn is on medication for a blood clot.
"It's a tough deal for him because he's one of our true leaders on this football team and guys really, really care about him. He's got a great attitude, and he knows that he still has a role on this team, and he's embraced it."
Clyburn was not cleared for practice during his most recent checkup, and the team will wait three more months before checking his status again. If he is unable to return this fall, he can use his redshirt year and play in 2017, if he is cleared.
"The main thing is we want him safe and healthy," Bobo said.
Local walk-ons: CSU has added several local walk-ons to its roster, including Charles Dunkelman of Loveland High School, Jack Grauberger of Fort Collins and Landon Schmidt of Windsor.
"They love CSU and you want guys like that - people who take pride in wearing the Rams uniform," Bobo said. "They're talented guys, good football players who stood out on their high school teams. They're doing a good job out here right now and they're all getting reps."
The Rams have additional local flavor including John Freismuth (Loveland), Salofi Gaoa (Rocky Mountain), Max McDonald (Rocky Mountain), Nate Ryken (Berthoud) and Trent Sieg (Eaton).
School's out: Friday marked the end of the summer semester for the student-athletes who were enrolled in classes, which gives them a two week break from coursework before the fall semester begins. This allows the coaching staff to start practice later in the day and help the players catch up on some much-needed sleep.
