Colorado State University Athletics
Spring Notebook: Special teams a focus on Day 2
3/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 23, 2017
By Grant Larson
CSU Athletics Communications
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - After a day off for film study and weights, the Rams were back on the practice fields Thursday afternoon for their second practice of spring ball. In addition to head coach Mike Bobo, special teams coordinator and safeties coach Jamie Bryant was made available to the media after practice and spoke about trying find the next group of players to contribute in all elements of special teams.
"We’re trying to develop depth, and that’s why we have so many guys working with so many teams,” Bryant said. “We’re trying to build depth and find special teams players. Michael Gallup is working hard on special teams fundamentals. A lot of guys are starting to understand that special teams may be their ticket to the next level. Gallup may not start on any of our special teams, but he might be a backup, and if somebody goes down and he’s been trained and has the fundamentals to fall back on, when you get him in the game he’s going to be able to execute."
While the Rams graduated punter Hayden Hunt and punt returner Robert Ruiz, the team is returning its kicker, kick returner and long snapper in Wyatt Bryan, Dalyn Dawkins/Detrich Clark and Trent Sieg, respectively.
Bryant, who also coaches the safeties, sees senior Jake Schlager as a leader for the position group.
“It’s not a difficult job for Jake, because Jake comes to work every day,” he said. “He’s an intelligent guy, he understands the schemes and adjustments.”
With the graduation of Faton Bauta and Collin Hill still rehabbing his knee injury, the Rams have just two quarterbacks available for team drills--Nick Stevens and J.C. Robles--and Bobo is excited about the opportunities that Robles is being presented with as a result.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Bobo said. “Quite frankly, J.C. has not gotten a lot of live reps. It’s a really good opportunity for him to go out there and show that he’s a guy that we can count on at that position. He’s got a long way to go, he’s got to be more consistent throwing the football, and just gain confidence leading the offense. But I just walked out there and saw him throwing extra and that’s good to see. He will get better, and these 15 practices are really going to help him.”
Colorado State will be back on the practice field Saturday for its third practice, and will be in full pads for the first time this spring. Follow @CSUFootball on Twitter and check CSURams.com for exclusive coverage and content.
Bobo singled out the wide receivers as a position group that is standing out in the early parts of camp, mentioning Detrich Clark, Michael Gallup, Olabisi Johnson and Tennessee transfer Preston Williams as some of the most consistent performers through two days of practice. While he will not be eligible until the 2018 season per Division I transfer rules, Bobo spoke to the natural talent that Williams bring to the table as a route runner and pass catcher, and believes his presence and effort level at practice will help the team as a whole in 2017 and beyond.
Number Changes
Nine Rams have decided to change their jersey numbers for the upcoming season, as the numbers of graduates and transfers become available for veterans to switch into before they are assigned to incoming freshmen. Running back Izzy Matthews will switch to No. 24, safety Jamal Hicks to No. 7, running back Marvin Kinsey, Jr., to No. 5, running back Johnathan Lewis to No. 35, linebacker Conrad Harker to No. 98, offensive lineman Alonso Archuleta to No. 62, wide receiver Alex Tennant to No. 26, wide receiver Dante Carnessale to No. 45 and wide receiver Chandler Birrell to No. 18.
Familiar Faces
There were a number of recently-graduated Rams in attendance for Thursday’spractice, including Kevin Davis, Nolan Peralta, Robert Ruiz, Tyree Simmons and Fred Zerblis. The 2016 graduates all took part in CSU’s Pro Day earlier this month--featuring scouts from 29 NFL teams--with Kevin Davis representing the Rams at the NFL Combine on March 4. All five will look to join the ranks of the #NextLevelRams during the 2017 NFL Draft and ensuing free agency signing period in late April.
By Grant Larson
CSU Athletics Communications
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - After a day off for film study and weights, the Rams were back on the practice fields Thursday afternoon for their second practice of spring ball. In addition to head coach Mike Bobo, special teams coordinator and safeties coach Jamie Bryant was made available to the media after practice and spoke about trying find the next group of players to contribute in all elements of special teams.
"We’re trying to develop depth, and that’s why we have so many guys working with so many teams,” Bryant said. “We’re trying to build depth and find special teams players. Michael Gallup is working hard on special teams fundamentals. A lot of guys are starting to understand that special teams may be their ticket to the next level. Gallup may not start on any of our special teams, but he might be a backup, and if somebody goes down and he’s been trained and has the fundamentals to fall back on, when you get him in the game he’s going to be able to execute."
While the Rams graduated punter Hayden Hunt and punt returner Robert Ruiz, the team is returning its kicker, kick returner and long snapper in Wyatt Bryan, Dalyn Dawkins/Detrich Clark and Trent Sieg, respectively.
Bryant, who also coaches the safeties, sees senior Jake Schlager as a leader for the position group.
“It’s not a difficult job for Jake, because Jake comes to work every day,” he said. “He’s an intelligent guy, he understands the schemes and adjustments.”
With the graduation of Faton Bauta and Collin Hill still rehabbing his knee injury, the Rams have just two quarterbacks available for team drills--Nick Stevens and J.C. Robles--and Bobo is excited about the opportunities that Robles is being presented with as a result.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Bobo said. “Quite frankly, J.C. has not gotten a lot of live reps. It’s a really good opportunity for him to go out there and show that he’s a guy that we can count on at that position. He’s got a long way to go, he’s got to be more consistent throwing the football, and just gain confidence leading the offense. But I just walked out there and saw him throwing extra and that’s good to see. He will get better, and these 15 practices are really going to help him.”
Colorado State will be back on the practice field Saturday for its third practice, and will be in full pads for the first time this spring. Follow @CSUFootball on Twitter and check CSURams.com for exclusive coverage and content.
Wide Receivers A Step AheadSpring practice 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/8J7WX8pUwh
— CSU Rams Football (@CSUFootball) March 23, 2017
Bobo singled out the wide receivers as a position group that is standing out in the early parts of camp, mentioning Detrich Clark, Michael Gallup, Olabisi Johnson and Tennessee transfer Preston Williams as some of the most consistent performers through two days of practice. While he will not be eligible until the 2018 season per Division I transfer rules, Bobo spoke to the natural talent that Williams bring to the table as a route runner and pass catcher, and believes his presence and effort level at practice will help the team as a whole in 2017 and beyond.
Number Changes
Nine Rams have decided to change their jersey numbers for the upcoming season, as the numbers of graduates and transfers become available for veterans to switch into before they are assigned to incoming freshmen. Running back Izzy Matthews will switch to No. 24, safety Jamal Hicks to No. 7, running back Marvin Kinsey, Jr., to No. 5, running back Johnathan Lewis to No. 35, linebacker Conrad Harker to No. 98, offensive lineman Alonso Archuleta to No. 62, wide receiver Alex Tennant to No. 26, wide receiver Dante Carnessale to No. 45 and wide receiver Chandler Birrell to No. 18.
Familiar Faces
There were a number of recently-graduated Rams in attendance for Thursday’spractice, including Kevin Davis, Nolan Peralta, Robert Ruiz, Tyree Simmons and Fred Zerblis. The 2016 graduates all took part in CSU’s Pro Day earlier this month--featuring scouts from 29 NFL teams--with Kevin Davis representing the Rams at the NFL Combine on March 4. All five will look to join the ranks of the #NextLevelRams during the 2017 NFL Draft and ensuing free agency signing period in late April.
Players Mentioned
Inside the Offensive Linemen Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Thursday, May 14
Inside The Tight End Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Monday, May 11
Inside the Quarterback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Friday, May 08
Inside the Nickelback Room | Colorado State Football | Rams Live
Tuesday, April 28