Colorado State University Athletics
Offensive Line Room Bolstered by Experienced Transfers
9/28/2020 12:48:00 PM | Football, RamWire
New trio serves as mentors as they blend in to new surroundings
The location is new, but in ways it feels like home.
Colorado State's roster – and the depth of the offensive line – was bolstered by the addition of three experienced transfers from the Boston College system. There is a lot Cam Reddy has found he likes about Fort Collins already. Namely the consistent appearance of the sun, even on a cooler day such as the one presented the Rams on Monday morning. Hailing from the East Coast, he doesn't miss gray skies looming overhead.
While he will play for a new team this season, walking into a system he knows and seeing former teammates Elijah Johnson and Adam Korutz provides comfort. He also knows this is not about him, but about the team, and the fact mentors are already on hand cannot be dismissed.
"We call it 'The Room.' The room is everything," Reddy said. "We hold the standard. It is the room. That's the highest standard. We're working, everybody counts, and everybody matters. We're getting everybody going together."
Coaching changes bring about new systems. Making them part of the fabric of a program is a process, one which can be bolstered with those who are already familiar with the fundamental framework. It is obviously new to those who return, even for a Barry Wesley, a Keith Williams, a Scott Brooks, all of them starters in 2019.
Add to the mix five freshmen signed for the 2020 season, and for them, everything is new. The ability to get on the same page in a timely fashion is crucial. Now throw in the concerns of the current pandemic, depth and versatility are going to be key for every team in the country.
The trio of BC transfers check all the boxes.
"I think it's all the above. They understand the fundamentals and the techniques, but our guys have been here awhile," head coach Steve Addazio said. "All of them. They all understand the fundamentals and the techniques. We're just trying to continually build and solidify our unit up front. Everybody in the country is doing that.
"So we use the transfer portal to help solidify different positions. Certainly with those guys coming in, they bring a knowledge and experience and help us build our talent base."
As Reddy noted, it's the job of every offensive lineman took look out for those in the room, regardless of class or playing status. They all came here to play, to start, but also to progress the group as a whole. They need to learn to rely on each other.
You can see it in practice. They talk to teammates on the side to clear up questions. Reddy stayed after practice to help true freshman Dirk Nelson work on his shotgun snaps. Being a mentor is part of the system, even if they didn't know it intimately. The fact they do is a major plus.
"We've been in this system awhile. I've been in it four years, and so has Adam," Johnson said. "I've been doing it every single day the past four years, so I have an idea what I'm doing. It's nice having these young guys coming here and coach them up on every single technique and trick I've learned over the years and really get ready to have a good season every year.
"It's like a fresh start, but it feels like home at the same time. Like back to my freshman year when I first get to meet these guys. I love my teammates already. I love these guys. And I have my brothers."
Addazio feels the Rams have already crossed an important threshold, that being able to separate the habits of the past with the teachings of the present. There is no longer a clear line between those who know and those who are being instructed as the Rams start to inch closer to an Oct. 24 kickoff.
With any position group, reminders are needed at times, but adoption has already taken hold. There is now a strong sense of unity moving the group forward.
"Every single day you see us get better. Our kick sets, our punches and everything," Johnson said. "We work on it pre-practice, and then we're even working with the freshmen at home every single day. We want to make sure we get it right, rep it out and have a great season."
The trio may come in with a working knowledge of the schematics up front, but the last thing they want to see develop is a dividing line between the returning players and the guys who came in from Boston College. That won't do anybody any good, and it would run counter to the idea of 'The Room.'
They want to help, but most of all, they want to be a major part of the greater good. That's not just production on the field, but pushing progress for the group as a whole. As Reddy knows, there is a great expectation Addazio places on his linemen, one they are all clear about.
"I think it's comradery. It's a mix of teaching guys, and they're teaching us ways here, and we're kind of working together," he said. "It's all one unit, and that's what we're working on. But we're definitely helping out, because we know the system."
For all three of them, Colorado State presents the perfect blend of old and new. A chance to reestablish themselves with a head coach, teammates, even a strength staff they know very well. It is also the chance to break new ground and develop additional relationships.
All of it is key on the offensive line. It's vital in The Room, and all of them see blue skies above.
Colorado State's roster – and the depth of the offensive line – was bolstered by the addition of three experienced transfers from the Boston College system. There is a lot Cam Reddy has found he likes about Fort Collins already. Namely the consistent appearance of the sun, even on a cooler day such as the one presented the Rams on Monday morning. Hailing from the East Coast, he doesn't miss gray skies looming overhead.
While he will play for a new team this season, walking into a system he knows and seeing former teammates Elijah Johnson and Adam Korutz provides comfort. He also knows this is not about him, but about the team, and the fact mentors are already on hand cannot be dismissed.
"We call it 'The Room.' The room is everything," Reddy said. "We hold the standard. It is the room. That's the highest standard. We're working, everybody counts, and everybody matters. We're getting everybody going together."
Coaching changes bring about new systems. Making them part of the fabric of a program is a process, one which can be bolstered with those who are already familiar with the fundamental framework. It is obviously new to those who return, even for a Barry Wesley, a Keith Williams, a Scott Brooks, all of them starters in 2019.
Add to the mix five freshmen signed for the 2020 season, and for them, everything is new. The ability to get on the same page in a timely fashion is crucial. Now throw in the concerns of the current pandemic, depth and versatility are going to be key for every team in the country.
The trio of BC transfers check all the boxes.
"I think it's all the above. They understand the fundamentals and the techniques, but our guys have been here awhile," head coach Steve Addazio said. "All of them. They all understand the fundamentals and the techniques. We're just trying to continually build and solidify our unit up front. Everybody in the country is doing that.
"So we use the transfer portal to help solidify different positions. Certainly with those guys coming in, they bring a knowledge and experience and help us build our talent base."
As Reddy noted, it's the job of every offensive lineman took look out for those in the room, regardless of class or playing status. They all came here to play, to start, but also to progress the group as a whole. They need to learn to rely on each other.
You can see it in practice. They talk to teammates on the side to clear up questions. Reddy stayed after practice to help true freshman Dirk Nelson work on his shotgun snaps. Being a mentor is part of the system, even if they didn't know it intimately. The fact they do is a major plus.
"We've been in this system awhile. I've been in it four years, and so has Adam," Johnson said. "I've been doing it every single day the past four years, so I have an idea what I'm doing. It's nice having these young guys coming here and coach them up on every single technique and trick I've learned over the years and really get ready to have a good season every year.
"It's like a fresh start, but it feels like home at the same time. Like back to my freshman year when I first get to meet these guys. I love my teammates already. I love these guys. And I have my brothers."
Addazio feels the Rams have already crossed an important threshold, that being able to separate the habits of the past with the teachings of the present. There is no longer a clear line between those who know and those who are being instructed as the Rams start to inch closer to an Oct. 24 kickoff.
With any position group, reminders are needed at times, but adoption has already taken hold. There is now a strong sense of unity moving the group forward.
"Every single day you see us get better. Our kick sets, our punches and everything," Johnson said. "We work on it pre-practice, and then we're even working with the freshmen at home every single day. We want to make sure we get it right, rep it out and have a great season."
The trio may come in with a working knowledge of the schematics up front, but the last thing they want to see develop is a dividing line between the returning players and the guys who came in from Boston College. That won't do anybody any good, and it would run counter to the idea of 'The Room.'
They want to help, but most of all, they want to be a major part of the greater good. That's not just production on the field, but pushing progress for the group as a whole. As Reddy knows, there is a great expectation Addazio places on his linemen, one they are all clear about.
"I think it's comradery. It's a mix of teaching guys, and they're teaching us ways here, and we're kind of working together," he said. "It's all one unit, and that's what we're working on. But we're definitely helping out, because we know the system."
For all three of them, Colorado State presents the perfect blend of old and new. A chance to reestablish themselves with a head coach, teammates, even a strength staff they know very well. It is also the chance to break new ground and develop additional relationships.
All of it is key on the offensive line. It's vital in The Room, and all of them see blue skies above.
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