Colorado State University Athletics
Rams Begin Spring Practices Ahead of 2024 Season
3/21/2024 1:46:00 PM | Football
Head Coach Jay Norvell enters his third spring with the program.
FORT COLLINS - As the saying goes, if you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done. That's the mindset this spring as the Rams under year three under head coach Jay Norvell.
"We're definitely different," said Norvell following the first practice of the spring season on Thursday - the first of 15 leading up to April 20th's Green vs. Gold game. "Our coaching staff is different. Our players are different. We've got a little different approach to what we're doing, and I think we're going to see a big difference on the field."
In year two, Norvell's Rams won five games, the most by the program since the 2017 season, but were on the opposite end of three losses decided in overtime or in walk-off field goal fashion (at UNLV, at Hawaii). For the third-year head man, this spring will be about resolving the small mistakes than kept the Rams just on the outside of bowl eligibility.
"When you go back and look at the film, it's more about refining our understanding and trying to get quicker reaction from our players than trying to teach scheme. They have a good idea of what our schemes are."
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One such player is quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi who stepped into the starting role in the second game of the 2023 season. Now, with the opportunity to have a full spring to deepen his knowledge of the offense and rapport with his offensive teammates, the sophomore gunslinger is excited for his own progression in the air raid.
(This spring) is incredibly important," Fowler-Nicolosi said. "This is the offseason where I'm looking to make that jump from being that young, immature kid to being a leader on the team and a leader on the field, to kind of command the game. This offseason is huge for me."
Though the 11 games Fowler-Nicolosi started last season provided and incredible amount of educational potential, as he enters year two as the starter behind center, he and the rest of the offense will be looking to build a deep cohesion and understanding of what each is trying to accomplish.
"We're ready to make that jump as a team. We're ready to grow out of that immature phase, and we've developed that standard. We understand what we want."
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Defensively, the Rams lost the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in Mohamed Kamara to the upcoming NFL draft as well as two-year starter at cornerback and fellow NFL hopeful Chigozie Anusiem. Replacing those parts won't be easy, but All-American safety Jack Howell, freshman All-American defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth, and stalwart, multi-year starters Cam Bariteau, Henry Blackburn, and Chase Wilson all return.Â
For Wilson, the competition to fill the very few vacated starter roles is exciting.
"Just like any (spring), it's about coming together. We have new guys stepping up," Wilson said. "(Sophomore linebacker) Buom Jock is going to step in to a big role. We've all got to work together to have an effective defense."
Wilson also echoed Norvell's sentiments about carrying over culture and expectations, so the Rams can focus on refining details rather than bringing the roster up to speed about the expectations inside and outside of the locker room.
"Coming into year three (under Norvell), we don't have to do much about (setting expectations). Guys come into the building, they know what the standard is, they know what the culture is, and there's none of the tedious stuff that we'd have to do (in previous years) to make sure guys are in the right place."
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2024 Season Tickets On Sale
For the first time in program history, the Rams will have seven guaranteed home games, and season tickets for 2024, including Colorado and Wyoming, are on-sale. It will also be Colorado's first visit to Fort Collins since 1996, and the first time Colorado State has hosted Wyoming and Colorado in the same season since 1996.
Season tickets for the complete seven-game schedule begin at just $270.
2024 Green and Gold Weekend
The Rams will host 15 practices - all open to fans - culminating on Saturday, April 20 with the annual Green vs. Gold Game.
As part of the day, Jay Norvell and his wife, Kim, will host their third annual Grit Run 5k with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Registration is now open. Colorado State Softball and Soccer will also be in competition, and all events are free to fans.
Following the spring game, the program will host its third annual youth experience on Sonny Lubick Field for young Ram fans.
At night, the Extra Credit Fest, headlined by Steve Aoki, will take place in Moby Arena from 5-10 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
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"We're definitely different," said Norvell following the first practice of the spring season on Thursday - the first of 15 leading up to April 20th's Green vs. Gold game. "Our coaching staff is different. Our players are different. We've got a little different approach to what we're doing, and I think we're going to see a big difference on the field."
In year two, Norvell's Rams won five games, the most by the program since the 2017 season, but were on the opposite end of three losses decided in overtime or in walk-off field goal fashion (at UNLV, at Hawaii). For the third-year head man, this spring will be about resolving the small mistakes than kept the Rams just on the outside of bowl eligibility.
"When you go back and look at the film, it's more about refining our understanding and trying to get quicker reaction from our players than trying to teach scheme. They have a good idea of what our schemes are."
Â
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One such player is quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi who stepped into the starting role in the second game of the 2023 season. Now, with the opportunity to have a full spring to deepen his knowledge of the offense and rapport with his offensive teammates, the sophomore gunslinger is excited for his own progression in the air raid.
(This spring) is incredibly important," Fowler-Nicolosi said. "This is the offseason where I'm looking to make that jump from being that young, immature kid to being a leader on the team and a leader on the field, to kind of command the game. This offseason is huge for me."
Though the 11 games Fowler-Nicolosi started last season provided and incredible amount of educational potential, as he enters year two as the starter behind center, he and the rest of the offense will be looking to build a deep cohesion and understanding of what each is trying to accomplish.
"We're ready to make that jump as a team. We're ready to grow out of that immature phase, and we've developed that standard. We understand what we want."
Â
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Defensively, the Rams lost the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in Mohamed Kamara to the upcoming NFL draft as well as two-year starter at cornerback and fellow NFL hopeful Chigozie Anusiem. Replacing those parts won't be easy, but All-American safety Jack Howell, freshman All-American defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth, and stalwart, multi-year starters Cam Bariteau, Henry Blackburn, and Chase Wilson all return.Â
For Wilson, the competition to fill the very few vacated starter roles is exciting.
"Just like any (spring), it's about coming together. We have new guys stepping up," Wilson said. "(Sophomore linebacker) Buom Jock is going to step in to a big role. We've all got to work together to have an effective defense."
Wilson also echoed Norvell's sentiments about carrying over culture and expectations, so the Rams can focus on refining details rather than bringing the roster up to speed about the expectations inside and outside of the locker room.
"Coming into year three (under Norvell), we don't have to do much about (setting expectations). Guys come into the building, they know what the standard is, they know what the culture is, and there's none of the tedious stuff that we'd have to do (in previous years) to make sure guys are in the right place."
Â
2024 Season Tickets On Sale
For the first time in program history, the Rams will have seven guaranteed home games, and season tickets for 2024, including Colorado and Wyoming, are on-sale. It will also be Colorado's first visit to Fort Collins since 1996, and the first time Colorado State has hosted Wyoming and Colorado in the same season since 1996.
Season tickets for the complete seven-game schedule begin at just $270.
2024 Green and Gold Weekend
The Rams will host 15 practices - all open to fans - culminating on Saturday, April 20 with the annual Green vs. Gold Game.
As part of the day, Jay Norvell and his wife, Kim, will host their third annual Grit Run 5k with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Registration is now open. Colorado State Softball and Soccer will also be in competition, and all events are free to fans.
Following the spring game, the program will host its third annual youth experience on Sonny Lubick Field for young Ram fans.
At night, the Extra Credit Fest, headlined by Steve Aoki, will take place in Moby Arena from 5-10 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
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Players Mentioned
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Friday, May 08
Tuesday, April 28