Colorado Football Camp: Jordan Webb Has Been Named Starting QB

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Colorado Football: Buffs Confident In Freshman CB Kenneth Crawley

Colorado Buffaloes freshman left cornerback Kenneth Crawley is set to play his first NCAA game on Saturday against Colorado State. Like right cornerback Greg Henderson last season, he will be in the starting lineup.

Crawley's Colorado coaches and teammates have confidence that he will learn quickly, via Brian Howell of Buffzone.com:

"He plays with confidence, but he's a freshman and I'm sure there's going to be a bulls eye on his jersey," CU defensive coordinator Greg Brown said.
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Henderson said Crawley has come to him for advice, but that he sees great potential in his new teammate.

"He's coming along real well," Henderson said. "The challenge is that there are a lot of great receivers in this league, so he's just got to be on his A game and just be confident in himself and he'll be all right.

"The first couple of games you're going to be nervous and you get the goose bumps and all of that. But, you're going to settle in and you'll be good. He's a great player and he has great athletic ability, so I have nothing to worry about with him."

The Buffaloes' season opener against the rival Rams is set for 2:00 p.m. MT on Saturday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Football Releases First Depth Chart

The Colorado Buffaloes released their first official depth chart on Friday, and it appears that freshmen are going to be a huge piece of the puzzle for head coach Jon Embree.

Josh Tupou, Kenneth Crawley and Christian Powell are all either first or tied for first at their respective positions on the depth chart. In addition, the special teams will be well-represented with first-year players, as Crawley, Marques Mosley, Donta Abron and Gerald Thomas are currently slated to handle punt and kick returns.

Tupou is atop the list of nose tackles, along with junior Nate Bonsu. Tupou, who was a three-star recruit from from Buena Park, Calif., has had an impressive camp. Crawley is alone by himself at the top of the left cornerback list, and is also No. 1 on the list of punt returners. And Powell is slated to share starting duties at fullback with junior Alex Wood.

The Buffs' quarterback situation looks interesting, as they have yet to decide on a backup to Jordan Webb. Currently, Connor Wood and Nick Hirschman are both listed as the No. 2.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Football 2012: Linebackers Doug Rippy, Jon Major Looked At As Leaders

Jon Major and Doug Rippy, linebackers for the Colorado Buffaloes, are looking to make the most out of their senior seasons and have worked closely together since coming to the team in the same 2008 recruiting class.

Both have battled injuries throughout their collegiate careers but have worked to become the leaders for linebackers coach Brian Cabral's unit.

"What I like about the two of them is they are kind of sticking together this year," Cabral said. "They're working together, they're studying together, they're doing everything trying to encourage, challenge and help each other. That also brings out the best of my unit. It's kind of fun to see them be pretty tight and be twin brothers."

Major was a big recruit in 2008 for coach Dan Hawkins, but a torn ACL slowed his early development well into 2009. In 2010, Major was having an all-conference-caliber season before injuring his MCL. He started all 13 games in 2011 while playing through nagging injuries and could be in line to be named a team captain this season.

Rippy has been limited to only 18 games with ankle and knee injuries. He started seven games in 2011 and was leading the team in tackles before tearing his ACL and MCL against Washington. The coaches have brought him along slowly this preseason, but he and Major are the leaders of a relatively young defense.

"We have to know what everyone else is doing. If we can get everybody lined up and running to the ball, we'll be fine," Rippy said. "Everybody makes mistakes and they're at the point now where they make a little mistake and the next day they're coming out and they don't make the same mistake."

The Buffaloes open the 2012 season Sept. 1 against Colorado State.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Football 2012: Darragh O'Neill, Will Oliver Looking To Improve As Sophomores

Colorado Buffaloes kickers Darragh O'Neill and Will Oliver both came out of nowhere last season to be valued contributors as freshmen. O'Neill averaged 42.6 yards per punt, while Oliver converted 11-of-16 field goal attempts including 5-of-6 longer than 40 yards.

As sophomores, they're looking to put themselves in positions to improve, with O'Neill increasing his hang time and Oliver cutting down on blocked kicks, via Tom Kensler of the Denver Post:

"The fatigue I felt last year directly correlated to a lack of flexibility," O'Neill said. "So I did a lot of flexibility stuff, a bunch of stretching and some fast-twitch things in the weight room that will help with hang time.

"I just have to make sure that I'm always stretching. That has shown massive improvement, even in terms of how my leg feels every day. To get better hang time, you have to get through the ball. Flexibility is a huge factor in that."

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"As the season went on, my technique lapsed a little bit," Oliver conceded. "I'm working on leaning back a little bit and getting through the ball. The higher you can swing your leg, the higher the ball goes."

The Buffaloes play their first game of the season on September 1 against Colorado State.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado State Football Camp: Walk-ons Filling Roles For Rams

Colorado State has a proud tradition of walk-ons having success, from the school's all-time leading rusher Steve Bartalo to former All-American Keli McGregor to former NFL safety John Howell. Walk-ons continue to fill roles as the Rams prepare for the 2012 football season, according to The Coloradoan.

On Tuesday, new coach Jim McElwain welcomed six new non-scholarship players to the roster, including JUCO transfer Calvin Tonga.

The report says it's not expected that any of the walk-ons will make the cut for the final 85 roster spots, but precedent is certainly there with the Rams to go from walk-on to team staple. Senior linebacker James Skelton, the team's second-leading tackler last season, also began his season as a walk-on.

The 27 walk-ons currently on the roster include backup quarterback M.J. McPeek and running back Mark Woodbury.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Paul Richardson Injury Update: Colorado WR Ruled Out For First 2 Games

Paul Richardson was not expected to get on the field right away for the Colorado Buffaloes after tearing his ACL and undergoing a mid-April surgery. His progress in recovery the past few months had given a bit of optimism in regards to a moderately quick return. However, if that return does happen, it's officially not going to be in the first couple of weeks of the upcoming season.

Coach Jon Embree broke the news of Richardson's sitting for the first two weeks to The Daily Camera and Buffzone:

"He's not ready," Embree said. "He hasn't run any routes really yet. He hasn't done any team work, timing, all those issues.

"He'll have to get some time with us – when I say us, I mean the players on the field – before we say, 'Yeah, he's ready to go.'"

So far there has been no indication on when Richardson is expected to fully return to practices and then eventually to the team proper for games.

Colorado's home opener will be on September 8 against Sacramento State.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Football 2012: Terrel Smith Looks To Make Impact In Colorado's Secondary

Colorado Buffaloes junior Terrel Smith has made an impression in training camp. He's trying to earn a starting spot at strong safety, battling with Ray Polk, Parker Orms and Marques Mosley for one of two spots.

Smith has quietly gone about his business, but his work hasn't gone unnoticed by the Colorado staff, via Brian Howell of Buffzone.com.

"He just continues to do nothing but impress and make progress," CU defensive coordinator Greg Brown said. "He's a good player for us and hopefully we'll look for a big year for him on the field."

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"He's become much more of a complete player," Brown said. "He's always been a good tackler, but his intelligence is what impresses you now about the guy. He's worked hard and it shows."

Smith says he feels better in this year's camp than he did as a freshman and a sophomore.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report and join the discussion. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Football 2012: OC Eric Bieniemy Expands Playbook

Colorado Buffaloes offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is adding more to the Colorado Buffaloes offensive playbook in 2012.

How much more, though, we'll just have to wait and see.

Bieniemy, who is in his second year as Colorado's offensive coordinator, estimates that the team only used roughly 35-40 percent of the playbook last year.

"I was taught as a player to learn from the dinosaurs," Bieniemy said. "You've got to make sure that you're willing to adapt and keep it moving.

"Obviously we've done a little studying with different offenses and different people across the country, but you've always got to be willing to experiment with things and be willing to try something new. Just because you've done it a certain way your whole entire life doesn't mean you can't change for the better."

That Bieniemy is embracing new wrinkles and a larger playbook can only mean good things for Colorado's offense -- assuming the players are able to grasp the playbook.

Buffaloes fans won't have to wait too long to see the expanded playbook, as Colorado will open the 2012 season on Sept. 1 against Colorado State.

For the latest on the Colorado Buffaloes, head over to The Ralphie Report and join the discussion.

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Colorado Football 2012: Jordan Webb Is A Playmaker And 'Looks Like Brett Favre,' Says Teammate

Thursday, Jordan Webb was named the starting quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes. By Friday, he was being compared to a legendary Green Bay Packer.

"You've got No. 4 and it looks like Brett Favre out there," Buffs left tackle David Bakhtiari told Ryan Thorburn of the Daily Camera Friday. "He's about like 5'6". No, he's pretty short, but he's making plays." The former Kansas quarterback is not as slight of stature as his teammate suggested -- he is officially listed at 6'1" -- but his less-than-ideal height is not a concern for head coach Jon Embree.

"He's strong, he's tough," Embree said when asked about Webb's size. "He's played in 19 games and been beat up pretty good and seemed to survive that all right. I'm not real overly concerned about that."

Teammates have praised the new signalcaller's knowledge of the playbook, field vision, and throwing accuracy.

"I don't now how he does it, to be honest," Bakhtiari told reporters. "I'm not going to question it. The fact that he does do it is enough for me."

The Colorado Buffaloes open their 2012 season against Colorado State on Saturday, September 1.

For more on the Buffaloes, be sure to check out The Ralphie Report.

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Colorado Football 2012: Nick Hirschman Plans To Stick With Buffs

Despite being told that he will not be the starting quarterback of the Colorado Buffaloes for the 2012 season, sophomore Nick Hirschman told BuffZone.com that he has no plans to transfer and instead plans on continuing to compete for the job that now belongs to Jordan Webb.

"I'm not really thinking about (leaving)," he said. "I'm in camp right now competing. That thought hasn't even crossed my mind."

Webb, the former starting quarterback of the Kansas Jayhawks, has two years of eligibility remaining following his transfer to Colorado, while Hirschman and the third quarterback in the mix, Connor Wood, each have three years left.

Buffaloes offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy still expects Hirschman to compete for playing time, telling BuffZone.com that the battle for time will continue.

"That's not his MO," Bieniemy said when asked if he thought Hirschman might transfer. "Nick is a true and true Buff. One thing about Nick, he's a competitor. I love his personality; I love the spirit about the kid. Although he's not the starter, Nick is going to continue to work his tail off to find a way to get himself on the field."

For more on the Buffaloes, be sure to check out The Ralphie Report.

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Colorado Football 2012: Connor Wood Wants To Challenge Starting QB Jordan Webb

Jordan Webb was named the Colorado Buffaloes' starting quarterback on Wednesday, but Connor Wood plans to keep pushing him.

Wood transferred to Colorado from Texas when he didn't get the Longhorns' starting job in 2011. He had to sit out all of last season. Still, he's keeping his head up, via Brian Howell of Buffzone.com:

"Personally it's disappointing, but again, you have to look at it as what's best for the team," Wood said after Wednesday's practice. "I've got to respect coach's decision and I've got to support Jordan going into that first game and going into the rest of the games. At the same time, I've got to compete with him and drive him, too."

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"I think if you look at a situation like this in my position and you feel this 'Oh, woe is me' mentality, you can't move forward," he said. "You've got to step in a positive direction. It's going to be hard for the first couple of days kind of getting used to it, but again you've got to step forward and the past is the past and you've got to support Jordan again and be a good teammate."

With Webb officially the starter, Wood is battling Nick Hirschman to be his backup.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Football 2012: Jordan Webb 'Surprised' But Ready As Buffs QB

The Jon Embree reclamation project took its next step in Boulder on Wednesday, as the Colorado head coach looks to Jordan Webb as his starting quarterback for the 2012 college football season. Webb, perhaps thinking the competition would remain open for longer, said he was "surprised" by the decision.

Embree and Webb share some things in common. Both had hoped for and expected a better 2011, but ended up enduring 10-loss seasons. While Embree endured a 3-10 start to his tenure with the Buffaloes, Webb struggled through the 2-10 debacle at Kansas. The 6-0 junior from Missouri transferred from Kansas as new coach Charlie Weis welcomed in Dayne Crist, and like Crist, Webb can play immediately for the Buffs after graduating at Kansas.

In two years at Kansas, Webb threw for 3,079 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. Last year's performance showed promise, as Webb completed 64% of his passes. But the 1,884 yards weren't enough to lead the Jayhawks to many wins, perhaps indicative of larger problems in Lawrence.

Webb gets his first snaps on September 1 as the Buffs take on rival Colorado State in the Rocky Mountain Showdown in Denver.

For more on the Colorado Buffaloes, visit Ralphie Report.

Check out SB Nation's 2012 College Football Preview series below!

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Kisima Jagne Cleared By NCAA Clearinghouse, Must Still Grayshirt For Colorado Football

Kisima Jagne, a top defensive end signee for the Colorado Buffaloes' Class of 2012, received good news Tuesday, as he was approved to be academically eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse. The news, which was reported by Rivals.com's Adam Munsterteige, was a bit bittersweet because Jagne will still need to be considered a "grayshirt" and will not be able to enroll at the school until Jan.

The reason for the grayshirt, says Munsterteige, is because the team already has reached its limit of 25 "initials".

At the beginning of Colorado's training camp, Jagne along with four other players were named given the grayshirts title, as they were waiting to become eligible by the NCAA.

Jagen, a 6-foot-5, 235 pound prospect from Chandler, Ariz., was considered the Buffaloes top signee for the Class of '12 as he was ranked sixth in the state of Arizona at his position.

For more on Colorado football, check out the SB Nation blog The Ralphie Report.

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Colorado Football 2012: Secondary Looks Forward To Infusion Of Youth

If the QB's the Colorado Buffaloes faced in 2011 were one player, he'd probably be an All-American. Opposing QB's completed 65.5% of their passes and averaged 237.6 yards per game against the Buffaloes; through 13 games, they threw for 21 TD's and 7 INT's.

For first-year coach Jon Embree, the biggest problem was personnel: Colorado simply didn't have the bodies in the secondary to compete in the Pac-12. As a result, there's a good chance an incoming group of freshman DB's, who Embree has dubbed 'the Fast Five', could receive a lot of playing time in the 2012 season.

Senior S Ray Polk, speaking to Buffzone.com, said he was impressed by how they've performed so far in camp:

"It's coming along actually really well. The young guys are picking it up fast and it's exciting to see," Polk said. "In a short period of time there is just so much to grasp. It's really exciting to see these guys progress, and they're going to be great football players by the end of their time here."

John Walker, a freshman CB from Washington D.C., will redshirt this year after tearing ligaments in his finger last week. The other four -- Kenneth Crawley, Jeffrey Hall, Marques Mosley and Yuri Wright -- will all have a chance to make an immediate impact this season.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.

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Colorado Media Day: Buffaloes Want To End Quarterback 'Competition'

The Colorado Buffaloes had a chance to speak with the media as a team on Saturday during the Fall Sports Media Day, and a chief topic in play was the brewing quarterback competition, which head coach Jon Embree nearly called a quarterback controversy.

Jon Woods of The Ralphie Report has the details of the event, and according to Woods, the Buffaloes coaching staff is just as eager to pick a quarterback as the fans are:

[Embree] said he wants to chose a quarterback as soon as possible so that the "offense knows who's leading them when they go play CSU."

In the 2011 NCAA season, senior QB Tyler Hansen passed for 2883 yards and 20 TD, but the California native is now fighting for a spot on the Cincinnati Bengals roster -- meaning the Buffaloes will have to pick a new starter among the six inexperienced underclassman currently on the roster.

For more on the Buffs, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more news and notes around the college football world.