DeVree Sidelined, Depth Chart Out

Tight end Tyson Devree, a transfer from Western Michigan that the team has high hopes for has suffered a setback.

Slated to start this season, DeVree is not practicing due to an air bubble in his lung, according to a report in today's Boulder Daily Camera.

However, DeVree, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound junior, is not expected to be out long. Coach Dan Hawkins says DeVree will practice this week and should be ready for Saturday's opener at Folsom Field against Montana State.

A lot is expected and needed from DeVree, as he steps in for the departed Joe Klopfenstein (St. Louis Rams) and Quinn Sypniewski (Baltimore Ravens). He earned freshman All-American and All-MAC honors at Western Michigan before leaving for Boulder.

Buff Bottom Line...this was a scare, definitely, not only for a player's health but for the offense who cannot afford to lose talent, especially a big target for the passing game. DeVree should be able to heal and play. The tight end has always been a valuable and highlighted position on the better Buff teams as I think of Christian Fauria, Matt Lepsis, Dan Graham, and Klopfenstein and Sypniewski. I'll wait for you to write in to extoll the days of J.V. Cain, Don Hasselbeck and others.


Depth Chart Changes

The career of wide receiver Blake Mackey is not going according to plan. The highly-touted recruit has not delivered, then suffers an injury just when you think he is ready to take off, and back for his senior season, he takes a hit in practice and now finds himself, according to the Boulder Daily Camera, fourth in line at the "Z" position.

Meanwhile, in-state recruit Mo Lucas, a sophomore, has jumped junior Alonzo Barrett for the right to start at right defensive end.

Buff Bottom Line...Mackey has to force himself on the coaches. He is simply too big and too fast to be sitting on the sideline. As much as he needs this season to make himself marketable to the NFL, the offense needs him to stretch defenses and make big plays. A marriage made in heaven if all plays out right. The question is if Mackey will leave the school as potential unrealized. See Buster Wilbon and Jesse Warren.

Lucas showed flashes of future stardom as a freshman and is a player the Buffs are counting on to apply pressure upfront and create havoc in the backfield. It's been a long time since the defense had a long, lean, menacing talent like him up on the line. If he's half the player Alfred Williams was then he's going to be labeled a success.

Crosby Getting Media Love

Kicker Mason Crosby, soon-to-be owner of more school records (most field goals, career scoring leader) is all over the news. Those are the spoils of being the most highly thought of player at his position in the country. It's been reported that he was the 3rd-ranked kicker in the land coming out of high school. The 3rd-ranked? Those other two guys must have really been something, don't you think? They're likely making plans to go to grad school these days.

More Depth Chart

No surpises along the offensive line. The interesting thing I notice is 3 former Colorado prep boys are starters in LT Tyler Polumbus, LG Brian Daniels and RT Jack Tipton.

Patrick Williams was being lauded as the next great thing at WR last year and yet did little. Williams, who has the size and talent to excel is not faced with such flowery praise this season and that might be a plus as he can now just go out and play without the glare of the spotlight.

James Cox doesn't have to be an All-Conference pick. He doesn't even have to be Joel Klatt. He does have to lead, keep his composure and not make mistakes. He has the physical skills to succeed.

A puzzling position for me is tailback, where you'd think Hugh Charles would be a lock to start. He isn't. The opinion here is he will have a very strong season, nonetheless. Mell Holliday gives the offense the power back it needs and Byron Ellis has been a surprise this summer after a disappointing season a year ago. At fullback there is probably the perfect name for the position...Samson Jagoras. Just sounds rough and tumble. But who knows, maybe he's into knitting or ballet like former Chicago Bear Willie Gault. With Holliday and Jagoras playing for CU it either says a lot for them overcoming recruited players or the lack of sufficient talent on the roster. Time, baby, will write that story.

The linebackers as a group, in the opinion here, may evolve into a formidable bunch and history makers at CU. Thaddaeus Washington is an established thumper, Jordan Dizon reminds me of an undersized dude name Dat Nguyen who played at Texas A & M and the Dallas Cowboys, and Brad Jones might be physically more talented than anyone.

Ben Burney and Ryan Walters may not have been must-have recruits but the word out of Boulder is they can both be players. Walters is dinged right now and Burney is stepping up. Hurry back, Ryan or Burney might not let you back on the field.

J.J. Billingsley might need baling wire, tape and a soldering gun to put his body out there but the guy makes plays and the defense needs them from him.

Terrance Wheatley...ditto.

Special note...Hawkins made a comment the other day that may have slipped by some. He inferred his special teams could be electric. Seeing Charles and Stephone Robinson returning kicks makes me smile. Throw in Crosby kickin' the pig and I like that all as a team strength.

The Truth

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