Buffs recruit an ironhead for offense

Remember Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, the former Pitt Panther and NFL running back?

Heyward was given that name for using that head in a battering, physical style of play.

Colorado decided their offense could use such a force so they went looking for one and found that rough and ready specimen.

On their defense.

Maurice Cantrell, brought to Boulder as a linebacker is now the Buffs starting fullback, and has made coaches and teammates pay attention to him.

In a B.G. Brooks' story in the Rocky Mountain News, linebackers' coach Brian Cabral minced no words when talking about Cantrell.

"He's a heavy-hitting dude, a real load," Cabral said.

Running backs' coach Darian Hagan is Cantrell's campaign manager and also isn't shy about promoting his lead blocker.

"Wants to do good. That's what I like about him," Hagan said. "He goes at it 100 miles an hour."

Linebacker Jordon Dizon, one smart football player, recognizes danger when he sees it and knows he better strap it up in practice when he sees Cantrell coming.

"He's a ball of muscle. Meeting him in the hole, you've got to go as hard as he does or he'll put you on your butt - big time."

Cantrell is the type of hitter CU needs to pave the way for the running game, that second head of steam behind the offensive line. Hugh Charles is the best talent in the backfield but he's water-bug big. He needs the bouncers up front and the bodyguard at fullback to thrive. Soon, the Buffs will have power backs playing with Cantrell, who's making his mark early in his career, a fortunate development for the future of the offense.

Think Cantrell needs his own nickname.