Brad Geiger and Neil Langland are back, joining Stuart Whitehair to present our second look at the CU Spring roster, this time focusing on the Buff defense and special teams.
The Colorado defense in 2021 struggled statistically, in part due to a CU offense which had a hard time consistently putting together drives and staying on the field:
The 2021 national rankings (out of 130 teams):
– 96th in the nation in rushing defense (178.6 yds/game);
– 90th in the nation in passing defense (242.3 yds/game);
– 98th in the nation in total defense (420.9 yds/game); and
– 73rd in the nation in scoring defense (26.7 pts/game).
Now the Buffs do return no fewer than five - count ‘em, five - senior defensive linemen. In all there are seven upperclass defensive linemen back, including three starters. Will the experience on the line give CU some production, making it easier for the Buff linebackers to make up for the loss of Nate Landman and Carson Wells? ... Will the three new transfers - Chance Main, Isaac Hurtado and Jeremy Mack - have an instant impact? ... Is there enough young talent in the defensive backfield to make up for the loss of three starters, or will the CU coaching staff be looking to the Transfer Portal for help this summer?
... Let’s find out ...