Fall Previews 17 of 63: Colorado State

Colorado State:

Head Coach: Mike Bobo
2014 Record: (10-3, 6-2 MWC)

Offense:

The Rams have a tall task in front of themselves in needing to replace a quarterback that was a 1st Team All-MWC honoree and a draft pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The Rams are looking to go young with a signal caller as Redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens (15-25/136/1TD) and redshirt freshman Coleman Key are the front runners for the job. Stevens has a bit of experience with action in four games, though that was all with the game well in hand. Key has the size and arm strength to take over the offense but he may need some more seasoning before he is ready to lead the Rams offense.

Despite losing the 2014 leading rusher to the NFL draft, Colorado State has a stable of running backs to lean on led by a battle at the top between Treyous Jarrells (87/450/6TD) and redshirt sophomore Dalyn Dawkins. Jarrells was the team's second leading rusher in 2014 behind Dee Hart in his first year with the team after starting at the JUCO ranks. Dawkins made it to the Rams in a different manner after spending a year at Purdue as a 4-star recruit. The Kentucky native sat out last year as a transfer but is currently listed as a co-starter with Jarrells. Leading the way in the running game is a player that saw action on defense in his first three years, redshirt senior Nu’uvali Fa’apito (18 tkl, 0.5 tfl, 0.5 sacks). Fa’apito should be able to adapt to the offensive side of the ball immediately but if he struggles, redshirt junior Danny Nwosu will find his way on the field. Running backs Jasen Oden Jr. (46/276/2TD), Deron Thompson (23/86/0TD), Bryce Peters (2/18/0TD), and Eric Williams (2/4/0TD) will be fighting for playing time as well.

At tight end, the Rams are loaded with two Mackey Award Watch List honorees led by senior Steven Walker (30/279/4TD). The 1st team All-MWC selection in 2014 is an excellent player and should be an important cog in the machine that is the Colorado State offense. Redshirt junior Nolan Peralta (4/37/0TD) is currently a co-starter on the depth chart with Walker. Redshirt senior Kivon Cartwright (1/22/0TD) is on the Mackey Award Watch list after missing all but one game of the 2014 season to injury. Cartwright has 54 career catches for the Rams and if he is healthy, he should provide the Rams with three very good tight end options.

The Rams return one of the most decorated players in school history for his junior and most likely last season with Colorado State. Junior Rashard Higgins (96/1,750/17TD) was a first team All-American, a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, first team All-MWC, the nation's leader in receiving yards and has 164 receptions for 2,587 yards and 23 touchdowns in his two seasons for the Rams. His receptions in 2014 were 61 more than any other returning wide receiver on the roster. Backing Higgins up is redshirt sophomore Sammie Long (1/6/0TD). At the other two starting wide receiver slots are senior Joe Hansley (35/540/2TD) and sophomore Deionte Gaines (9/69/0TD). Backups Xavier Williams (30/430/3TD), Cole Anderson, Robert Ruiz, and Elroy Masters Jr. (10/156/1TD) will all see some playing time as well for the Rams.

The Rams have a strong combination of youth and experience on the offensive line heading into the upcoming season with two 13 game starters last fall. Left tackle is one of the full season starters in making all the starts in 2014. Sam Carlson (13 career starts) will bring stability to the quarterback blindside and at 6-4, 295 pounds is athletic but still a massive player. Redsshirt sophomore Trae Moxley will be the backup for Carlson. Moving inside, the experience level drops significantly with redshirt sophomore Zack Golditch penciled in as the projected starter despite only seeing action in four games so far in his career. Reshirt freshman Zach Stefo is right behind Golditch at left guard and should put up a fight for the position. In the middle at center, redshirt senior Kevin O’Brien (9 career starts) is the projected starter with true freshman Colby Meeks second in line but redshirt sophomore Jake Bennett made all three starts before falling injured last season. At right guard is the most lauded player on the Rams offensive line in redshirt junior Fred Zerblis (13 career starts). The right guard was an Honorable mention All-MWC member last season and is projected to be the best player from the Colorado State offensive line this fall. Redshirt freshman Jordan Benson will be his understudy this fall. Finally, at right tackle the Rams are again inexperienced with redshirt junior Nick Callender (3 career starts) getting the call despite making only three career starts on the line. If he can gel with what else is expected to be a solid offensive line, the Rams can be good this fall. Redshirt junior Christian Montes will be the backup.

Defense: 

Colorado State has some talent returning in 2015 on the defensive line with defensive end Joe Kawulok (33 tkl, 5.5 tfl, 3.5 sacks) leading the way. The redshirt senior will be expected to not only dominate in the trenches but also lead verbally this fall. Redshirt sophomore Brett Jordan will be expected to step into the rotation despite earning no game experience last fall. Inside at defensive tackle, redshirt senior Justin Hansen (28 tkl, 1 tfl) will lead the way. The 6-5, 305 pound behemoth is great at pulling blockers off of the linebackers to double team him. His physical presence alone is noteworthy. 6-4, 265 pound Jakob Buys was a special teams stud and will need to step his game up on the defensive side of the ball. Another senior takes the field at nose tackle in Terry Jackson (44 tkl, 5 tfl, 1.5 sacks). The 44 tackles is an impressive total for a 6-1, 295 pound nose tackle that is normally used to clog the middle of the field. Redshirt freshman backup Colton Foster will be learning on the job after earning the second team role heading into fall camp. In the combo defensive end/linebacker slot known as Buck, redshirt senior SteveO Michel (30 tkl, 4.5 tfl, 2 sacks) will be needed for his ability to stop not only the running game but also rush the passer. Redshirt sophomore Evan Colorito (2 tkl) will see his role expanded as a backup this fall.

The Rams will need senior middle linebacker Cory James (51 tkl, 8.5 tfl, 6.5 sacks) to continue his impressive play but make more tackles this fall. James is top returning player for the Rams in tackles for loss and sacks. His ability to stay on the field cannot be understated as redshirt freshman Josh Watson is the backup. Strong side linebacker is a bit of a question mark with the top two on the depth chart making a total of 11 tackles last fall. Kiel Robinson is the leader heading into fall camp and with his 6-2, 225 size that is big enough to withstand the contact but also allow him to stayt athletic on the field. Fellow redshirt sophomore Pierre Copeland III will back up Robinson. Finally, at weakside linebacker redshirt junior  Kevin Davis (22 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 1 sack) showed the ability in 2014 to play in the backfield and make tackles for loss. Junior Deonte Clyburn Jr. (20 tkl, 0.5 tfl) is the backup and should see significant playing time this fall.


The Rams are looking good in the secondary with key returnees at right cornerback, free safety and strong safety back for the 2015 season. Right cornerback Tyree Simmons (42 tkl, 2 tfl, 3 INT) played well with three interceptions and will be the elder statesman on the edge with redshirt freshman Marcus Wilson playing the role of backup. Free safety Kevin Pierre-Louis (85 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 sack, 1 INT) is back for his senior year and is the leading returning tackler for the Rams. Pierre-Louis can play deep but also close to the line of scrimmage as evidenced by his three tackles for loss in 2014. Backup Nick Januska (15 tkl) is capable but no where near as experienced as Pierre-Louis. At strong safety, redshirt senior Trent Matthews (54 tkl, 1 tfl, 3 INT) made three interceptions and has made all 39 possible starts in his career. Matthews is a coach on the field and will be expected to get the defense in correct positioning this fall. Redshirt sophomore Jake Schlager is his backup. Left cornerback is a question mark as Saladin McCullough is in his third year with the Rams but has yet to play in a game. How well he can handle the extreme uptick in playing time will go a long way in determining how well the defense does. Expect teams to test him early this fall. Sophomore Shun Johnson (14 tkl, 1 tfl) is the backup and should see playing time as well. 24 Preston Hodges (69 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 INT) will see plenty of time on the field at the nickle position after putting up an impressive 69 tackles last fall. DeAndre Elliott: (30 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 INT) has made 23 career starts for the Rams but is not currently listed on the CSU depth chart. He will be on it by the time week one rolls around.

Special Teams: 

After an impressive sophomore season, redshirt junior Hayden Hunt is expected to be a field position weapon for the Rams in 2015. Hunt punted 51 times last fall with an average of 43.8 yards per punt, a long of 63 yards, 14 punts inside the 20, and 13 punts over 50 yards. The punter made the Honorable mention All-MWC team. Redshirt freshman Wyatt Bryan is the projected starter at kicker but has yet to kick in an FBS level game.

Overall:
The Rams are coming off of a 10-3 season that may have been the best season in school history last fall. Despite losing several very important players, Colorado State is looking for back to back 10 win seasons.

The Rams start the season versus lowly Savannah State in a game that the Rams starters should see no more than a single half of play. The next two weeks are very important for Colorado State as they play Minnesota and Colorado in back to back weeks. The Minnesota game is tricky and the Rams should fall but easily pull out a win versus Colorado to get to 2-1 on the season. After a win over UTSA, the Rams face a make or break stretch with Utah State, Boise State, Air Force, and San Diego State in the four weeks of October. My best guess is that the Rams go 1-3 in that stretch and head to November with a 4-4 overall record.

November starts well with reasonable matchups versus Wyoming, UNLV, and New Mexico to get to 7-4 and bowl eligible. Colorado State falls in a season finale versus Fresno State and but wins their bowl to go 8-5. Prediction: 8-5.