Hawkins will be challenged by Ballenger

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Jack Dempsey / Associated Press

Cody Hawkins' experience gives him an edge in the quarterback competition.

BOULDER -- Redshirt freshman Matt Ballenger made as much, maybe more, noise as an Idaho high school point guard than as a quarterback. But Colorado coach Dan Hawkins sold the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Ballenger on a football career that many believe is ready to blossom.

Hawkins believes Ballenger's strong arm, athleticism and grasp of the offense will allow him to challenge Hawkins' son, Cody, CU's 2007 starter, for the No. 1 quarterback job this season.

"(Ballenger's) very, very, very competitive," Dan Hawkins said. "At some point, some people might say too competitive, which I like . . . I mean, he wants to win."

Still, because of experience gained last season, Cody Hawkins remains the unofficial favorite to finish ahead of Ballenger and 2007 backup Nick Nelson when a starter is identified in August.

Asked if that competition could be decided by the conclusion of spring drills, which begin today, Dan Hawkins hedged, saying he preferred to leave the question open-ended among all the contenders rather than naming one and telling the others, "Have a nice summer."

Mark those calendars

* Tentative spring practices dates: Today, Tuesday, Thursday, April 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19 (spring game).

* Tentative times: 4-6 p.m. Spring game: 1 p.m. (Folsom Field).

* Practice policy: First three practices in shorts, four in pads (no tackling), four in pads (tackling allowed 50 percent or less of practice), four in pads (tackling allowed throughout workout). All practices open to the public.

Who's my captain?

CU entered preseason camp in August with tri-captains Bernard Jackson, Jordon Dizon and R.J. Brown pictured on the cover of its 2007 media guide.

By midseason, the only captain left standing was Dizon, after Jackson (academically ineligible) and Brown (concussions) were ruled out.

The Buffaloes enter spring drills with their 2008 captains yet to be identified - an approach Hawkins said will produce its own answer: "Let's go through the rodeo (this spring) and see what happens."

Smart bomb

Linebacker will be a position under scrutiny in spring, mainly because CU loses Dizon, its leading tackler, an All-America selection and the Butkus Award runner-up.

But there are other reasons, too - such as the return of suspended Michael Sipili and academically ineligible Marcus Burton, and the addition of highly touted recruit Lynn Katoa, a spring semester enrollee who can practice but is suspended from competition pending investigation of an alleged assault last month.

Then there's Jeff Smart, a former local (Boulder High School) walk-on who did a fair impersonation of Dizon against Alabama in the Independence Bowl. As defensive coaches reviewed tape of the postseason game, plays they initially believed were made by Dizon actually were made by Smart.

Back end is front/center

Hawkins claims to be "comfortable with the guys we have" in the mix for playing time in a secondary that will be minus cornerback Terrence Wheatley and could be without corner Ben Burney (four offseason surgeries by the time August camp begins).

The corner candidates: Jimmy Smith, Lamont Smith, Gardner McKay, Anthony Perkins, Anthony Wright, Cha'pelle Brown and Jalil Brown, normally a safety.

Burney, a 2007 starter, could use an available redshirt season, but Hawkins hopes Burney, who is out of spring drills, is a quick mender.

Moving men

A season after Kai Maiava became an unlikely starter on the offensive line and a freshman All-America selection, he's being groomed for another unlikely role - fullback.

Maiava is being asked to shed about 35 pounds (300 to 265) while maintaining his fondness for flattening defenders.

Dan Hawkins believes the shift to the backfield is "best for him and best for the team" - the same feeling he has about moving the towering Nate Solder (6-9) from tight end to offensive tackle.

Solder needs to add weight, getting to 280 to 300 pounds to reach maximum effectiveness to go with his reach and quick feet, Hawkins said.

Maiava's move could be temporary, Solder's appears more permanent. He will audition at left tackle, the spot vacated by the graduated Tyler Polumbus, along with starting right tackle Ryan Miller and redshirt freshmen Sione Tau and Ethan Adkins.

Running men

CU's 2008 recruiting class was headlined by five-star running back Darrell Scott, with Ray Polk touted as another incoming tailback who figures to push Scott to the max.

Their presence in August camp will send more than a few ripples through the roster this spring. With starter Hugh Charles graduated, Dan Hawkins expects "a sense of urgency" among returning backs Demetrius Sumler, Brian Lockridge and Kevin Moyd.

Numbers game

13 offensive linemen available for spring practice, more than twice the number the Buffs had available last spring.

Etc.

* Sophomore tight end Riar Geer has been suspended from practice after allegedly assaulting two students during the weekend.

* In addition to competing for the placekicking job, transfers Jameson Davis and Aric Goodman are listed among the punters competing with returning No. 1 punter Matt DiLallo.

* Defensive end Drew Hudgins (ruptured Achilles' tendon) finally appears ready to return. Dan Hawkins likes Hudgins' speed.

* After missing last season because of academic issues, offensive lineman Erick Faatagi is eligible and expected to compete for a starting position.

He said it

"There's a real danger in just assuming you won six (in 2007), so this year you win eight or nine or 10. I think our guys need to understand we're going back to Square 1 and Point A and figuring out all of those things all over. We'll see how that pans out."

Dan Hawkins