CSU Rams making strides as spring football enters third week

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Colorado State wrapped up its second week of spring football with its first scrimmage Saturday at Canvas Stadium, and head coach Jay Norvell said afterward he has been impressed with what he has seen as the team enters week three of five.

Norvell expressed his excitement about his new coaches and how the team’s defense has responded to them. He also singled out some individual players, like transfers Lloyd Avant at running back and Rocky Beers at tight end, as ones he has been pleased with in the early stages of spring practice.

“I’m most pleased with the focus and energy of our team,” Norvell said. “I think our coaches have really brought a lot of energy to the team. I’m really proud of our new defensive coaches and (tight ends) coach Grant Chestnut on offense. Those guys have really brought a lot of experience and energy to our program. I’m just really proud of how our staff is pushing our team.”

Led by new defensive coordinator Tyson Summers, the Rams have spent time on that side of the ball adjusting to his new system.

While it has been a work in progress, the players are excited about learning the ins and outs of the new schemes as they adjust to Summers’ style and vision, which involve putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

“At first, I looked at it and I was like, ‘Oh, man, I haven’t played this defense since I was a sophomore in high school. So, I might not like this,’” redshirt senior defensive lineman Mukendi Wa-Kalonji said. “But as I gave it a chance in week one, week two, week three, I started getting the hang of it. I could definitely play in this defense, and I feel like I could dominate in this defense.”

Wa-Kalonji also said that he likes the fast pace and the energy that Summers brings.

A few new Rams got a chance to shine in Saturday’s scrimmage, the team’s first live-action scenarios of spring workouts. One of those was Avant, a transfer from Tulsa, who scored a pair of touchdowns with the first-team offense.

Norvell has been impressed with him, as well as returners Keegan Holles and Jalen Dupree. Returning running back Justin Marshall didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“I was really pleased with some of the things we saw, some of the plays the new running backs made,” Norvell said. “Lloyd Avant really showed up, so I was proud of that. Keegan had some moments, too. I’m really, really proud of the development of the running backs.

“Lloyd Avant kind brings a different element that we haven’t had. Justin didn’t even practice today, but Jalen Dupree continues to show great signs, and so a lot of good things in the running game.”

Another player who shined in the scrimmage was new tight end Beers, a Colorado native and transfer from Florida International. He caught a pass from quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi down the seam to score a touchdown.

Norvell hopes he, along with the return of Jaxxon Warren, who missed last year with an injury, can make the tight end position as explosive as it has been in the past with Dallin Holker two years ago and Trey McBride, now the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, a couple of years before that.

“Rocky Beers is a tight end who’s doing a good job for us,” Norvell said. “Jaxxon Warren is still coming off his injury but we’re encouraged by his progress as well. So, really pleased with the tight ends. Those guys are going to be, I think, more productive this year than they were a year ago.”

Finally, the Rams will have some new faces step up at wide receiver this year after losing Tory Horton to graduation and Armani Winfield and Jamari Person, the team’s top two receivers last season after Horton was lost with an injury, to the transfer portal.

Norvell said this is the first year as a head coach that he hasn’t had either Romeo Doubs (at Nevada) or Horton in his arsenal.

One player expected to step up is Tommy Maher, a former walk-on who showed signs of what he can do toward the end of last season and hopes to take advantage of more opportunities in the fall.

“The coaches have been preaching to us, Tory’s not here,” Maher said. “It’s obviously a huge part of our game the last few years. It’s time for us to step up and step into new leadership roles. It’s been great.”

CSU will have its second scrimmage Saturday to mark the end of the third week of spring practice, which will culminate in the annual Green and Gold Game on April 26.

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