Utah transfer Fogal making good first impression for Rams in drills at safety

FORT COLLINS» All that was taking place was positional work on just the second full-team workout of fall camp. The first thing one notices is the numbers.

In the corner of the partial practice field at Colorado State, safeties coach Jamie Bryant has six players to work with, and he’s running them through drills. It’s noticeable, because it’s more than he had to work with by the end of spring camp.

Then the next thing which takes place is really something to note. The first five guys in the line have done their work, backpedaling and swiveling their hips to changes direction. The last guy to go is Jordan Fogal.

“Now watch how Jordan does it,” Bryant barks out, which is interesting, because Fogal is one of the new guys. Other than a small hitch in the last twist, Bryant highlights it with: “That’s how you do it.”

One only gets a single chance to make that first impression, and from the tone in coach Mike Bobo’s voice and the stress he puts on his statement, it’s rather clear Fogal, who transferred from Utah, doesn’t need another shot.

“What I see out of Jordan Fogal is a guy that knows how to practice,” he starts. “He understands what full speed is every snap, he understands where to get into coverage, he understands breaks on the ball. He’s got instincts.

“Quite frankly, I told him (Saturday): ‘I don’t care if you just got here. Make us understand how you’re supposed to practice.’ That guy has been somewhere where he has to compete for playing time. It’s evident.”

Fogal and Colorado State found each other, as he was leaving Utah as a graduate looking to play further.