Lopez, Rakestraw set at new spots

BOULDER» Colorado football coach Mike MacIntyre said tight end Eddy Lopez and cornerback Derrion Rakestraw have found permanent homes in their new positions.

Lopez, a fourth-year junior, was shifted from defensive line after spring drills. Rakestraw, a redshirt freshman, was moved from the crowded receiver corps.

Both are doing well through the first week of camp.

“The other day, our first day in pads, I thought that Eddy Lopez did a really good job blocking at the tight end spot,” MacIntyre said. “He’s understanding what’s going on.”

At 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, Lopez is bigger than the typical tight end, but MacIntyre said Lopez runs well and, having played basketball in high school, has good hand-eye coordination.

It’s not likely the Buffs will use Lopez much as a receiver, though. CU would like to see Lopez get to 275-280 pounds and be a blocker in the run game.

“We want him big because we want him in the power sets and in-line sets,” he said.

Rakestraw is off to a good start at corner.

“He’s long and athletic and he made some plays,” MacIntyre said. “We just need to keep him coming along.”

Rakestraw played cornerback in high school and had some schools recruiting him for defense.

Open scrimmage.

Saturday will be the one and only opportunity during preseason camp for fans to watch the Buffs. A practice/scrimmage will be held at Folsom Field, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Buffs will do about 40 minutes of stretching and individual drills before scrimmaging.

MacIntyre said it will be a “vanilla” scrimmage, and also said that young and inexperienced players will play “a little more.”

The Buffs will have a meet-and-greet session between players and fans after the scrimmage.

Hamilton Footnotes. out.

Outside linebacker Shamar Hamilton, a junior college transfer who arrived in January, has not been practicing because of a leg injury.

MacIntyre said the Buffs are awaiting an MRI to find out the extent of the injury.

“We’re getting the doctors to look at it and we’ll see if he’ll be able to go or not,” he said.

MacIntyre said cornerback Dante Wigley, a junior college transfer, has had a good camp so far. “He feels more comfortable out there than he did in the spring,” MacIntyre said. “I’ve been pleased with Dante with his improvement from spring until now.” ... After Saturday’s scrimmage, the Buffs will take the day off Sunday.