“Savvy vet” Jay MacIntyre shining in fall camp for Buffs
BuffZone.com
Bryce Bobo, Shay Fields and Devin Ross are seniors who have put up big numbers and produced highlight-reel plays.
Kabion Ento is a senior with enormous talent, and junior Juwann Winfree is viewed as potentially the best of the group.
And, then there’s the freshman class, which includes two fourstar recruits.
It’s no wonder Colorado’s wide receiving corps is viewed as one of the best in the country.
The seemingly forgotten member of the group, however, is Jay MacIntyre, a junior slot receiver and the older son of Buffaloes coach Mike MacIntyre.
Along with Bobo, Fields and Ross, MacIntyre is a returning starter. He caught 30 passes for 390 yards and a touchdown last season and is off to a great start during preseason camp.
“He’s a much better player at this point this year than he was even last year,” CU co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini said. “He’s doing a good job for us.”
While he doesn’t have the stats or the flash to match his fellow receivers, MacIntyre is pushing to have an even better season than he did a year ago.
“I’ve worked real hard in the weight room and on the field to get better at my craft, and I think that’s helped me,” MacIntyre said this week. “I think I’ve had a good camp. All the receivers, we push each other because it’s a good group. Overall, I’m just trying to stay consistent throughout camp, do my job and play my role, and I feel like I’ve done a good job of that.”
MacIntyre became a reliable weapon for former CU quarterback Sefo Liufau, turning eight of his third- or fourth-down catches into first downs last year. MacIntyre averaged 13.0 yards per catch, and half of his 30 receptions went for 10 yards or more.
Chiaverini believes MacIntyre can continue being the same type of weapon this year with Steven Montez at quarterback.
“Jay is a savvy vet,” Chiaverini said. “I think the reason you don’t hear as much about him is because he’s always doing his job. You’re not worried about him messing up or not knowing his assignments. He’s always in the right spot. He’s consistently making plays.
“Jay is a big part of what we’re doing offensively, and he’s going to continue to be a big part of what we’re doing. I’m excited about his progress.”
Like the rest of the receivers, MacIntyre has gained extra motivation by the intense competition among the group.
“It definitely makes you better, and we’re all good friends, too,” he said. “You look over your shoulder, and if the guy behind you can beat you out, you have a good team, and that’s what we’ve got. It’s a great group, and it pushes me every day.”
Being a regular starter and contributor last year has made MacIntyre confident he can get his share of catches again this year.
“When you play, you gain confidence,” he said. “I’m older now, and I’ve seen the game. I know different things that work and don’t work. You take that and you develop your game over time. Once you start making plays on the field, you start getting more and more confidence and you know you can step in there, and you know they trust you.”