FROSH CORNER UDOFFIA EARNS STARTING SPOT

Throughout the offseason, few Colorado players have received as much praise as cornerback Trey Udoffia.

While he has yet to play a college game, the redshirt freshman continues to impress teammates and coaches and he has risen to the top of the depth chart, which CU released Tuesday.

Udoffia is slated to start for the Buffaloes on Sept. 1 when they take on Colorado State in the season opener.

“Right now, Trey Udoffia has probably solidified himself as a No. 1,” secondary coach ShaDon Brown said.

Named CU’s most improved defensive back in the spring, Udoffia has continued to shine throughout preseason camp. But he can’t rest easy. The Buffs also like how junior college transfer Dante Wigley and redshirt freshmen Ronnie Blackmon and Derrion Rakestraw have performed.

“(The depth chart) very fluid based on how they perform,” Brown said.

Freshman making mark.

CU’s depth chart included eight true freshmen in the two-deep, including 30-year-old James Stefanou, who is slotted as the top kicker.

Seven others are listed as the top backup at their positions, including receiver K.D. Nixon, center Colby Pursell, right guard William Sherman, outside linebackers Dante Sparaco and Jacob Callier and inside linebacker Jonathan Van Diest. Linebacker Nate Landman is listed as the No. 2 long snapper.

Last year, just four true freshmen played for the Buffs.

Footnotes.

CU continues to have two open scholarships, and coach Mike MacIntyre said it has yet to be determined how he’ll use those. One spot was vacated when linebacker N.J. Falo was dismissed from the team in the summer. The second was vacated when freshman tight end Sebastian Olver left the team after one practice and went back home to Australia. … Junior safety Jaisen Sanchez is out for the season with a chronic shoulder injury. — Brian Howell, BuffZone.com