Worthington, Fisher the top duo at safety

BOULDER» Returning to the Colorado football team last season, Evan Worthington was a new man — both in name and his play.

Having changed his last name from White, Worthington returned after getting dismissed from the team before the 2016 season and was one of the best players on the Buffaloes’ defense last season.

Nick Fisher, meanwhile, got the most playing time of his career and showed his potential to be a top player.

Going into this year, that duo is expected to anchor the back of the CU defense at safety.

“Those guys that played last year, Nick and Evan, I feel good about,” defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot said.

If Fisher and Worthington stay healthy, they’ve got a chance to be a formidable duo.

Worthington, who starred at Aurora’s Cherokee Trail High School before coming to CU, flashed his potential as a young player in 2014 and 2015. Matured and more focused last year, he was arguably the best overall player on the defense.

Going into this year, Worthington is garnering some attention, named to the preseason all-Pac-12 third team by Phil Steele, Athlon and Lindy’s.

Fisher, meanwhile, had a great spring for the Buffs, and seems to be seizing the opportunity in front of him to finally become a fulltime starter. Earlier this week, he was also named a team captain, which speaks volumes about the leadership he brings to the table.

Beyond that duo, however, the Buffs have very little experience and will have a fierce battle for playing time during fall camp.

Senior Kyle Trego has been a backup since he arrived as a junior college transfer in 2016, but he had a great spring. Safeties coach ShaDon Brown said he saw Trego take his game up a notch or two this offseason.

The Buffs will also be looking for several newcomers to step up and prove they can help on game day.

Sophomore Derrion Rakestraw — a former receiver and cornerback — hopes to get into the mix, along with junior college transfer Aaron Maddox, sophomore Kevin George (a 2017 juco transfer who redshirted last year), redshirt freshman Isaiah Lewis and true freshmen Hasaan Hypolite and Ray Robinson. Walk-ons Lucas Cooper and Daniel Talley will also fight to get on the field.

Maddox, one of the top juco prospects in the 2018 class, had offseason shoulder surgery and sat out of the spring, but should be ready to go. If he is healthy, he may be the best of the bunch, but Eliot said, “It’ll be interesting to see how (the competition) pans out.”