Buffs know it will be hard to replace ex-star Lindsay

BOULDER» As Phillip Lindsay continues to impress his new teammates with the Broncos this offseason, the Colorado Buffaloes continue to field questions about how they’re going to replace the dynamic running back.

For being just 5-foot-8, Lindsay left big shoes to fill.

CU’s unofficial all-time leader in state pride and passion, Lindsay left CU with the most yards from scrimmage (4,683) and allpurpose yards (5,760) in program history, while finishing second in career yards rushing (3,707). He also caught 110 career passes — the only running back in CU history to hit triple digits.

A year ago, Lindsay had a CU-record 301 rushing attempts, compiling 1,474 yards and 14 touchdowns.

What do the Buffs have left?

Among their top four returning rushers from last year, one is quarterback, Steven Montez, and two are receivers: K.D. Nixon and Laviska Shenault. While Lindsay had 301 carries, the rest of the running backs combined for 34 carries, 88 yards and no touchdowns.

That doesn’t mean the Buffs don’t have talent at running back, however.

“I like the group,” co-offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini said. “I think there’s a lot of ability there. Is there a lot of inexperience? Yes.”

The bulk of the experience comes from senior Travon McMillian, a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech. In three years with the Hokies, he rushed for 2,152 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ran for 1,042 yards as a freshman in 2015, but his touches and production decreased every year.

At 6-0, 210, McMillian has ideal size and the Buffs are excited to see what he can do. Still, Chiaverini said, “Travon has to learn the offense, and he has to show that he knows what he’s doing.”

Senior Kyle Evans enters fall atop the “pencil” depth chart released by CU last week. The former walk-on has 400 career yards rushing, most coming in 2016, when he had 84 carries for 346 yards and three touchdowns as Lindsay’s primary backup.

Evans spent most of the 2017 offseason recovering from a hip injury and he had just two carries last season. He was impressive during spring, however.

“I was really pleased with him after spring football, and I’m excited to see him in fall camp,” Chiaverini said.

Redshirt freshman Alex Fontenot may be the best of the bunch, but he has yet to play in a college game and must prove himself during camp.

“Fontenot is someone that flashed every time he was in there (in spring),” Chiaverini said. “He’s just a young player that hasn’t played yet, and he has to continue to learn the offense and learn the protections, and in the pass game he’s got to get himself in there, as well.”

The top returning back is junior Beau Bisharat. Used mainly as a blocker and in short-yardage situations last year, he had 21 carries for 61 yards. He could be in the same type of role this year, although he’s pushing to have a bigger impact.

Senior Donovan Lee is another intriguing option. He redshirted last year, but has 422 yards in his career, along with 46 catches for 244 yards.

True freshmen Jarek Broussard and Deion Smith join the group this fall, as well. They’re both talented players who could push for playing time.

There may not be a Phillip Lindsay in the mix, but the Buffs like the talent.

“We have some good running backs that we’re excited about,” coach Mike MacIntyre said. “We’ll see what happens in fall camp and go from there.”