Guard? Center? Either way, vets Lynott, Pursell ticketed to start
BOULDER» He’s on the watch list for the Dave Rimington Trophy, which honors the top center in the country. On the Colorado official roster, he’s labeled as a center.
During the first four practices of preseason camp, however, senior Tim Lynott has worked almost exclusively at his familiar spot of right guard.
“Wherever we need me or wherever we need Colby (Pursell), whatever helps the team win that’s what we need,” Lynott said Monday after the Buffaloes’ practice. “I’m good. It’s kind of nice being back at guard and making sure I play well at that position.”
Pursell, a sophomore, started all 12 games at center last year, but an injury sidelined him for much of the spring and summer.
Lynott shifted over to center with Pursell out. While he’d like to compete for the starting job at center, Lynott had no complains with Pursell spending the first four fall practices there.
“It’s a good thing for Colby because he was hurt in the spring and it’s good for him to get some reps before we go into the season, making sure he’s good and making sure he knows all the plays and what to do,” Lynott said. “Colby needs these reps.”
The most experienced player on the roster, Lynott has made 29 of his 33 career starts at right guard (the other four at center, in 2017). During the 2017 season, he jumped around from center to right guard and struggled with the sometimes weekly move. Now, as a senior, he said he’s more comfortable shifting if needed.
“I wasn’t even sure how to snap the ball at that point sometimes,” he said of 2017. “It was definitely difficult for me back then, but I could definitely do it now and be more confident.”
Regardless of where they play, Lynott and Pursell are projected to start. Lynott said the line, as a whole, is coming together.
“I feel like we’re more solid as an O-line,” he said. “No one is an individual. I think we’re more as a whole and that’s definitely something that’s big.” Added duty for Shenault? Last year, star receiver Laviska Shenault was seen lining up at five different positions on offense, including wildcat quarterback. During the first few days of camp, he’s also been working on fielding punts.
“We’ll see if he’s going to be the guy or not,” head coach Mel Tucker said. “We don’t know. We work multiple guys back there, but we’ll do what we have to do to make sure that we can get the job done.”
Four practices into camp, Tucker has nothing but praise how the Buffs show up each day.
“I’m very impressed with the effort that we’re getting from all of the players and how competitive the practices are,” he said. Footnotes. The temperature has been in the 80s during the Buffs’ morning practices. Hot? Not to Tucker. “We’re built for this,” he said. “It’s really a mental toughness deal. This is not heat. I wish it was hotter and I wish it was more humid. That shouldn’t be an issue for us.” … Tucker said outside linebacker Carson Wells is “probably our most underrated player.” … Tucker also said running backs Deion Smith and Alex Fontenot, receivers Daniel Arias and Dimitri Stanley, safety Aaron Maddox and cornerback Chris Miller have been impressive at times in the early days of camp.