BACKFIELD LOADED
Experienced youngsters in mix
EDITOR’S NOTE: One in a series of position previews for CU football. Today: Defensive backs.
As true freshmen last fall, Tarik Luckett, Mark Perry and KJ Trujillo went into Colorado’s football season preparing to redshirt.
Luckett, in fact, was expected to not only redshirt, but to spend his days at practice running routes as a receiver.
All three wound up becoming important pieces to the Buffaloes’ secondary.
Season-ending injuries to cornerbacks Mekhi Blackmon and Chris Miller and the mid-season departure of safety Aaron Maddox forced the true freshmen into action last season.
“I think that will benefit us a lot, just being able to get early experience and we’ve still got plenty of time here at Colorado,” Trujillo said after last season.
Trujillo started seven games at corner last season, while Luckett made two starts late in the season. Perry played as a reserve in the nickel/Star role and made his impact felt during the second half of the season.
When the Buffs return to the field, they’ll have not only the experienced youngsters,, but the return of their veterans, Blackmon and Miller..
“With Chris and Mekhi coming back, I think we’re going to have a good secondary,” Trujillo said.
At cornerback, the Buffs have Blackmon and Miller as well as Trujillo as a returning starter. Trujillo, who didn’t play the first three games last season, is now the Buffs’ most experienced corner.
Miller has shown great potential during his three years at CU, but injuries have limited him to four starts and only 308 snaps.
Blackmon, a junior college transfer in 2018, has started five games over the past two years and has played well as a nickel corner.
Luckett and Dylan Thomas, who both came to CU as receivers, moved to corner last year and should compete for playing time.
Nigel Bethel also joins the mix. After transferring from Miami last year, he’s eligible and gives the Buffs another quality option at corner. DJ Oats, who redshirted last year, will hope to compete, as well, and true freshman Christian Gonzalez was a four-star recruit who could start out at corner.
At safety, the Buffs return starter Derrion Rakestraw. The lone senior in the secondary group, Rakestraw has been a receiver and corner at CU, but has settled in at safety and seized the starting role last year with 38 tackles and three interceptions.
Aside from Rakestraw, however, Perry (196 snaps last season) and junior Isaiah Lewis (29 career snaps) are the only safeties with experience at CU.