2014 Colorado Buffaloes Offensive Newcomers to Watch

The 2014 Colorado Buffaloes football season is starting in less than one week.

Head Coach Mike MacIntyre has closed practices so the Buffs can prepare for Jim McElwain's Colorado State Rams this coming Friday at the Rocky Mountain Showdown in Denver.

As with most programs across the country, the opening game of the season gives fans a chance to see new players for the first time. Since MacIntyre has opted to not share the depth chart heading into the big rivalry game with little brother up in Fort Collins, this will give a look at some of the young men who will be playing Offense (and Special Teams).

To qualify for the list of newcomers, these players have to be either Transfers, Redshirt Freshman, or True Freshman.

Starting with "Big Men" who toil in the trenches, CU fans are likely to see three new faces playing at various times.

Offensive Line Coach Gary Bernardi is a strong proponent of having his men know how to play several positions across the line. With that being the case, don't be surprised to some of these guys playing Tackle during one series and Guard later in the game. Or some might move from Guard to Center (or vice-versa).

This will be vastly different from last year, where the same five guys played nearly every snap at the same positions the entire season. That was necessary because of horrible depth last year, along with the desire to redshirt as many young linemen as possible.

New Offensive Linemen to Keep an Eye On -

• Shane Callahan -- 6'6" 300 lbs. (Soph.)

Shane is a Colorado native who was a four star recruit to Auburn University.  He was a backup last year for a team that made it to the National Championship game.

Due to some family issues here in Colorado, Shane transferred to CU and was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA. His arrival makes the Colorado offensive line a much better unit.

The only depth chart issued by CU was August 2nd before the start of camp. Since Callahan had not officially joined the team yet, he is not even listed. Expect to see A LOT of Shane Callahan this fall and for the next two years.

• Sully Weifels -- 6'3"  300 lbs. (Junior Transfer)

Sully comes to Colorado from Eagle, Idaho by way of the American River College in Sacramento. He was considered one of the top offensive linemen from the JC ranks this year. He will have two years of eligibility at CU.

Like Callahan above, Weifels gives CU much needed depth along the front line. Expect to see him tried at various positions as CU coaches come up with the best unit to lead the team.

• Jonathan Huckins -- 6'3" 305 lbs. (RS-FR) 

Jonathan arrived last year from The Woodlands, Texas. He redshirted last year and has added 15 lbs to his frame and a great deal of strength working with Dave Forman.

He entered fall camp listed 2nd on the depth chart at both Left Guard and Center. Expect to see Jonathan at several positions this season.

• Sam Kronshage -- 6'5" 285 lbs. (RS-FR)

Like Huckins above, Sam arrived last year from The Woodlands, Texas, where they were teammates in high school. Sam entered fall camp as the backup to Nembot at Right Tackle and 3rd at Left Tackle.

Like Huckins and Callahan, expect Sam to be on the field this fall at various junctures.


New Skill Position Players to Look For this Season -

• Phillip Lindsay, Running Back -- 5'8" 175 lbs. (RS-FR)

The redshirt freshman who played at Denver South has been compared favorably to Buff legend Eric Bieniemy, and not just for his size. He is fiery player that his head coach has nicknamed the Tasmanian Devil. He was the top running back prospect in Colorado in high school.

He was named the Offensive Scout Player of the Year during his redshirt year, and received the Fred Casotti Award this spring as the most improved running back.

Even though Phillip enters a crowded backfield competition with Christian Powell, Michael Adkins II, and  Tony Jones, expect coaches to get him on the field to showcase his moves and enthusiasm.

• Bryce Bobo, Wide Receiver --  6'2" 190 lbs. (RS-FR)

Bryce entered fall camp as the #1 receiver at the "X" wide receiver position. He came to CU from Charter Oak High in Covina, California. His teams in HS won the prestigious Sierra League titles his junior and senior season.

CU coaches have raved about the young man this spring and fall camp.  Expect Bryce to be a favorite target of QB Sefo Liufau this fall and in coming years.

• Shay Fields, Wide Receiver -- 5'11" 170 lbs. (Freshman)

Shay is a true freshman with speed to burn. He came to CU after playing at powerhouse St. John Bosco in California. His high school team last year finished the year 16-0 and was rated the #1 high school team in the United States.

Although Shay is a true freshman, expect him to get playing time both as a wide receiver and on special teams, where he excelled in high school as a return man.

• Lee Walker, Wide Receiver -- 6'0" 175 lbs. (Freshman)

Lee comes to Colorado from James Madison HS in San Diego. He took a year off after high school and entered fall camp as a true freshman. His bio lists him as 2nd on the depth chart at the "X" wide receiver position, but the depth chart lists him as 2nd at the "Z" wide receiver.

With the uptempo offense of Coordinator Brian Lindgren, expect to see quite a bit from Walker this season.