BOULDER — For the first time in more than six months, JT Shrout took the practice field on Wednesday.
“It was really fun to get back out there,” Shrout told reporters after the practice. “It was tough watching last year every day not having a chance to do anything. It’s fun to be out there and throw the ball around a little bit for sure.”
Colorado’s junior quarterback tore his ACL last August during a scrimmage. At the time he was in the midst of a competition with then-freshman Brendon Lewis for the starting job. When Shrout went down, Lewis took the starting job. Now that job is back up for grabs ahead of the 2022 season.
Prior to the start of spring camp, Shrout met with coaches to decide on a plan for the spring. The decision was for Shrout to participate in individual drills and 7-on-7 work, but to stay away from all full-contact football. That includes all three of the scrimmages scheduled to take place over the next three weeks.
“You have to listen to your body, try not to push it too much,” Shrout said. “You don’t want to have to take a few steps backward.”
Shrout will be comfortable on the sideline, considering he spent the entire 2021 season there. He’s found out how he can be valuable even when he can’t be on the field.
“Last year I kind of took on a coaching role,” Shrout said. “I tried to stay engaged mentally as much as I could and then rehab through that process every day. Just helping out Brendon and helping out our offense last year was kind of what got me through it.”
Part of that coaching role was sitting in on game-planning conversations with head coach Karl Dorrell and finding a role for himself on Saturdays.
“What can I do to help? What can I look for on the side line for you?” Shrout said. “And then some of it was just cracking jokes. I’ve got a good relationship with Coach Dorrell so a little mixture of that. But seeing stuff through his eyes and getting to learn from him last year was a good experience for me. I think it’ll help me on the field this year.”
While Karl Dorrell is back as head coach this season, most of the offensive staff has changed. Only running backs coach Darian Hagan is returning. That means there are new relationships to develop and a new offense to learn. The architect of that offense will be Mike Sanford Jr., Colorado’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
So far, Shrout is happy with what he’s seen from the new scheme.
“It’s very quarterback-centered,” he said. “There’s a lot of control and a lot of elements that we have to take ownership for and really understand in order for us to function and execute well on the field. We’re going to be pretty multiple and it’s got a lot go elements from different offenses he’s been in.”
Shrout say it’s helpful have the coordinator also be his position coach.
“You get to be with him more and pick his brain on how he thinks and how he operates in terms of play-calling,” Shrout said. “And then, obviously, he’s played the position and he’s been there as a player and then he’s coached for a long time. He’s very knowledgeable. I think every one of us (quarterbacks) has a great relationship with him. He’s just super personable. I’ve loved the time that we’ve gotten to spend with him.”
For the next three weeks, Shrout will be spending just a little bit more time with Sanford than he’d probably like. But, according to both Shrout and Dorrell, the quarterback should be full-go for fall camp in August, where he’ll have a chance to claim the starting job.
