At this time last year, Mike Bobo was leading the Rams for the first time. After spending nearly two decades as a player and a coach for the University of Georgia, he took his family out west to the land of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

As a first-year head coach, Bobo was not inheriting a program in ruins. Quite the opposite, in fact, as Colorado State football was coming off of their first 10-win season in over a decade. One of the perks of taking over a successful program is that generally the team is already filled with experienced, talented players. The problem is teaching that talented group of players a completely new system in one offseason.

The result can create a lack of communication and on-field leadership, stemming from unfamiliarity with the system. A lack of communication on the field leads to preventable mistakes and often big plays for the opposing team.

“We had to be coach-led last year,” Bobo told members of the media Tuesday. “We’re trying to now be a little bit more of a player-led football team.”

Going into Year Two under Bobo, the coaching staff is hoping to see more on-field leadership from the team in 2016. After losing a ton of experienced players in 2015, the CSU coaching staff is focusing on creating competition and developing leadership this spring.

Offensive coordinator Will Friend also expressed similar interests. “We’ve got to develop leadership on our football team,” he said.

In Tuesday’s spring press conference, Bobo identified multiple leaders he’s seen though their work ethic either last year, through the offseason or a combination of both. 

“Offensively, Jake Bennett in my mind, has had a good 4th quarter,” Bobo said. “We feel like he has some characteristic traits. Nolan Peralta is a guy who’s going to have an expanded role with us at tight end. And probably still a little bit at fullback. But he’s what I want in a football player. It’s all about the team. He does not have one selfish bone in his body.

“And then the quarterback position by trade,” Bobo continued on likely leaders for this season. “It’s got to be a guy with leadership ability. I’m really pleased with the way Nick (Stevens) has stepped up. You’ve got these guys like Faton (Bauta), I’ve already talked about his work ethic. At the end of the day, a lot of times it’s your play that helps gain respect.

“Defensively, Kevin Davis is a guy that we’re trying to promote and push into that leadership role, and is doing a good job,” said Bobo. “I think ‘The Program’ came in and did a great job with him, helping teach him some things. How to communicate better. Deonte Clyburn is a guy that was a leader for us last year when he stepped on the field. We’re going to miss his leadership in the spring, he’s going to be out. But, he’s still going to be involved…Then, hopefully some more guys will step up.”

Defensive coordinator Marty English also emphasized Kevin Davis as a leader moving forward, along with defensive lineman Josh Watson.

After losing SteveO Michel and Cory James from 2015, and losing Clyburn to injury, linebacker depth is thin for the Rams moving forward. In his first full season as a starter in 2015, Davis led the Rams in tackles with 101. As a senior in 2016, Colorado State will need Davis to continue to produce at a high level and to be one of those young men to step up and shepherd the Rams.

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Jake Bennett is another guy that will be expected to lead CSU in 2016. Bennett started all 13 games for the Rams in 2015, and his ability to play guard or center gives the Rams flexibility on the offensive line. Bennett has benefited from playing alongside former Ram greats Weston Richburg, Ty Sambraillo, and most recently, Sam Carlson. Richburg and Sambrailo are now in the NFL and Carlson may have a chance to join their ranks later this spring.

CSU’s offense returns four starters from what was an extremely productive offensive line in 2015. If Bennett can lead this experienced group of lineman, the Ram offense could see huge strides in Bobo’s second year, considering their head coach loves to run the ball down the throats of his opponents.

Peralta enters the spring as a starting tight end for the Rams, and he will try and mimic the success of Kivon Cartwright and Steven Walker during their tenure with the team. Tight ends have revolutionized football, moving from mostly a blocker into pass-catchers, and the position has played a huge role in the CSU offense over the years. Cory Sperry, Crockett Gillmore; now it’s Peralta’s time to shine.

At quarterback, the Rams could be in for controversy this spring. Bauta is expected to compete with Stevens for the starting job, and coaches have emphasized that both players will receive an opportunity to run with the starters this spring. J.C. Robles and Collin Hill could also be in the mix, but all four were praised for their work ethic.

“But, every Saturday I come up here and there would be Collin and Faton in the offensive staff room, books spread out, watching film, writing, drawing plays,” Bobo said of the incoming quarterbacks. “That’s what Aaron Murray was to Faton. Faton saw how Aaron Murray worked.

“Faton had it in him, he’s a self motivator,” Bobo continued. “He saw how that guy (Murray) prepared. Aaron Murray wasn’t the greatest athlete, didn’t have the strongest arm. But he worked himself into the player he was. And he was never satisfied, he always got better. And Faton saw that.”

“I think it’s also raised the work ethic of Nick and J.C. (Robles),” Bobo said. “I’m excited about that room. I think we’ve got competition at that position.”

So, how are the coaches promoting leadership?

“We have a unity council, leadership council where we talk about things (like) how to be good leaders, how to encourage your teammates, how to build relationships,” Bobo explained. “I’m not going to go into every guy in that leadership council…Young guys can lead, too. You can lead within your workout group. You’re building yourself up so when your time comes, you’re ready to be in leadership.

“So, I encourage leadership,” Bobo said. “We’ve got to find leadership within our segments, we’ve got to find leadership within our offense and defense and we’ve got to find leadership that can cross over to the whole team.”

As the shepherd goes, so go his Rams. Now, Mike Bobo is looking for leaders within the flock at Colorado State.