BOULDER – After a season of creating turnovers, it has been the turnover of the defensive back core itself that has created much discussion during the off-season for the Colorado Buffaloes. Three of the five starters during 2016 are now preparing to play on Sundays and, on top of that, a cornerback that was expected to take over one of those starting gigs has been suspended indefinitely.
They are also transitioning to a new defensive coordinator, DJ Eliot, and defensive backs coach, ShaDon Brown. The one bright spot so far in the off-season for the defensive backs has been Trey Udoffia, who was awarded the Hale Irwin Award, given to the most improved defensive back after spring drills.
“Trey has unbelievable talent,” Brown said when asked about his blossoming cornerback. “He’s a very cerebral kid, you wouldn’t know he was in the room. He’s very focused, has great top end speed. The area that he has to improve on is continuing to play the ball in the air. But I think he’s made great strides. He flashed a lot in the spring. He was voted by the staff as the DB of the spring which was big for him, being a redshirt freshman. And he has continued to come along. He’s very conscientious about his play so he cares when he’s not doing the right things, it internally bothers him and he comes back and battles every play. So we’ll continue to develop him, continue to work with him and he’ll be in the mix for that starting job.”
During his redshirt year last season, he got to learn under the tutelage of Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon. Among the many things he learned from the two NFL players, one that really stuck with him was the need to not get ahead of himself.
“They taught me a lot, especially how to be patient,” the 6-foot, 185-pound corner said. “When I first got here I just wanted to play right away, just like everyone does. The coaches and them (sic) told me that my time would come so I took that to heart and tried to watch everything they did, learn from them, even if they weren’t telling it to me just by watching them. I think I learned a good amount that really helped me improve.”
Now that his time has come, Udoffia has turned his focus to seizing the starting job. He got off to a hot start at the first day of fall practice, where he snagged the first interception of the season. When talking to some of the veterans on the defense, one name always came up quickly.
“Trey Udoffia,” Nick Fisher said without a second thought as to who stood out in the secondary. “He was looking really good throughout the spring, and he had an interception today, our only one.”
Although it looks like Udoffia is the leader in the clubhouse, coach Brown is expecting others to challenge him.
“I’m just looking for all of those guys to step up and see what happens,” Brown said. “And also, we may throw some other guys out there and see what they can do. It’s a work in progress, they’re all talented and we’re just trying to find the best chemistry amongst the five guys back there. Everybody’s in the competition, it’s an open competition. Just like when you have five quarterbacks, I’m having an open competition but I feel good about who that competition is with.”
MacIntyre also wasn’t quick to jump to conclusions with Udoffia. The head coach puts most of his stock in what players can do come game time, especially with young corners.
“[Udoffia] had an excellent spring and he’s worked hard this summer,” MacIntyre said. “He looked good today. The corner position is when you get in game, it’s like the quarterback position. You’re on an island and you’re going to get beat and it’s about how you respond. How are you gonna come back and play physical and aggressive when game time.”
Udoffia understands that he has far to go but for a redshirt freshman there is lots to be excited about, especially if he continues to gain lots of playing time the next four years.
“I’ve worked hard. I was patient, did my work on and off the field. I know my time is now and day by day I’m just getting more comfortable and I think comfort is the key,” he said.
