Will Friend on 2016 offensive commits: “We felt like we needed to get more explosive”

On the football field, speed kills.

For the Colorado State Rams football team, speed has been lacking until recent years, where we’ve seen a few in green and gold with the ability to turn on the “next gear” and take the ball to the house.

This 2016 class offers that explosive speed which allows players to get the corner, break off big runs and then, run past the safety for giant touchdowns. Without calling players out by name, head coach Mike Bobo talked about his frustrations in players’ inability to get past the safety and turn big runs into those homerun hits which can turn the momentum of a game.

This year’s class offers hope in that all-important speed department.

There’s Darius May, a senior out of New Orleans, Louisiana who knows how to get to the house. He’s a stand-up runner with a north-south mentality, utilizing straight-forward speed to run past everyone to the end zone.

Marvin Kinsey is listed at running a 4.44 40-yard dash and played both running back and safety in high school. If the Rams decide to put him in the offensive backfield, we could see the young man breaking off multiple explosive runs. His ability to cut back against the grain makes it difficult for defenses to decide where he’s going to go.

And then there’s Detrich Clark, who’s been timed with a 4.28 40-yard dash. On his highlight tape, that speed allows him to get the edge against the defense. Then, in the open field, he’s a terror to try to stop and tackle as he cruises to the goal line. Clark, though, may be used as a defensive back. We’ll see.

Michael Gallup can really run, too. The 6-foot-1 receiver’s long legs give him a big stride and the 3-star wideout will help give CSU speed on the edges.

Simply said, Colorado State made an effort to go out and find explosive playmakers. It’s what I asked offensive coordinator Will Fiend on Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 3.

“As a football team, we wanted to be more explosive,” Friend said. “That was a goal for us this time. And, we did that. We got some guys that probably got a little higher top-end speed than what we played with last fall.

“But, yeah, we felt like we needed to get more explosive,” he continued.

As Friend continues, he explains the emphasis the coaching staff has put on the returning running backs about finishing off runs with touchdowns. Also of note, they’ve asked Izzy Matthews to lose some weight.

With Dalyn Dawkins and Izzy Matthews, the Rams will have a one-two punch of brute force and speed. Adding in the crazy-fast running backs CSU found this year, a well as bruising back Rashaad Boddie, the Rams reloaded with a truly talented running back pool.

And, who the running backs will be running behind is also key.

Colorado State notably signed two massive offensive linemen in Jeff Taylor (6-foot-2, 290 pounds) and Nicho Garcia (6-foot-4, 290 pounds), and Friend explained the Rams were looking to improve the interior of the offensive line.

“Zach Goldich, who had played at guard, he’s going to move to his more natural position at tackle,” Friend said. “So, with knowing he was going to do that, we felt like we needed to focus on the interior. And Nicho is a guy who can play both, but more suited to play a guard probably…and will be able to be in the fray right away.

“Jeff is a guy who’s young, high school player, but he’s an extremely talented athlete,” Friend continued. “Got great feet, great explosion. We’re going to try to train Jeff…we think he can be a center.”

So, there you have it, Ram fans. Not only a look at the speed the offense brought on board, but a sneak peek of how the offensive line might shape up.