2016 Spring Ball Preview: What Ram fans should expect

Spring is in the air, and we are all one step closer to football season. With spring ball just around the corner, Ram fans will soon get their first look at the team under Mike Bobo in year two.

CSU will suit up for the first time Friday, March 25, and will hold 15 practices over the following month, and will end with the annual Green and Gold Spring Game on Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m.

The official offseason began in mid-January with the “Fourth Quarter Program”, and eight-week strength and conditioning program, but spring ball with be the first organized football practices. 

Moving forward there is plenty to be excited about in Ram Country. Fresh off a Bowl appearance, and the best first-season overall record in CSU history, all eyes will on Bobo in his second season at the helm.

13 starters from last season are set to return in Bobo’s sophomore campaign, including quarterback Nick Stevens, leading tackler Kevin Davis, and 2015 Ray Guy finalist Hayden Hunt, who at times was the Rams most valuable weapon last year.

Losing players like Rashard Higgins, Deandre Elliott, Sam Carlson, Aaron Davis, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Trent Mathews creates a lot of openings at key positions for CSU.

After taking over post-Garrett Grayson, sophomore quarterback Nick Stevens was solid in his first year as a starter. Stevens struggled with accuracy early in the season, and split time with Coleman Key, before being named the sole starter against Air Force week six.

Without having to look over his shoulder every possession, Stevens thrived, and played extremely well in the second half of the season. After starting the season 2-4, Stevens led the Rams to victories in five of the last six  games, and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors.

Stevens’ strong play in the second half of the season, resulted in a third-straight Bowl appearance for the CSU football program, but did not result in a Bowl victory. In the Dec. 29 matchup with Nevada, Stevens did not have a great game, but nearly led the Rams back to victory.

After Nevada’s James Butler scored on a 4-yard run with 1:06 remaining, giving the Wolfpack a 28-23 lead, Stevens took the Rams 76 yards, before Jordon Vaden was tackled inbounds at the Nevada 12-yard line, ending the game.

Even though Stevens and the Rams fell short, he showed great poise and leadership on that closing drive, and if he would have won the game, it would have gone down as one of the most impressive comebacks in CSU history. Stevens’ strong second half of the season, along with his performance in the Bowl Game would assumingly make him QB-one on the depth chart, entering spring ball.

However, Stevens does not necessarily have the starting job locked up this fall. The additions of Georgia transfer Faton Bauta, and Colin Hill could add competition for the starting quarterback job, especially if either impresses the coaches in spring ball.

Along with a possible quarterback controversy, this spring will give a first look at a loaded CSU backfield. Dalyn Dawkins returns, after playing in 12 games as a redshirt sophomore, rushing for 867 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2015. Izzy Matthews returns as well for his sophomore season, after rushing for 590 yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman. Without Jasen Oden Jr, these two backs may have a heavier workload going forward.

Bobo seems to like the running back by committee approach, and Colorado State has a stable of talented backs, that will only get deeper with the arrival of recruits Rashaad Boddie and Darius May this summer.

There are many questions surrounding the Colorado State offense moving forward. Spring ball will be the first look at the team moving forward.  CSU transitioned to a rushing-based attack in 2015, and had a lot of success. Will the Rams continue that trend in 2016? Time will tell.

The foundation for a great season begins in the spring. If the Rams want to make a run at a fourth straight bowl game, the work they put in the next two months will play a huge role; and after losing a second-straight bowl game in 2015, the Rams will be hungry to get back on the playing field. 

New players and coaches bring a fresh look to Fort Collins and CSU football. With a possible quarterback controversy and position openings all over both sides of the ball, there is plenty to follow this spring, and BSN will be there for it all.