Buffs Camp Day 1 Notes: Montez "was sharp mentally"

Football is back!

We’re on the ground at Buffs camp every day and we’re bringing you the headlines after each practice.

Here’s what went down on Day 1:

Montez shines

Steven Montez was the first name out of Mel Tucker’s mouth at his post-practice presser.

“Steven was really sharp mentally today at quarterback,” Tucker said. “I really liked his command of the offense. He was really quick with his checks, threw the ball on time.”

This may have been Tucker’s way of pre-empting the common criticism of Montez’s game; the quarterback throws the ball well but doesn’t always make the right decision. Praising Montez in the first media availability of camp may have been Tucker’s plan all summer to build some hype.

Playing politics would be a bold plan though, as the bar for Montez’s play will be pushed higher by praise from the coach.

Without independent eyes on the field, the best bet is still to take Tucker’s word for it.

Tucker sees Shenault

Shenault sat out spring practices while he recovered from toe surgery, so Thursday was Tucker’s first chance to lay eyes on his primary weapon.

“I was impressed, to say the least,” Tucker said with a laugh.

Tucker also said Shenault looks like he’s back to full speed.

Newcomers need to pick up the pace

Tucker’s lone major criticism of his team’s effort came at the end of his opening statement.

“Guy who just got here this summer, who really hadn’t had a full practice with us — freshman or transfers — the tempo at which we practice, and how we work, and our sense of urgency, and finishing plays, they need to pick it up,” Tucker said.

“It takes what it takes.”

This line, “it takes what it takes,” has been a common refrain from Tucker, thus far in his Buffs career. He’s used it in a number of situations, including when he talked about the Buffs’ new GPS monitors at Pac-12 Media Day. Watch out for more of this line as camp rolls on.

Hambright is a name to watch

The Buffs’ offensive line is one of the major question marks heading into 2019. Transfer tackle Arlington Hambright could be a major reason it takes a step forward.

“I’m really excited about him being here,” Tucker said. “He’s a really talented young man. He’s long. He’s athletic. He’s coachable.”

Hambright is a senior who started five games for Oklahoma State last season. His talent is clear, but Tucker says it will take time for Hambright to pick up on everything he will be asked to do in a new program.

“There’s going to be a learning curve.”