BOULDER — During fall camp in 2019, then-sophomore running back Alex Fontenot told DNVR that his goal was to become a 1,000-yard rusher.
The goal was lofty, considering Fontenot had only touched the ball 11 times in his collegiate career up to that point. But Colorado’s top two runners by volume and production had both graduated, so the goal wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Fontenot finished the season with 874 rushing yards, but if he hadn’t missed Colorado’s game against UCLA — a defense that allowed 145 rushing yards per game last season — the sophomore may have hit his mark.
Now, Fontenot is back at Colorado and he’s the second-leading rusher per game among Pac-12 returners. That helped him to earn a spot on the preseason watchlist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation’s top running back.
“It’s nice to know that I’m being noticed,” Fontenot told reporters last week. “It’s not really a real accomplishment until I win it, though.”
That’s another lofty goal.
Last year, Fontenot battled then-true freshman Jaren Mangham for the starting job. Now, Mangham is back — this time with a year of experience under his belt — and highly-touted true freshman Ashaad Clayton has been added to the mix. Don’t forget about dark horses Deion Smith, Joe Davis and Jarek Broussard, either.
“I can see their drive and how hungry they are to get on the field and show the world what they can do,” Fontenot said of the Buffs’ younger backs. “I know how good they are and what they can do but they want to show other people.”
Fontenot, just one season removed from being a freshman who only saw the scraps left behind by two senior running backs, is now the veteran in the room. He seems to understand the responsibility that comes with his new role.
In particular, Fontenot has paid close attention to Mangham’s development over the bruiser’s 12 months at CU.
“(Mangham) has done a lot of growing,” Fontenot said. “He had to realize things are not always going to go his way but he is slowly learning. He still has some things to learn but I know his mind is in a good place. I know he is going to do all he can to try to be the next man up.”
Fontenot is pulling for Mangham, and the rest of the Buffs’ backs, to continue to develop into high-end runners.
“The main goal is to try and build them up,” Fontenot said. “I think getting them ready and them being able to step up to the plate is something that I’m really hoping for.”
As the Buffs’ talented, young backfield continues to develop, there may come a time when there aren’t enough touches to go around. As of now, Fontenot does not sound concerned about sharing the load.
“It’s hard to do it all (alone),” Fontenot said.
Hopefully the Buffs’ backs hold onto that mentality.
