BOULDER — A lot has changed since Alex Fontenot last stepped foot on a practice field.
In mid-October, Fontenot was defending his role as Colorado’s starting running back when an injury knocked him out of practice. The injury was originally thought to be fairly minor but the Pac-12’s second-leading returning rusher wound up missing the entire season.
With Fontenot sidelined, sophomore Jarek Broussard broke out. He ran for 895 yards in 6 games, the third-most per game of any back in the entire country. He led the Pac-12 in rushing yards and scrimmage yards, which helped him win the conference offensive player of the year award. He also won Mayo Clinic National Comeback Player of the Year.
“That was really fun for me because seeing his struggle and him finally being able to show what he can do, I’m proud of him for what he did,” Fontenot said.
What may catch Fontenot’s eye even more is Broussard’s 156 rushing attempts, the most in the Pac-12, which left less than 30% of the touches for the rest of the backfield.
Jaren Mangham, last year’s No. 2 back, is transferring out of CU but there’s still plenty of competition for playing time. Talented freshman Ashaad Clayton only touched the ball seven times in 2020 but, like Broussard, Clayton has managed to impress Fontenot.
“He’s gonna do great, too,” Fontenot said. “He’s a good back. He’s starting to get the hang of the scheme but, yeah, I have trust in him.”
Broussard, Fontenot and Clayton—plus other backs like Joe Davis and Deion Smith—figure to comprise one of the very best running back rotations in the Pac-12 and, potentially, the country. But how exactly each running back is used is still very much in the air.
That’s why Fontenot has been fired up.
“I’ve been 100% for months,” Fontenot said. “I’ve just been waiting for spring ball to come.”
Colorado kicked off its spring camp with its opening practice on Monday. For the next month, the Buffs will practice Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, with scrimmages on Fridays starting next week. These 15 practices, plus about 25 more in the fall, are what coaches will use to decide who gets to play and who doesn’t.
For the running backs, the bulk of those decisions will fall on coach running backs coach Darian Hagan.
Like Fontenot and Broussard, who has torn his ACL twice, Hagan had his share of injuries during his playing career with the Buffs. Less than a year after tearing his ACL, Hagan was back on the field, not just playing quarterback but also returning punts.
“I’ve heard him brag about a lot of stuff but that wasn’t one of them yet,” Fontenot said, laughing. “He’ll probably bring it up soon.”
It’s bold to take jabs at your position coach, but Hagan isn’t one to take jokes the wrong way. If he did, he wouldn’t be the man you’d want in charge of what figures to be a heated competition for the next five months. Toes will be stepped on, feelings will be hurt and, eventually, a good running back will be relegated to the bench.
Making jokes is an easy way to diffuse tensions, as teammates try to poach each others opportunities by outshining each other and then return to the same meeting rooms together, day after day.
But even though Hagan hasn’t told the story of his return from a season-ending injury, Fontenot says that he has had some advice for his room.
“His main point was that it’s anybody’s position, so take that and run with it,” Fontenot said.
Fontenot took that advice to heart.
“There’s a lot of talent, really,” Fontenot said. “But the way I look at it, I know my ability so I’m going to show out regardless, so I’m going to find a way on the field.”
And don’t be surprised if Fontenot finds his way onto the field often. Head coach Karl Dorrell only got to watch Fontenot in two or three practices before he was hurt last fall, but Dorrell has had a chance to go back and watch Fontenot’s 2019 tape.
“I felt he ran hard, was very consistent,” Dorrell said. “Thank goodness he’s back.”
