BOULDER – As a three-star prospect coming out of high school Tony Julmisse was extremely coveted. In just two games so far this season the six-foot-one, 185-pound true freshman from Florida has already had an impact.
He has show such physicality and athleticism on each side of the ball that he lined up on both offense and defense in fall camp. Despite his eye-popping ability in August, it’s his playmaking in September that has everyone noticing Julmisse.
He became the first University of Colorado defender since Greg Henderson in 2013 to record a takeaway in each of the first two games of the season, recovering a fumble against Colorado State and picking off a pass against Idaho State. Through two games his influence has only been limited to defense and special teams but that hasn’t restricted his effect.
Listed directly behind senior Chidobe Awuzie on the defensive depth chart, Julmisse is learning everything that he can from the future NFL cornerback.
“I’ve been trying to implement what Chidobe tells me and I try to watch him a lot when he’s in the game,” Julmisse said. “I try to see what he does, things that I wouldn’t do that he does and try to work just like he would. It’s been great.”
Julmisse’s hard work has had a hefty payoff so far, with turnovers in each of the first two games of the season. The first was a fumble recovery in Colorado’s blowout victory over Colorado State in Week One. The second was Julmisse’s first college interception, which came during his inaugural game at Folsom Field.
“It’s definitely fun,” Julmisse described his first game in Boulder. “Just being able to play on the field as a true freshman. Any true freshman would love to have that opportunity so I’m just doing my best in the moment, trying to help the team as best as I can.”
While his biggest contributions this season have come from the defensive side, Julmisse stays prepared to make plays as an offensive weapon, still listed on the depth chart as a wide receiver.
“Every now and then I’m still looking at the offense’s playbook just to be ready if Coach [MacIntyre] ever needs me on that side of the ball,” he said.
As a new playmaker in the Colorado locker room this season, Julmisse can feel the impact of the Buffs’ back-to-back wins.
“It’s definitely a big confidence booster,” he said. “We’re stepping into a pretty big game 2-0. We’re all excited to play this game and we just have to keep the momentum going.”
Colorado heads into this weekend with a tough matchup at Michigan looming, and will look to continue their winning streak as they visit the number four-ranked Wolverines. Julmisse looked determined as he asserted, “Michigan definitely has our attention at this point. We’re getting right back to work.”
