Jayle Stacks is carving out a role as a backfield chess piece

BOULDER — Jayle Stacks wears many hats.

He’s a runner. He’s a blocker. He’s a pass catcher.

“I just switch gears,” he told DNVR on Wednesday. “You’ve gotta be a different person in each position.”

Over his first two seasons in Boulder, Stacks has seen the field for a few dozen offensive snaps. About two-thirds of those snaps have been at fullback, with the others coming as a tailback.

At 5-foot-11 and 230 pounds, the easiest path to the field for Stacks is probably at fullback. But, thanks to injuries and transfers, Colorado only has four running backs available during spring camp. That means Stacks has more chances to prove what he can do with the ball in his hands.

“Just make the most of everything,” Stacks said. “Every rep you have to show what you have. Every day. 110%. You can’t have a day where you’re 90%.”

So far, the results this spring have been positive for Stacks.

On Wednesday, the Buffs focused in on short-yardage work. They ran live 3rd & 2 drills and red zone work, and they built in a point system that rewarded the defense for stops and the offense for scores. The defense jumped out to an 11-0 lead but the offense finished the practice with an 18-point run to take the win.

Dorrell named Stacks as the catalyst in the drill.

“The star player on the offense, I would say, was Jayle today,” Dorrell said. “He did some really, really positive things. Deion (Smith) had a touchdown in the last series but I will say Jayle’s been a guy that has been a little bit more consistent. Whenever he’s out there he’s made plays happen.”

Spring ball is a time for young players to prove their worth and, potentially, shakeup the depth chart. That’s exactly what Stacks has done.

“It’s been very surprising to all of us, but we’re excited in the same sentence,” Dorrell said.

Some of the highest praise has come from the defensive side of the ball.

“He’s a big back, man. We’ve had some battles,” junior linebacker Marvin Ham told DNVR on Friday. “I ain’t gonna lie; I’ve hit Jayle a couple of times, Jayle has hit me a couple of times. We’ve both given each other a couple of stingers. It’s a battle every single day with Jayle. You know when he’s coming. It’s a battle.”

Running backs coach Darian Hagan met with reporters last week and told reporters that Stacks is going to be on the field this fall.

“He has a role,” Hagan said. “The thing about Jayle is he was stuck behind a bunch of guys. Those guys leaving opened up a door for him.”

Stacks is a unique player on the roster. He’s the only fullback, though tight end Brady Russell will motion into the backfield every once in awhile to fulfill similar duties. Unlike other positions, fullbacks don’t have a dedicated full-time coach. Stacks goes to the same meetings as the other running backs but Hagan will single Stacks out to explain his responsibilities on plays that include a fullback.

“It is a little hard; you’ve gotta learn,” Stacks said. “But the receivers and quarterbacks have to learn so much. If they could do that, I could learn to do my own position.”

That position could become much more fun under new offensive coordinator Clay Patterson. While we don’t know exactly what Colorado’s new offense will look like, we’ve heard that one emphasis will be getting the ball to tight ends and running backs in the passing game more than has been done in the past.

Some passes to Stacks could be exactly what he needs to take the next step.

“That’s what makes me who I am,” Stacks said of his receiving ability. “I have a bigger body, I could break tackles, but I think to have good hands really contributes to the offense.”

Those hands certainly contributed on Wednesday when Stacks line up at fullback, caught a pass and carried it into the end zone for a touchdown. Those sorts of plays are happening much more than in previous seasons, according to Stacks.

“You don’t want to just throw to the receivers all day, they’re gonna lock that up,” Stack said. “It’s good to have that other dynamic in there. I like the offense.”

It’s tough to say what exactly Stacks’ role will look like in 2022. He could be playing fullback. He could be playing tailback. He even has the hands and pass-blocking chops to line up next to the quarterback in shotgun on third downs.

But one thing seems certain: we’ll be seeing more of Jayle Stacks this time around.