Predicting the Colorado State starters: Offense

Colorado State football didn’t have a case of the “Mondays” this week.

No, as part of a major ramping up in coverage via the internet, CSU athletics saved a major announcement for the middle of Monday’s practice, as head coach Mike Bobo announced redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens as the team’s starting quarterback. Stevens was more accurate in both spring ball and the fall camp than redshirt freshman Coleman Key and seemed to grasp Bobo’s offense a bit quicker.

So, now that the most important player – quarterback – has been named, what about the rest of the offense? (Read who we predict to be defensive starters here.)

Let’s take a look as we predict the Rams starting offense this year:

QB – Stevens: Being a first-year starting quarterback is difficult but Stevens seems up to the task. He’s confident and Bobo’s been impressed with him thus far.

RB – Jasen Oden Jr.: This is a tough call. It could go either the senior Oden or fellow senior Treyous Jarrells as the lead back. We all saw more out of Jarrells last year with 437 yards and six scores while Oden had 276 yards and two touchdowns. But Oden seems better suited to do it all – block, run and catch – than Jerrells, even if it’s only ever so slightly with some of that due to Oden’s bigger 5-foot-11 and 218-pound frame. What really seals the deal is Bobo said after practice Tuesday Jarrells had his knee scoped and will miss a few weeks.

WR1 – Rashard Higgins: Can you say consensus All-American? Dude can do it all as a receiver. He’s got the blazing speed, he’s incredibly agile and will juke you out of your shoes and can go up to catch a ball at its apex, too.

WR2 – Elroy Masters: Masters has really come on during fall camp. He’s big – at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds – but is also fast enough to run past cornerbacks. He knows what it means to go up and attack the football and did so multiple times during camp the last few weeks. Masters only had one catch for 14 yards in the scrimmage, but don’t read too far into that lack of production. This redshirt sophomore can play.

WR3 (slot) – Joe Hansley: Hansley has been all hands during camp. He’s catching everything they’re throwing at him! He’s the same old Hansley fans have grown to love over the last three years and he’ll be a vital part of this offense.

TE – Kivon Cartwright: Cartwright was granted an extra year of eligibility after playing in just one game last season. He’s a stellar pass-catching threat and also understands how to block well in the running game. Cartwright will catch some crucial passes as well as TDs this year.

OT – Nick Callender: Has experience playing the position, filling in for Ty Sambrailo two times last year. Filling Sambrailo’s void full-time will be much more difficult.

OG – Kevin O’Brien: The redshirt senior started nine games at center following Bennett’s injury last season. He can shift to the left and start at guard.

C – Jake Bennett: Bennett will almost certainly be the starter but he’s been injured with a minor shoulder problem as of late.

OG – Fred Zerblis: Started all 13 games for Rams at right guard last year and was named all-Mountain West honorable mention. Also, his beard is massive and awesome.

OT – Sam Carlson: The redshirt senior started all 13 games for CSU at right tackle next to Zerblis. Their chemistry will help the right side of the line play together.

Backups:

QB – Coleman Key: Key’s tall and has a long, sometimes smooth, delivery. He’s got a big arm and really challenged Stevens. A capable backup if anything happens to the starter.

RB2 – Jarrells: Smaller than Oden, fast, agile, quick with a mean streak. Even with the knee scope, he’s the backup at running back for now.

RB3 – Dalyn Dawkins: He’s small and shifty, best when running outside or catching the ball out of the backfield. Fast in spring, but swallowed up by piles of defenders in fall.

WR1 – Jordon Vaden: Wore a red (injured) jersey for some of camp but was still basically a full-go. Speed kills in football.

WR2 – Cole Anderson: No. 87 has impressed anyone who’s seen him play. He has heart and his teammates love him.

WR3 – Deionte Gaines: Not just a return man anymore, he’s improved greatly at catching the ball.

TE – Steven Walker: Solid tight end who will learn behind Cartwright.

These are just educated guesses. We’ll bring you the actual two-deep as soon as it’s released by the team.