Tup-less Buffs D-Line still has some bite

Colorado’s key defensive tackle Josh Tupou “will not be a member of the team this fall.” As my colleague Ryan Koenigsberg pointed out, Tupou was one of the most important players on the defensive side of the ball. In 2014 Tupou lead the team’s D-Linemen in both snaps taken and total tackles, but he will not be an option for new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt in 2015. With that in mind, let’s visit who will step up for the Buffaloes’ defensive front this season in Tupou absence.

Going into fall camp the obvious first option to step up in Tupou’s absence will be Justin Solis. Solis, a senior nose tackle, and roughly the same size as Tupou, played a lot in 2014 despite not starting once. The senior played in all 12 games last year, taking the field for 355 of Colorado’s 844 defensive snaps, for comparison sake, Tupou took 642 snaps. Solis was very consistent having at least two tackles in each game he played, but he also had big moments, like a big sack on a third down against USC. Justin Solis is no doubt penciled into be the main force rushing the opposition from the middle. His ability to rush the passer may be as effective if not more so than Tupou’s. It will be interesting to see if Solis plays all downs, or just passing situations considering Solis has never really proven to be a quality run stopper.

Sophomore Eddy Lopez is currently listed third on the depth chart at nose tackle. His performance of three tackles, one being a sack, and another a tackle for no gain during the spring game cannot be dismissed. Lopez also had the most snaps at DT in 2014 for anyone who is on the roster this year not named Justin Solis. Lopez played in 11 games his freshman year recording 10 tackles.

Tied for third on the depth chart as the spring practices wrapped up was Clay Norgard. Norgard, a junior, also played in 11 games last season but did not get much playing time. When he played, however, he did impact the game, attaining three third down stops. The DT also had a sack of 9 yards against Hawaii. The former highly ranked fullback prospect has transitioned from that position to linebacker and now to defensive line, perhaps one more year at his position on the line will benefit him.

Jordan Carrell, the JUCO transfer, an ACCFCA All-American, has been said to be the biggest impact transfer in the Pac-12 this season. Last season at American River College he was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, racking up 80 tackles, 19 for a loss, and eight sacks. Carrell affected the passing game quite a bit too, with 24 hurries. His 6’ 3”, 275 pound frame could play, well, anywhere on the line. Jim Leavitt and company will probably ask more of Carrell than initially thought since Josh Tupou will not be available.

Samson Kafovalu will enter the fall at the top of the defensive tackle depth chart, after redshirting the 2014 season. Kafovalu actually started in his last two games, which were against USC and Utah at the end of the 2013 season. Since then, he has gained weight and transitioned from end to tackle. He had a very good spring and is poised to be a factor for the 2015 Buffaloes.

Both of the next two guys were great on the ends of the line in 2014, but are undoubtedly ready to be even better in 2015. Junior Jimmy Gilbert and Sophomore Derek McCartney both played over 450 snaps last year, and both made over 30 tackles. Gilbert and McCartney had a propensity to get in on the play behind or at the line of scrimmage in 2014. Each now has had one more key year of development and look to have huge years. While neither plays the same position as Tupou both Gilbert and McCartney are keen to have their presences felt on the defensive line.

Personally I was very impressed with Justin Solis last year and I expect him to be a nice starter in the absence of a key player in Josh Tupou. Losing a player like Tupou obviously hurts but as a whole the defensive line could be better with the improvements of Jimmy Gilbert and Derek McCartney coupled with the additions of Jordan Carrell and Samson Kafovalu. Juda Parker’s graduation did not come at the best time but still the Buffaloes might have more depth and skill on the defensive line this season than in 2014. As the program has found out in the past, the defensive line is key to the Buffaloes success.