As the primary apply of spring wrapped up on Wednesday night, Colorado head soccer coach Karl Dorrell made certain to search out Brendon Lewis.
“That was a wonderful apply,” Dorrell informed his sophomore quarterback.
It was simply the primary day and the Buffaloes weren’t in pads, however Dorrell was happy with how his crew kicked off the spring. He was significantly happy with how Lewis bought issues began.
“I noticed a very completely different participant (from 2021),” Dorrell stated. “His administration expertise; all that have that he gained over the course of the season final yr has actually paid off for his composure, his confidence, his mannerism, how he exudes himself within the huddle, how he breaks the huddle, how he’s commanding every little thing by way of the data he’s giving out. He’s positively a a lot completely different participant.”
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore, Lewis began all 12 video games for the Buffs (4-8, 3-9 Pac-12) final season, nevertheless it wasn’t a easy marketing campaign. He accomplished 58% of his passes for 1,540 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Taking part in behind a struggling offensive line, he was sacked 31 instances and compelled to scramble so much.
CU’s offense sputtered all yr and it was Lewis, because the beginning quarterback, who took lots of the warmth. Because the Nov. 26 finale at Utah, Lewis has taken time to not solely heal his physique, however to be taught from what was a tough season.
“As I reviewed the season, I type of took every little thing I discovered after the season and simply tried to work on it by myself and with my buddies,” he stated. “I nonetheless watch these video games to at the present time, simply to take a look at what I did improper, what I might do higher and implement it again on the sector, the way in which (offensive coordinator Mike) Sanford needs to do it.”
Though he’s the incumbent starter, Lewis is nicely conscious of the competitors for his job. Junior JT Shrout is sort of absolutely recovered from a knee damage that worn out his 2021 season. Shrout is just not cleared for contact however is taking part this spring. Sophomore Drew Carter returns after a studying season and the Buffs added Maddox Kopp, a redshirt freshman switch from Houston.
“Extra competitors makes all people higher,” Lewis stated.
All of the quarterbacks are on equal floor with Sanford, who was employed in December and is now in his first spring with the Buffs.
“It’s superior that he’s the quarterback coach and the offensive coordinator so we are able to actually choose his mind on what he needs to do,” Lewis stated. “We are able to do issues precisely how he needs the offense to do it, as a result of he’s the OC. It’s been actually enjoyable having the ability to have him as a quarterback coach and having the ability to get near him.”
Lewis hopes his offseason enchancment makes a very good impression on Sanford as he tries to maintain the beginning job.
“I completely felt like a unique quarterback (Wednesday),” Lewis stated. “The best way coach Sanford and the entire employees carried out the offense earlier than spring ball, I really feel like all of us went on the market and knew what to do. It wasn’t excellent however we did the issues that we have been imagined to do and I knew the place to go together with the ball and in sure coverages. I positively felt like a means completely different participant than final yr on the (begin) of spring ball.”
Dorrell beamed when speaking about Lewis, however he was happy with the whole crew after the primary day.
“We had some actually good work,” Dorrell stated. “I felt like we made lots of progress over the course of this offseason. The operation (on offense) regarded good. It wasn’t excellent, however for the primary time doing it and taking part in towards our protection, it was actually, actually optimistic. And I felt defensively now we have some new items on the market they usually’re performing some actually, actually good issues. I noticed actual good aggressive work.”
Following a disappointing season, CU had a busy offseason. A number of high gamers transferred out of this system and Dorrell employed six new assistant coaches. Placing collectively a powerful first day of spring, he stated, is indicative of fine management and willpower among the many present roster.
“They got here collectively as a crew given the transition and what occurred within the offseason previous to them coming again in January,” Dorrell stated. “I felt that this crew actually determined to dig in and actually simply spend money on one another and it reveals within the progress that they made in apply as we speak by simply how aggressive they’re towards one another.
“They’re encouraging one another, as nicely; that’s on each side of the ball. And so they’re having enjoyable. That’s the opposite half. They’re having enjoyable on the market. You see that. You don’t see frustration, you don’t see, ‘I’m upset with a coach’ or ‘I’m upset with one other teammate’ or something like that. I simply see a crew that’s a little bit extra cohesive, that’s extra constructed like a crew.”
