CU's young linebackers streak up Cabral's charts

Rocky Mountain News - Colorado

CU's young linebackers streak up Cabral's charts
By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News
August 24, 2004

BOULDER - When preseason football camp opened two weeks ago at the University of Colorado, Brian Cabral was searching for competition and depth at inside linebacker. He found both - and, as of Monday, a pair of new starters as well.

While the veteran CU linebackers coach promises daily evaluations at his position until game-week preparation begins for Colorado State (Sept. 4, Folsom Field), the Buffaloes' latest depth chart lists sophomore Jason Ackermann and true freshman Jordon Dizon as the inside starters.

Ackermann, from Fairview High School, moved ahead of sophomore Thaddaeus Washington at the "mike" position, and Dizon supplanted junior Akarika Dawn at the "will" spot. Both new starters stand 6-feet-1 and weigh 220 pounds and, according to Cabral, have parlayed instinctive play and athleticism into their ascents.

If Dizon, a lightly recruited running back from the Hawaiian island of Kauai, holds his position, he will become CU's first true freshman linebacker to start a season opener.

"He's young and made a lot of mistakes (in CU's scrimmage Saturday)," Cabral said. "But his effort and athleticism don't change. He can make a mistake and still make the play."

Listed as Dawn's backup when camp opened, Ackermann, who sat out most of Monday's practice with back spasms, "has been consistent and working hard," Cabral said. "He finds a way to get to the ball. I don't know how he does it. He's come out and had a great camp."

With his position critical to the success of CU's new 4-3 scheme, Cabral said he needs five capable inside players. Washington was impressive in spring drills as Cabral launched a search to replace 2003 starter Sean Tufts. Dawn was a five-time starter last fall.

"I'm going to need all four guys - five, realistically - to get through the season," Cabral said. "All of them will have to help us."

Junior Chris Hollis, a two-game starter in 2003 still recovering from foot surgery in July, hasn't practiced. Sophomore Walter Boye-Doe, another part-time starter last fall, missed spring drills while pondering a transfer and recently has been set back by a minor Achilles' injury.

Cabral expects both players to contend when able, adding to a competitive mix "that we haven't had for a while . . . We aren't thin (at inside linebacker), we're just young and inexperienced."

The immediate high-energy play of Dizon has been CU's consensus camp shocker. "I don't know that you can't have him on the field," Cabral said. "He gives me something I don't have right now."

The soft-spoken Dizon credited help he has received from more experienced teammates for his quick rise: "The older players know what it takes . . . They've been there, done that. I'm still just trying to fit in, trying to learn the ropes."

In another depth-chart change, sophomore Tyler Littlehales moved into a backup receiver position behind senior Ron Monteilh and assumed the No. 2 punter's role behind junior John Torp.

Littlehales said he most recently punted three years ago at Boulder High and now is nursing a sore leg. But he welcomed his new opportunity, as well as his rise at receiver.

He said he has benefited from a good preseason, mainly because, "I'm more focused now and know what it takes to get on the field."

'V' IT UP: CU plans to utilize its fullbacks in a variety of ways, so junior Lawrence Vickers and sophomore Daniel Jolly wanted a depth-chart term to reflect their versatility. Thus, they're officially listed as "V-Backs."

Said offensive coordinator Shawn Watson: "We're using them as fullbacks, tailbacks, receivers . . . They're not just fullbacks. They wanted to have some fun with it, so we let them create their own (position) name."

Vickers said the new name, coined in camp, "brings a different aspect to the game."

ETC.: CU expects to receive word today from the NCAA on Jeremy Bloom's appeal for reinstatement. Bloom and the school will have 10 minutes each to restate their cases before a decision is rendered by the five-member appeals committee. Bloom needs three affirmative votes . . . Redshirt freshman Stephone Robinson is listed in Bloom's place as a kick returner . . . CU sold out its 12,000 season-ticket allotment to the student body on Monday.

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5466