LAS VEGAS — Shilo Sanders couldn’t help but crack a smile when he was asked about the personnel upgrades to Colorado football’s defense.
The Buffaloes’ leading tackler last season (70) was the only defensive back in the country with four or more forced fumbles, but an improved supporting cast should allow him to make even more impact plays this fall.
“Last year, I would have to play the mesh a lot,” Sanders told the Coloradoan at Big 12 media days. “The mesh is taking some read steps while you watch the run to see if it’s run or pass. I’d have to do a lot of that and I feel like I missed a lot of opportunities in the deep part of the field.
“If I don’t have to do that, which I don’t anymore, then more picks (interceptions). If I could get some forced fumbles and picks, that’d be crazy.”
Colorado has added 40-plus transfers to its roster for the 2024 college football season and many of them are on the defensive side of the ball. A unit that allowed 34.8 points per game (second worst in Pac-12) last season will look much different this fall, even if familiar faces like Sanders are back in the mix.
Football is the ultimate team sport. Each of the 11 players on the field at a time play a role in the result of a given play.
It’s why Sanders feels he’ll be in position to create more turnovers in 2024, similar to how a quarterback feels more confident in his abilities with a stout offensive line and explosive receivers.
An improved defensive line — featuring Houston transfer Chidozie Nwankwo, Ohio transfer Rayyan Buell and others — will help a talented collection of edge rushers. That pass-rush group is led by Arizona State transfer B.J. Green, Pitt transfer Dayon Hayes and others and should create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Additions on the second level of the defense in the form of transfer linebackers…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/shilo-sanders-play-free-now-001514374.html
Author : The Coloradoan
Publish date : 2024-07-16 00:15:14
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