Chidozie Nwankwo has played enough college football to know what good defense looks like, especially on offense.
When the senior defensive tackle looks at Colorado’s defensive line, he sees a unit ready to go.
“Honestly, I feel like no one is under the radar,” said the Houston transfer with 32 career starts. “We’re all just a bunch of buddies. We’re all going to make it. In my opinion, it’s going to be a great season for everyone.”
For the Buffs to have a better year on defense, Nwankwo and his colleagues will need to be at their best.
A year ago, CU allowed 34.8 points per game (124th nationally) and 453.3 yards per game (130th). The Buffs ranked 110th in the running game (176.4 yards per game) and 127th in passing yards allowed (276.9).
In the offseason, head coach Deion Sanders hired Robert Livingston as defensive coordinator to help improve those numbers. Livingston, who is working as a coordinator for the first time, has spent the last 12 years with the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL.
CU has also upgraded the defensive line, linebackers and secondary with a number of transfers. So far, the players are responding to Livingston and the defense has had a good offseason.
“Hunger,” cornerback DJ McKinney said of what he sees on defense.
Cornerback Preston Hodge added: “We all run for the ball. We look for the ball, get the ball.”
The key will be the defensive front, which has been bolstered by 11 transfers, including Nwankwo, former Arizona State star BJ Green and former Pittsburgh pass rushers Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlola.
“We all know it starts up front,” Edge coach Vincent Dancy said. “And we just have to understand the weaknesses of the offense and understand that we’re going to look to the defense. They’ve done a great job of that. The new guys have come in and settled into the system, settled into their roles, and they’ve just contributed what we need up front.”
On defense, the Buffs have more experience and depth than they did a year ago, which could give Livingston and his team more options as they plan to tailor the defense to each player’s strengths.
“It’s our job as coaches to get these guys fit, whether they’re a one, a two or a three,” Livingston said. “And then, when everyone’s healthy overall, we put the best 11 on the field. That gives us the best chance to win.”
A look at the defense position by position:
Position: Defensive line
Returnees with starts in 2023: Shane Cokes, 1.90 m, 125 kg, Sr. (9 starts); Amari McNeill, 1.93 m, 125 kg, Jr. (4 starts).
Other returnees: None.
Transfers: Anquin Barnes, 6-5, 315, Jr. (Alabama); Rayyan Buell, 6-3, 277, Sr. (Ohio); Taurean Carter, 6-3, 303, Sr. (Arkansas); Chidozie Nwankwo, 5-11, 290, Sr. (Houston); Tawfiq Thomas, 6-4, 300, Jr. (Louisville).
True Freshmen: Chijoke Nwankwo, 6-2, 260 (walk-on).
Key departures: Taijh Alston (graduation); JJ Hawkins (transfer to Marshall); Leonard Payne (graduation); Bishop Thomas (transfer to Georgia State); Chazz Wallace (transfer to NC State)
Position: Fullback
Returnees with starts in 2023: Arden Walker, 6-2, 250, Jr. (4 starts)
Other returnees: Taje McCoy, 6-3, 230, R-Fr.; Tristan Marois, 6-6, 210, Jr. (walk-on).
Transfers: BJ Green, 6-1, 270, Sr. (Arizona State); Dayon Hayes, 6-3, 265 Sr. (Pittsburgh); Samuel Okunlola, 6-4, 245, So. (Pittsburgh); Keaton Wade, 6-4, 245, Jr. (Kentucky); Nikhil Webb Walker, 6-6, 275, So. (New Mexico State); Quency Wiggins, 6-5, 265, So (LSU).
True freshmen: Brandon Davis-Swain, 6-4, 260.
Important departures: Jordan Domineck (graduated); Deeve Harris (transferred to Marshall); Khairi Manns (transferred to James Madison); Derrick McLendon (graduated)
Position: Centre-back
Returning players with starts in 2023: LaVonta Bentley, 6’2″, 220 lbs, Sr. (8 starts); Jeremiah Brown, 6’2″, 220 lbs, Sr. (1 start); Brendan Gant, 6’2″, 200 lbs, Sr. (1 start); Trevor Woods, 6’2″, 200 lbs, Sr. (9 starts).
Other returnees: Bo Simmons-Lapenna, 6-1, 225, So. (walk-on).
Transfers: Johnny Chaney Jr., 6-1, 235, Sr. (Florida A&M); Nikhai Hill-Green, 6-2, 232, Jr. (Charlotte); Jaylen Wester, 6-0, 205, Jr. (Florida Atlantic).
True freshmen: Kyeran Garcia, 6-2, 220; Gage Goldberg, 6-0, 210 (walk-on); Trenton Hood, 5-11, 230 (walk-on).
Important departures: Marvin Ham II (transferred to Arkansas State); Demouy Kennedy (in the transfer portal); Juwan Mitchell (graduated).
Position: Cornerbacks
Returnees with starts in 2023: Travis Hunter, 1.85 m, 84 kg, Jr. (9 starts).
Other returnees: Isaiah Hardge, 5-10, 160, R-Fr.; Braden Keith, 5-10, 175, So. (walk-on); Nahmier Robinson, 5-9, 170, R-Fr. (walk-on); Nathaniel Watson, 5-10,170, So. (walk-on).
Transfers: Preston Hodge, 6-0, 195, Sr. (Liberty); Colton Hood, 5-11, 188, R-Fr. (Auburn); DJ McKinney, 6-2, 190, So. (Oklahoma State); Ivan Yates, 6-0, 180, Jr. (Furman).
True freshmen: Ebenezer Bouzi, 6-1, 180; Malakai Murphy, 6-1, 190; Angel Lopez, 6-1, 165 (walk-on); Kole Mathis, 5-8, 140 (walk-on).
Important departures: Kyndrich Breedlove (transferred to Purdue); Omarion Cooper (transferred to Florida State); Cormani McClain (transferred to Florida); Jahquez Robinson (transferred to Auburn).
Position: Safeties
Returnees with starts in 2023: Shilo Sanders, 6-0, 195, Sr. (11 starts); Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, 5-10, 185, Sr. (10 starts); Carter Stoutmire, 5-11, 205, So. (1 start)
Other returnees: Travis Jay, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Ben Finneseth, 6-2, 205, Jr. (walk-on).
Transfers: RJ Johnson, 6-2, 180, Fr. (Arkansas); Savion Riley, 6-2, 202, So (Vanderbilt); Herman Smith III, 6-2, 190, Sr. (Jackson State); Ian Massey, 6-1, 205, Sr. (Oregon State; walk-on).
Real newbies: None.
Key departures: Jaden Milliner-Jones (transferred to SMU); Myles Slusher (entered the transfer portal); Rodrick Ward (graduated).
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