Colorado State University Athletics
Monday Presser. New Rams Getting Extended Look
12/7/2020 2:05:00 PM | Football
Nine true freshmen have seen the field this season
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Pick a perspective, and really neither view Steve Addazio takes is a bad view for the development of his program
Colorado State's football team has had 10 members of Addazio's inaugural recruiting class see the field this season, nine of them being true freshmen. Brandon Hickerson-Rooks, Henry Blackburn and Robert Liss are starters, and the special team units have been a proving ground for much of the group.
With the day-to-day constantly changing, the group has had their development jump started from the time the Mountain West decided to move forward with the 2020 season.
"That experience will really pay off, and I think the experience as a whole will drive home a lot of key points that are really important," Addazio said during his virtual Monday press conference. "Freshman, and a lot of these younger players, I think are under fire learning the importance level of the intensity of every snap and how important detail is. I think it's been a great learning experience, and I think it's going to pay dividends. Along the way it's painful at times, but I wouldn't trade anything, because I just think it's going to give us a chance to really forge our program moving forward."
Liss has been the Rams' placekicker all year, Hickerson-Rooks started the first two games and Blackburn the past two. Blackburn has proven to be a quick study, has he's coming off the best game of his young career with a 10-tackle performance against San Diego State. Hickerson-Rooks has been shown he can create havoc as a pass rusher, and Liss has been solid in his duties.
Then there is a large portion of their class who have taken up roles on special teams from week to week as players shuffle in in out due to the normal injuries and the 2020-created COVID issues, be they direct or through contact tracing.
As Addazio noted, they've all had to be ready at a moment's notice, and that includes Saturday's regular-season finale at home with Utah State. The extra work has basically become an invaluable internship at the front end of their careers.
"Certainly these freshmen have gotten a lot of repetitions, that much I do know. And a lot has been put on their plate, especially on special teams," Addazio said. "That's the part where I think this year of COVID, a lot's come into play. It's been very demanding and emotionally, a roller coaster ride. What happens with all players, especially young players, is certain areas in terms of focus and concentration give. A lot of time a young player, it gives there pretty quickly. With our roster rotation so much, a lot of those guys are in key positions on those teams, and that can lead to some breakdowns."
Goodbye or Not?
The roster has 18 players who are seniors or graduate students, which normally would trigger a celebration the final home game. But with the pandemic, that hard line no longer exists; all of them have a chance to return to the field next year.
For some of them, it could mean another season in green and gold. Or even with another program. Those are conversations which Addazio said are forthcoming.
"Those conversations will take place, both on my end, administratively, player wise. That stuff will all happen at the end of the season," he said. "I feel like right now, we've got to keep our focus on what's at hand. Certainly, immediately thereafter, all of those conversations will happen."
In addition, senior day has always included the fans and parents, and neither of those groups will be at attendance at Canvas Stadium on Saturday. What may happen with seniors leaving may have to take place behind the scenes at another time.
Any More?
As chaotic as the season has been, Addazio would love to see more of it. And why not? As of Monday, he was excited to say his team looked to be at its most healthy point so far. He's in favor of playing another game. Actually, he'd like to play four.
"If you can broker that deal, let me know," he said.
Is it a possibility? Sure, there's no rule in the Mountain West against it. Will it happen? Not as likely.
Colorado State lost three games this year, two scheduled for home. The Rams would be interested in having a team come to town, but in financially challenging times, are schools willing to add to the tab for one more game? And hosting a game doesn't happen for free, either.
Colorado State's football team has had 10 members of Addazio's inaugural recruiting class see the field this season, nine of them being true freshmen. Brandon Hickerson-Rooks, Henry Blackburn and Robert Liss are starters, and the special team units have been a proving ground for much of the group.
With the day-to-day constantly changing, the group has had their development jump started from the time the Mountain West decided to move forward with the 2020 season.
"That experience will really pay off, and I think the experience as a whole will drive home a lot of key points that are really important," Addazio said during his virtual Monday press conference. "Freshman, and a lot of these younger players, I think are under fire learning the importance level of the intensity of every snap and how important detail is. I think it's been a great learning experience, and I think it's going to pay dividends. Along the way it's painful at times, but I wouldn't trade anything, because I just think it's going to give us a chance to really forge our program moving forward."
Liss has been the Rams' placekicker all year, Hickerson-Rooks started the first two games and Blackburn the past two. Blackburn has proven to be a quick study, has he's coming off the best game of his young career with a 10-tackle performance against San Diego State. Hickerson-Rooks has been shown he can create havoc as a pass rusher, and Liss has been solid in his duties.
Then there is a large portion of their class who have taken up roles on special teams from week to week as players shuffle in in out due to the normal injuries and the 2020-created COVID issues, be they direct or through contact tracing.
As Addazio noted, they've all had to be ready at a moment's notice, and that includes Saturday's regular-season finale at home with Utah State. The extra work has basically become an invaluable internship at the front end of their careers.
"Certainly these freshmen have gotten a lot of repetitions, that much I do know. And a lot has been put on their plate, especially on special teams," Addazio said. "That's the part where I think this year of COVID, a lot's come into play. It's been very demanding and emotionally, a roller coaster ride. What happens with all players, especially young players, is certain areas in terms of focus and concentration give. A lot of time a young player, it gives there pretty quickly. With our roster rotation so much, a lot of those guys are in key positions on those teams, and that can lead to some breakdowns."
Goodbye or Not?
The roster has 18 players who are seniors or graduate students, which normally would trigger a celebration the final home game. But with the pandemic, that hard line no longer exists; all of them have a chance to return to the field next year.
For some of them, it could mean another season in green and gold. Or even with another program. Those are conversations which Addazio said are forthcoming.
"Those conversations will take place, both on my end, administratively, player wise. That stuff will all happen at the end of the season," he said. "I feel like right now, we've got to keep our focus on what's at hand. Certainly, immediately thereafter, all of those conversations will happen."
In addition, senior day has always included the fans and parents, and neither of those groups will be at attendance at Canvas Stadium on Saturday. What may happen with seniors leaving may have to take place behind the scenes at another time.
Any More?
As chaotic as the season has been, Addazio would love to see more of it. And why not? As of Monday, he was excited to say his team looked to be at its most healthy point so far. He's in favor of playing another game. Actually, he'd like to play four.
"If you can broker that deal, let me know," he said.
Is it a possibility? Sure, there's no rule in the Mountain West against it. Will it happen? Not as likely.
Colorado State lost three games this year, two scheduled for home. The Rams would be interested in having a team come to town, but in financially challenging times, are schools willing to add to the tab for one more game? And hosting a game doesn't happen for free, either.
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