Colorado Buffaloes Complete First Week of Practice

"Nutrition was a big part of it," said Hawkins, who reported he can now bench press 275 pounds, up at least 50 pounds from his first year in Boulder.

Of the backups, true freshman Tyler Hansen has been impressive, and may push senior Nick Nelson and redshirt freshman Matt Ballenger for the backup position by mid-season.

Running back: Are you kidding? The opening week was all Darrell Scott, all the time. Fortunately, from all appearances, Scott is not only the real deal, but is handling the pressure and attention well.

Said Dan Hawkins of his prize recruit: "He’s fitting in well, and I have said this before, but he’s a really good kid. He is a humble guy who has his feet on the ground."

Scott was just trying to be one of the guys.

"Practice has been intense," said Scott, "but I am trying my best to get used to the altitude and improve everyday."

Not that the other backs in camp are conceding anything to Scott. Ray Polk, a prized recruit in his own right, was primed for the competition.

"Each of us wants success for the team," said Polk, "but at the same time, we all want that spot."

What about the returning back with the most career carries, Demetrius Sumler?

"I definitely feel like I have a leg up," said Sumler, who had 335 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries in 2007. "But, it is also my job to help them get better. We are all helping each other. We all want to be the best running back corps in the country."

Wide receiver: The loss of Markques Simas to academics was offset by the announcement that Kendrick Celestine should be eligible to play.

Celestine needed to pass two summer school classes to retain his status. The sophomore, with one summer school B on the books, finished his second class on Friday, with every indication that his work was satisfactory.

Celestine joins senior Patrick Williams and sophomores Josh Smith and Scotty McKnight as the most likely candidates to see passes this fall.

"Are they going to go out and take a 12-yard curl and go 80 yards for a touchdown? Probably not," said CU wide receivers coach Eric Kiesau. "But they are just good, solid guys. I know I can count on them. They will be productive and make plays."

Tight end: As noted, the tight end position at CU was enhanced when, just before camp opened, returning starter Riar Geer was reinstated.

This left coaches confident enough in the depth at the position that freshman Will Pericak, the Boulder High standout who watched most of the spring practices in order to get a leg up on that position, will be switched to defensive tackle.

Besides Geer, the tight end position lists juniors Patrick Devenny, Devin Shanahan, and Luke Walters, along with incoming freshmen Ryan Deehan and Ryan Wallace.

Offensive line: Leave it to Dave Plati, CU’s media relations director, to come up with this stat: sophomore tackles Ryan Miller and Nate Solder, projected starters, represent the tallest tackle duo in CU history.

Solder, converted from tight end, stands 6-foot-8; Miller, who worked his way into the starting lineup as a true freshman in 2007, is 6-foot-7. The total height of the two would best, by one inch, the total height of Mark Vander Poel and Ariel Solomon in 1990.

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