CU At The Game Podcast

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So, what's it like to be the starting quarterback for the University of Colorado?

I am joined for this episode by sophomore quarterback Brendon Lewis. Lewis came to CU from Melissa, Texas, where he accounted for over 12,000 yards of total offense in high school. Enrolling early in January, 2020, Lewis was hit by the loss of his head coach one month into his collegiate career, with the sporting world shut down a month later. After a COVID season in which Lewis played in the Alamo Bowl, he was the starting quarterback for the 2021 season, throwing for over 1,500 yards, with ten touchdowns and only three interceptions.

What was it about CU and Boulder which made it easier for Brendon to commit to Colorado in May of his junior year in high school? How does Brendon feel about competing this spring in a full quarterback room? What were his favorite two plays from the 2021 season? And ... Why should Brendon be lobbying for his hometown high school team to name its new stadium in his honor? ... 

Let’s find out ...

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I am joined for this episode by senior defensive lineman Terrance Lang. Terrance is a sixth-year senior, which used to be an anomaly, but is not as unusual as it once was what with the COVID year of 2020 not counting against eligibility. Still, as a recruit from the CU Class of 2017 - coming in as the Buffs and Pac-12 Coach of the Year Mike MacIntyre were coming off of a 10-win season - Terrance has been through a great deal, including being coached by three different  staffs in as many seasons between 2018 and 2020. 

A recognized leader, both by his peers and his coaches, Terrance lets us in on how the Buffs are doing coming off of a 4-8 year and a series of defections through the Transfer Portal. If you are like me, you won’t be able to help but cheer for No. 54 as he takes the field this fall. 

So ... Which two young defensive lineman does Terrance see as stepping up and having an impact this fall? What are his personal goals for the 2022 season? As a leader in the locker room, what is Terrance seeing from the current Buff team during conditioning drills this spring which gives him optimism for the 2022 season? 

Let’s find out ...

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I am joined for this episode by CU hurdler Reese Renz. Reese is a sophomore on the CU track and field team, currently competing in the indoor track season, soon to become the outdoor track season. Reese came to CU from Bakersfield, California, and her recruiting story is one you won’t want to miss hearing about. We also talk about how she came to run track and field, what it was like moving to Boulder, and how she is doing in her second season running for the black-and-gold. 

This podcast is a slight departure from our normal areas of emphasis, but, over the course of the 20 interviews of the CU at the Game NIL Campaign, we’ll be taking a few roads less traveled, and I hope you will happily come along for the ride. 

So ... What is it like to be recruited for an Olympic sport, especially in a COVID year in which there were little or no athletic events in California? ... What is a day-in-the-life like for a CU track student athlete? ... And what connection do Reese and I share - one that goes back over four decades? ... 

Let’s find out ...

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I am joined for this episode by CU offensive lineman Tommy Brown, a graduate transfer from Alabama. A four-star recruit from California high school power Mater Dei, Brown had offers from over half of the schools in the Pac-12, as well as a half-dozen SEC schools. After participating in three national championship games in the past four seasons - including a national title in 2020 - Brown graduated in 2021, and transferred to CU with two years of eligibility remaining. 

Brown talks with us about what it was like being a four-star recruit, his decision to commit to Alabama, what it was like to play for a program that went 50-5 over the past four seasons. 

What is it like transferring from a program favored in almost every game ... to a program which will be an underdog in almost every game? What went into Tommy’s decision to choose CU in the transfer portal over other suitors? And what does the Alabama weight room have that the CU weight room doesn’t have? 

Let's find out ... 

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In this episode of the CU at the Game NIL Campaign interviews, I get the chance to talk with CU freshman guard KJ Simpson. 

A four-star recruit from one of Tad Boyle's highest-rated Recruiting Classes, Simpson - who is already leading the team in assists per game, despite playing only 20 minutes a contest - is seeing even more time on the court. 

We discuss what it is like to be a four-star recruit, and what it is like transitioning to playing at the Power Five level. KJ gives an engaging interview, and talking about his first year at CU, playing with the "Mayor of Boulder", Evan Battey, and his experiences with his new teammates.

Why do I believe that, after listening to this interview, that KJ Simpson will become one of your favorite Buffs? Let's find out ... 

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Thanks to donations to the CU at the Game NIL Campaign, I will be doing a series of interviews with CU student-athletes. 

Up first, sophomore wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig. Lemonious-Craig had ten catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns during his freshman campaign, including a crucial touchdown catch late in the double-overtime win over Oregon State. With a number of losses to the wide receiver room due to transfers, more will be expected of Lemonious-Craig this fall. We discuss his recruitment, his introduction to his new position coach and new offensive coordinator, and his thoughts for the upcoming 2022 season.

Will this be a breakout season for Montana Lemonious-Craig? Will the Buff offense be balanced enough to make that happen? Let's find out ... 

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CU head coach Karl Dorrell has his coaching staff in place, with six new assistant coaches. Are there enough dynamic recruiters in place to make Colorado competitive in the market for recruits, or is it the Dorrell philosophy to bring in players which his experienced staff can develop into a team which can compete in the Pac-12? 

The Buff roster is also largely in place. There will be more additions - and more attrition - but the vast majority of the lineup for 2022 is set. Where are the deficiencies, and where will CU be looking this spring to add transfers to supplement the roster going forward? 

Finally, why has CU been behind the competition in the Transfer Portal and the advent of NIL opportunities? Should Buff fans be concerned that CU is seemingly late to the party, or should we be grateful that CU is now apparently at least now ready to be a part of the conversation? 

Let’s find out ... 

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CU has upgraded its coaching staff for the 2022 season. Stuart, Brad, and Neil discuss the three latest additions: Defensive line coach Vic So'oto, cornerbacks coach Rod Chance, and tight ends coach/passing game coordinator Clay Patterson, and what the trio will bring to the coaches' room in 2022. 

We spend most of the podcast, however, discussing the current state of the CU roster, particularly with regard to the exodus of players from the Champions Center - including several starters - and the overall impact on the 2022 Buff lineup. Some attrition was expected - and actually necessary - but the loss of some of CU's better players has the Buff Nation questioning what the roster will ultimately look like for the 2022 season. We then take a deep dive into how other schools are approaching Name, Image and Likeness opportunities ... wondering when (or even if) CU and its fan base will follow suit.

Will CU be able to field a competitive team this fall? Will CU come up with a plan to keep its best players from defecting? Will the Buff Nation open its collective wallet to make Boulder a destination for better players? 

Let's find out ... 

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CU has seen the departure of one of its top assistants (and recruiters) in Demetrice Martin, along with two of its top defensive backs. At the same time, CU has picked up new assistant coaches for the 2022 campaign. Stuart, Brad, and Neil discuss the comings and goings, and how these changes will affect the program going forward. 

Then, to finish the second season of the CU at the Game podcast on a high note, we will take a look back at our favorite plays, our favorite plays, and our favorite games of the 2021 campaign. 

There is no such thing as an off-season in college football, and the roster (and coaching staff) are in a constant state of flux. Are these changes a net positive for the program ... or a net negative? Let's find out ... 

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On December 15, 2021, a total of 19 recruits signed their Letters of Intent to attend the University of Colorado. The Class was ranked higher nationally than many of CU's most recent Classes, but also lacked some of the star power which the Buff Nation was hoping to see. 

Stuart, Brad and Neil take a look at the CU Class of 2022, first from a national and Pac-12 point of view. We then go through the new Class, position group by position group, to see where the Buffs have improved the roster ... and where improvement is still required. 

In the age of the Transfer Portal, no roster is settled until teams report for Fall Camp in August, but over 20% of CU's 85-man 2022 roster is now in the fold. Will this group lead the Buffs to sustained success ... or continued mediocrity?

Let's find out ... 

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