FORT COLLINS — In the ever-changing landscape of college football, spring games are likely the next things to disappear.
For that reason, Colorado State changed its annual Green and Gold Spring Game to the Green and Gold Spring Showcase on Saturday at Canvas Stadium, an event which wrapped up five weeks of practice that began in late March.
There were still fans in the stands, but the format was different than spring games of the past. Instead of an actual game, the Rams went through some 7-on-7 drills, a short scrimmage and then specific work on two-minute and red-zone situations as well as special teams work.
Still, there were some impressive plays made as fans got their first look at some of the team’s new acquisitions as well as some potential stars who have been waiting in the wings.
Overall, CSU head coach Jay Norvell was pleased with what he saw Saturday, as well as the progress the team made in spring practice as a whole.
“I think it’s just a credit to our coaches and our players, how they’ve been engaged in getting better every day in practice,” Norvell said. “We’ve been smart. We push them real hard, and we back off and we freshen them up and we’ve been keeping them hungry to hit all spring.
“I was very pleased with the energy that we finished spring with, and I think that bodes well for our staff and our players about how hungry they are and how they want to improve.”
Several of the position groups Norvell has been impressed with this spring made plays Saturday. A receiver group that is not at full strength was highlighted by a pair of touchdown catches from LaVon Brown. Tommy Maher also had a touchdown grab. Jordan McIntyre and Jordan Ross made plays as well.
Those catches came from a combination of first-team quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and backup Jackson Brousseau. Tight end Rocky Beers also continues to impress Norvell.
For Fowler-Nicolosi, who will enter his third season as the team’s starting quarterback in the fall, the play of his receivers and tight ends has been encouraging. Taking the personnel around him into account, Fowler-Nicolosi believes this is the most comfortable he has been in a CSU uniform.
“The highest it’s ever been, for sure,” Fowler-Nicolosi said. “It’s been awesome kind of being able to grow as a player and a human, and understanding my role and how to help these younger guys coming in and growing also, and these newer guys.
“So, establishing chemistry with those guys and being efficient on the field rather than just trying to go out there and be a robot has been huge for me this offseason, and I think it’s paying off a lot, for sure.”
Specifically, Fowler-Nicolosi is excited about his tight ends, Beers and Jaxxon Warren, who is returning from an injury that resulted in him missing all of last season.
“They’re dynamic,” he said. “They’re versatile for sure. They both have slightly different skill sets and are both very useful in certain situations. Even if we can get them both out there at the same time, sometimes that can create matchup issues, so it is pretty cool to have two guys like that in the same room.”
Norvell also expressed his excitement with the Rams’ running back room. With returners Justin Marshall, Jalen Dupree and Keegan Holles leading the way, the addition of transfer Lloyd Avant from Tulsa gives the team a possible four-headed monster at that position.
Building on what the Rams were able to do in the running game last year adds to the optimism even more.
“I love our running backs,” Norvell said. “Jalen Dupree’s had a great spring. Justin’s had a great spring. We added Lloyd Avant to that group, and it’s a dynamic running back group. Probably the best running back group I’ve ever had.”
Defensively, the Rams are pleased with how they handled learning the system of new defensive coordinator Tyson Summers. Norvell said he is pleased with the way the team has bought in to Summers and almost an entirely new defensive staff.
With the conclusion of spring practice, Norvell said that he is looking at adding a few more players to the roster via the transfer portal. Then the focus will turn toward fall camp in early August, when the Rams will begin preparation for the 2025 season and its opening game Aug. 30 at Washington.
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