Colorado State Football: Players To Watch In 2020
The Rams bring a load of talent to the field. We look at some players to keep an eye on.
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Who do Rams fans need to keep an eye on?
The 2020 season is in some doubts. At best it looks to be a conference only schedule. At worst the entire season will be postponed or cancelled. Let’s hope for the best and take a look at some talent to keep an eye on for this Colorado State squad.
The obvious candidates are Warren Jackson, Dante Wright, and Trey McBride. But we’re going to go a different route and list those role players who could have a bigger than expected impact on this Rams squad this season.
Offense
1. Jaylen Thomas, RB
Coming into the 2019 season, Thomas wasn’t expected to see the field much. However he immediately made a good impression on the coaches to earn playing time. He was behind Marvin Kinsey and Marcus McElroy and only earning a few touches. When Kinsey was dismissed from the team Thomas saw his touches increase from an average of four per game to 9.6 per game.
Thomas looks to build on his decent stat line from his freshman year. He finished the 2019 season with 68 attempts for 222 yards and three scores. He also added 14 catches for 113 yards, becoming the Rams primary receiving threat out of the backfield when Marvin Kinsey left. If Thomas can stake his claim on the RB2 position on the depth chart, the Rams could have an electric backfield combo this season.
2. Cameron Butler, TE
The man you can’t sleep on according to Warren Jackson. Coming into the 2019 season, both Butler and Trey McBride were placed on the Mackey Award watch list. Butler had just come off an impressive two year run as an underclassman and was expected to take on an expanded role. He put in work in the offseason to become a better blocker and unfortunately that work caught up to him. Butler got bit by the injury bug and he missed the Rams final five games of 2019.
If Butler can get over that bout with the injury bug the Rams can potentially claim to have one of the better tight end duos in the nation. All of the attention will be on McBride, but Butler can sneak in there and make defenses remember that the Rams aren’t a one man show at the tight end position.
3. Elijah Johnson, OL
Not a player you would expect to be on this list. Johnson was hurt for most of his career at Boston College, playing in just three games since his freshman season in 2016. But he, along with Cam Reddy and Adam Korutz, brings a knowledge of head coach Steve Addazio’s systems.
Nothing can replace actual playing experience, which the three transfers don’t have a lot of, but the knowledge they do bring can help bring the line up to speed faster and help them gel quicker as a unit. Chemistry has been the one thing this unit has seemed to struggle with for the past couple of years. Johnson could be a key piece to bring that chemistry back.
Defense
1. Livingston Paogofie, DL
The 6’1″ 270lb senior from Arlington, Texas hasn’t lit up the defensive stat sheet, amassing just 34 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, during his time in Fort Collins. But he brings consistent effort to the practice field and to the field on game day.
Paogofie won’t ever be the flashy player along the defensive line. He’s going to be that grinder who does the dirty work individually, so the team can claim the reward. His work ethic is what places him on this list and this is something that can’t be measured. Even if his impact isn’t immediate to the eye, watch for Paogofie this season to see a player that does what needs to be done.
2. Mohamed Kamara, LB
The sophomore from Newark, N.J. makes this list based on his potential. The previous coaching regime saw enough in the true freshman to hand him four starts in the Rams final seven games last season. His single-game high was six tackles twice, once against San Diego state and again versus Air Force, where he also had a fumble return for a touchdown.
The reps Kamara earned as a freshman will prove beneficial. Both of the Rams presumed starters, Cam’ron Carter and Dequan Jackson, both earned playing time as true freshman and they have grown into the players they are today. If Kamara can learn from those two, as they did from Tre Thomas and Josh Watson, then he can become a great linebacker for CSU.
3. Keevan Bailey, CB
The son of the legendary Champ Bailey. Keevan however would prefer to make his own legacy and not live off the name of his father. He got off to pretty good start last season. In eight games, including one start, Bailey amassed 20 tackles, a sack, and an interception.
This season Bailey is expected to take on a bigger role. Rashad Ajayi and Marshaun Cameron are expected to be the starters, but Bailey won’t give up without a fight. With the departure of Brandon Crossley (transferred to SMU), Bailey will see more playing time, including in nickel packages and as a regular part of the rotation.
