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bsn BSN: Second year in Leavitt defense helping put ‘CU back on the map’

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BOULDER — Defensive linemen aren’t known for being the most talkative bunch, at least not with the media. Colorado’s Jase Franke is no different.

The junior, who’s listed at nose tackle but should see action throughout the line as the Buffs rotate players around, is not going to talk your ear off with predictions of accomplishments or self-satisfying analysis. That’s not his style, not at all.

Even when describing the team’s upcoming trip to Michigan to face the Wolverines in the Big House, Franke talks about the potential “once in a lifetime experience” with a calm reservation. He’s waiting for Sept. 2 when the Buffs open against Colorado State—for a chance to prove that this offseason has indeed been different. He believes that it has been, especially for his defense and defensive line.

“As a unit we’re a lot better this year than going into last year,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys stepping up.”

One of the things Franke points out right away is the conditioning that his group is in right now, which he notes as being an important difference compared to years passed. For his teammates, he sees that as being a possible difference in them avoiding injury or not. For himself, having missed two games a year ago with a concussion, he knows that there’s no true way to prevent a player’s worst nightmare. All he can do is prepare.

“All I’m trying to do is just fit in,” said Franke. “I hope to play well.”

Coming out of last Saturday and the Buffs’ scrimmage, there was no doubt the impression that Colorado’s defense left on observers. It is a group that has struggled for what feels like the better half of a decade, as college football has continued moving further towards fast-paced, spread offenses. In the team’s second year under Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt, Franke sees the difference.

“Last year a lot of us were learning it,” he said of Leavitt’s system. “It’s really hard to learn a new defense but now with a year under our belt and knowing how to play this defense, it’s going to be a lot better.

I think this is our year for bringing CU back on the map. It’s great that we’re going to have all of our big name guys back.”

Check out our latest coverage from CU’s Fall camp:

BSN Buffs Podcast: Fall camp concerns arise

Devin Ross called the Pac-12’s best slot receiver

Tedric Thompson: Buffs deserve to win

William Whelan
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