There are some running backs coaches who prefer to have a lead back who can handle the bulk of the carries. Others like to have two they can lean on.

Colorado’s first-year running backs coach, Marshall Faulk, simply wants to trust as many backs as possible.

“The guys that I trust will play,” the Hall of Famer said.

Faulk, who starred in the NFL from 1994-2005, became one of the best running backs in history because he was reliable on every snap and could do everything the position required.

“I brought him in, first and foremost, because of his expertise of what he does,” CU head coach Deion Sanders said. “I feel like we’re better in the backfield, especially with addition of Marshall Faulk.”

To this point, in fact, Faulk is the only addition to the room.

All five scholarship running backs from last year have returned, including leading rusher Isaiah Augustave (85 carries for 384 yards). Dallan Hayden (64 carries for 196 yards), Micah Welch (43 for 186) and Charlie Offerdahl (26 for 119) also started at times. The other scholarship back, Brandon Hood, redshirted last year.

CU was last in the country in rushing, in large part because it leaned on the talented passing game, but Faulk has said, “I can guarantee you we are going to be better.”

For the backs to be better and have a bigger role, Faulk is teaching the details that made him great.

“I’m gonna ask them to do certain things and I want to know what they like doing,” he said. “So I’m gonna try to put them in positions to win, but in practice, I’m gonna ask them to do some of the things that they dislike, because I need them to get better at that so they can grow if they want to go to the next level.”

Taking a handoff or pitch and running with the ball is only part of the job, and not the most important attribute needed to get on the field.

“For my guys, just making sure that they understand the fundamentals of the game,” Faulk said. “Knowing your assignment, knowing your alignment, knowing who to get and how to get them, that’s what we’ve got to do. There’s two things that you got to be able to do when you play running back: protect the ball and protect the quarterback. If you can’t do them, then you can’t play. You are a hazard to the team.

“Waking up every day just trying to get better is how you be great; not trying to be great. Just try to be better and, eventually, you’re going to hit your head on great.”

QB competition

The competition to replace star quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who has graduated, might go well into training camp in August.

The battle is well underway this spring, though, with senior Kaidon Salter, a Liberty transfer, and true freshman Julian Lewis, a five-star recruit, leading the way.

Coach Prime said the main thing he’s looking for is leadership.

“Leadership, being able to see the field, being able to rally those guys around, because you got to understand, you got to have a bona fide leader,” he said. “You rarely huddle in college football, so those guys rarely get to look in the quarterback’s eyes and see what he consists of, and is he still composed. They rarely do that.”

Notable

True freshman lineman Chauncey Gooden is a big man at 6-foot-3, 380 pounds, and he’s making a good impression. “He’s somebody I have a lot of high praise for and a lot a lot of high hopes for,” offensive line coach Gunnar White said. “He’s an early enrollee, so it’s going to take him a little time to get used to the pace of it and the way that we run things, but I think he’s got a very bright future ahead of him, and I’m very proud of him.” … Assistant offensive line coach George Hegamin said Illinois transfer Zy Crisler, a 6-7, 340-pouind senior has impressed him. “His awareness sticks out to me immediately,” Hegamin said. “I’m just gonna say it, man, I think Zy is a dawg, like, I really do. He really enjoys what he’s doing.” … CU was off this past week for spring break, but will resume practices on Tuesday.