In previous coaching stops, Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis built a reputation for his up-tempo scheme that stresses the defense.

CU’s offensive players are adjusting to the pace, but it’s been perhaps a bigger challenge for the Buffaloes’ defense.

“Fast. It’s definitely different, but we getting used to it, man,” CU linebacker LaVonta Bentley said this week. “Like, tempo, tempo, tempo. I know during the season when we play teams, we’re gonna blow through them. We getting prepared for that and it starts at practice.”

The Buffs have gone through 10 of 15 spring practices and the offense has done its best to challenge the defense every day.

“No, not at all,” CU linebackers coach Andre Hart said when asked if the defense is handling the pace better than earlier in the spring. “The offense is putting the pedal to the metal. They are on the gas. We’re trying to adjust and line up quickly.”

Hart wasn’t complaining. In fact, he said it’s been good for the defense to get tested like it has this spring.

“You know what? We love it,” he said. “If they continue to do that, like that, then when the game time happens in September, we will be ready. The game will be slower for us and we’ll be ready to execute. So we keep telling (the offense), keep pushing the gas. They’re confusing us, they’re having us all over the place. If you’re out there, you see folks jumping, running around, trying to get lined up and that’s good for us because when it comes time to win the games, we’ll be ready. So, no, we’re nowhere near ready to handle that tempo.”

Safety Trevor Woods said it has been a challenge, but there is a key to getting at least a little bit of rest.

“You’ve got to stay conditioned because it is tiring,” Woods said. “There’s a lot of running around, but if we get stops then it lets us slow down a little bit. So, get stops.”

Overall, from the front seven to the secondary, Hart said the defense is “getting there,” in terms of coming together this spring.

“We’re never satisfied because we’re putting so much in because we’re trying to put competition on the mental state, as well as the physical,” Hart said. “On the field, the practices we do that’s going to be physical, right? But we’re adding in stuff every single day to see how they handle it mentally because here’s the thing: when we get into a game, we’re gonna be playing against teams where we’ll have a game plan, but they’ll have a game plan, too, and then we’re gonna have to make adjustments on the field.

“When those adjustments happen, you have to be able to mentally switch over what you practiced all week, to a whole new way of playing or executing the play when we get back on the field. So that’s why we’re trying to press them right now, to see how much can you handle? How much change can you handle? … So, we’re not satisfied with it (at the moment), but we are happy that the guys are taking the challenge and are trying to get it.”

Tank’s potential

Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan became a full-time starter for CU a year ago, starting the last eight games at left tackle. The 6-foot-10, 315-pound junior, who is the tallest player in CU history, is still developing, however.

“This is this guy’s first offseason where he’s actually had to lift and made it through with that because he’s had injuries,” offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle said. “He’s got a natural punch, which I actually love in pass (protection). He knows how to work his hands. Now it’s just a matter of, with the big tall cats, man, you’ve got to work on the flexibility and be able to bend, not just at the waist, but dropping their hips and dropping their knees. He shows some signs of being a great one.”

Freshman safety Dixson to transfer

One of the top young players on the Colorado football roster is leaving the Buffaloes.

On Friday, redshirt freshman safety Dylan Dixson announced that he plans to find an opportunity elsewhere.

“First of all, I would like to give thanks to the University of Colorado, the staff and the people of Boulder for giving me the opportunity to further my education and pursue my dreams,” Dixson wrote on Twitter. “With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility.”

The transfer portal window opens on Saturday. Players from around the country have until April 30 to put their names into the portal.

Dixson is the second member of CU’s 2022 recruiting class to announce transfer plans this week, joining cornerback Keyshon Mills.

Dixson, from Pearland (Texas) High School, was the highest-rated player in CU’s 2022 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.com. The 6-foot-2, 165-pounder played in three games last season, recording three tackles in 32 snaps on defense. He missed the second half of the season with an injury.

Notable

Edge rusher Jeremiah Brown was one of the top players for Hart last season at Jackson State, posting 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. He’s going to be used in a variety of spots at CU, as well. “You’ll see him off the ball and on the ball,” Hart said. “He’s a dynamic athlete. He was that at Jackson State. He’s gonna be that for us here.” … Guard Tyler Brown was also a star at JSU last year. O’Boyle said Brown is “raw,” but has great potential. “He doesn’t use his strength the way I want him to but it’s coming,” O’Boyle said. “He puts the time in, man. He’s gonna be a great one. I love what he’s doing.” … The Buffs were off on Friday and return to the field on Saturday.