Jon Embree was quick to name Tyler Hansen as Colorado’s starting quarterback following spring drills.
And now the first-year head coach has sent a message of confidence to the team about the kicking game by naming freshman Will Oliver as the new placekicker.
“It’s like quarterback, right?” Embree said after Tuesday’s morning practice. “How long are we going to just keep pretending?”
Oliver had made nine consecutive field goals from 24 yards when Embree announced aloud that if he made it 10 in a row in front of the team the job was his. Oliver calmly split the uprights, and later made three more field goals in the sessions — two from 42 yards and another from about 34 yards.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Oliver said. “Special teams here with Jon Embree has always been a big emphasis, so it’s good to see that they care a lot about it. I’m interested to see the challenges that come my way in the next few weeks.”
Oliver beats out Justin Castor and Zach Grossnickle, who were at the top of the post-spring depth chart before he arrived on campus. The Buffs struggled in the kicking game in recent years with Aric Goodman.
