Guide to new-look CSU football: The Air Raid, Clay Millen and lots of new faces
A whole lot has changed since fans last saw the Colorado State football team in a competitive game.
The Rams play at No. 6/8 Michigan football Saturday (10 a.m., ABC), and for many fans it will will be an introduction to a new-look team.
There's a new coaching staff, whole new systems and a ton of new players (nearly 60 of them). Here's a guide to keep handy on what you'll see with this CSU football team.
How Jay Norvell ended up at Colorado State
The sequence of events that ended with Jay Norvell as CSU’s football coach is filled with irony. Norvell’s Nevada crushed CSU 52-10 in the final game of 2021 and then-Ram coach Steve Addazio was ejected before halftime.
Not long after, Addazio was fired and CSU swooped and plucked Norvell from a conference foe.
Why did he leave? Resources.
His base compensation at Nevada was $625,000. His base pay at CSU is $1.6 million in 2022 and will rise $100,000 per year to $2 million by the final year of the deal in 2026.
His salary and pool for assistants ($3 million) will put him around the top of the conference after being near the bottom at Nevada.
Norvell to CSU:More on why Jay Norvell left Nevada for CSU
It’s also about facilities.
CSU’s $220 million Canvas Stadium opened in 2017 with a capacity of 36,500 (up to 41,000 standing-room) and has weight room, locker room, meeting rooms and more to rival any Group of 5 stadium and many Power 5 stadiums.
What is the Air Raid?
You’ll hear it repeatedly on TV: the Air Raid offense.
But what is it? Well, it was created by Hal Mumme and his son, Matt, is CSU’s associate head coach and quarterbacks coach. Matt Mumme and Norvell worked together at Nevada and took the Air Raid and sprinkled in some West Coast and pistol concepts to create this version.
The Air Raid is designed to be a high-scoring, aggressive offense. But it’s also very simple. It’s so simple that there’s no playbook.
The core of the offense is to get the ball to playmakers in space and it's diverse in targets so no one player can be shut down by a defense without opening up other options. Another core tenant is to throw the ball deep and often. It wears on a defense to know any play could be the BIG SHOT play.
It can be a thrilling offense to watch.
Who runs the defense?
OK, the Air Raid should put up points, but to eventually be a championship-level team, the defense will need to make some stops. In comes Freddie Banks, a rising star and CSU defensive coordinator.
Just 33-years-old, Banks has the look of a future head coach.
Depth chart:See the starters for the Rams vs. Michigan
"New CSU coach Jay Norvell made a smart, under-the-radar coordinator hire in Banks, who helped Montana State to the FCS national title game last year, behind the nation's No. 6 scoring defense," ESPN writes. "He could rise quickly with success in Fort Collins."
He runs a base 4-2-5 system (four D-linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs) and aims for a fast, ball-hawking defense.
Do we dare ask about special teams?
CSU fans, you may want to sit down for this one. You actually have a special teams coach now. Shocking, indeed.
After spending years having the head coach tell fans his special teams were electric despite those fans seeing debacle after debacle, these new-look Rams actually have someone leading that unit.
Tommy Perry is the first special teams coordinator (as his only role) CSU has ever had. His units have largely had good success at Nevada and UTSA. Paddy Turner (No. 41) is your punter and Cayden Camper (No. 95) is likely the kicker.
The new faces (and numbers) to know
OK, you’ve got an Air Raid offense. Who’s running it? If you’re dropping in to watch the Rams, you’ll need to know these names:
Clay Millen (No. 11): The 6-foot-3, right-handed redshirt freshman makes his first college start Saturday at Michigan. His youth football exploits are legendary.
Tory Horton (No. 14): The 6-foot-2 junior receiver has 995 yards and 10 touchdowns in college (at Nevada) and will remind CSU fans of Rashard Higgins.
Melquan Stovall (No. 0): The 5-foot-8 slot speed demon. Big-time play-making ability.
Big fellas: Four of the five offensive line starters are new. Dante Bivens (No. 74, left guard), Jacob Gardner (No. 75, center), Gray Davis (No. 67, right guard), Dontae Keys (No. 52, right tackle).
How about new defensive players?
CJ Onyechi (No. 2): The 6-foot defensive end from Rutgers needs to be a force in the backfield.
Angel King (No. 4): The 6-foot defensive back will be key after transferring from Nevada, starting at safety but also playing cornerback at times.
Chigozie Anusiem (No. 7): The 6-foot-1 cornerback transfer from Cal is CSU’s hope of a shutdown corner.
Familiar names return
It’s not all new players. There are some key returning Rams who fans will remember.
Season predictions:A game-by-game breakdown of the 2022 season
Dequan Jackson (No. 5): The linebacker is a longtime captain and the heart and soul of the defense (and, arguably, the whole team).
A’Jon Vivens (No. 1): The running back could flourish in this offense and he’s been voted a captain by teammates.
Dante Wright (No. 22): The receiver is dangerous in space and will find ways to succeed in the Air Raid.
Mohamed Kamara (No. 42): The defensive end had 7.5 sacks last year and will be counted on as a sack-master.
Brian Crespo-Jaquez (No. 71): The Michigan game is his first start, but the redshirt sophomore is from Poudre High School in Fort Collins and is tasked with protecting the blindside as left tackle.
Tanner Arkin (No. 89): Your new tight end with Trey McBride in the NFL. Arkin, from Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, is highly thought of by CSU's coaches.
Tywan Francis (No. 8): Another longtime veteran who will start at nickel for the Rams.
Henry Blackburn (No. 11): Starting safety. Has been good when healthy.
Jack Howell (No. 17): The safety isn't listed as a starter but he'll play a lot.
Why is Colorado State playing Michigan football?
Michigan is a College Football Playoff team and a 30.5-point favorite over the Rams. Why is this game happening?
It's a "buy" game where Michigan pays an opponent to play an early-season game at the Big House. CSU gets a big $1.8 million payday for this one.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Guide to new look Colorado State football team as Rams face Michigan
