Fall camp rages on throughout the Pac-12. Throughout the week, we'll provide a team-by-team update of the biggest remaining position battle at each program throughout the conference. We continue with Colorado.
Biggest remaining position battle: Defensive line
Importance: In the Pac-12 South, Colorado faces possibly the most difficult rebuilding situation in the country. The margin for error is just too small to see incremental improvements translate to wins. A year ago, the offense -- particularly the passing game -- did its part to keep the Buffs in some games, but their defense just didn't hold up. They weren't big enough up front, not strong enough, not enough depth. That won't be fixed overnight, but through the recruitment of junior-college defensive linemen Jordan Carrell, Leo Jackson and Blake Robbins, it was clear the staff prioritized the need for players who could help right away.
Of those three, Carell and Jackson, both tackles, appears more likely to contribute right away. Carell was listed as the No. 2 behind Samson Kafovalu coming out of spring ball, but has worked with the first team at times in camp. Without last year's starting defensive tackles -- Juda Parker (graduation) and Josh Tupou (discipline) -- that is a definite spot of concern. Justin Solis has played a lot of football, but other than him, there isn't much experience on the interior. Kafovalu's return to the team after a season away should help, but, ideally, Jase Franke and Jackson would play a lot of snaps, too.
This isn't a traditional battle in that it's one guy vs. another, but it's still the most important in terms of where Colorado will benefit the most.