Here was Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, one of the state’s most intriguing college players, eating a burger and chips inside a white tent in Fort Lupton as charity golf participants walked by without bothering him. Fowler-Nicolosi, entering his second season as a starter, doesn’t look the part of someone who turned down $600,000 to transfer to a Power 4 school.
“Brayden was a freshman quarterback starting for us last year. And, now, a year later, he still looks like he’s 12 years old,” Colorado State coach Jay Norvell said with a laugh.
But he doesn’t play like it. Fowler-Nicolosi competes without fear, throwing for 3,460 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. The problem? The 16 interceptions. When looking at how the Rams can snap their streak of six straight losing seasons, it starts there. Here’s a look at the five keys to the 2024 campaign.
Interception prescription: Fowler-Nicolosi must not get bored by completions. He admittedly tried to make plays that were not there last season. Trusting in star receiver Tory Horton and transfers Armani Winfield and Donovan Ollie remains critical. If Fowler-Nicolosi can post a 2-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, the chances of CSU reaching a bowl will increase dramatically.
Balancing act: Norvell knows the Rams must reduce their turnovers, but pointed out the absence of a running game to help his young quarterback last season. The top rusher finished with 389 yards and transferred. Justin Marshall started the final three games and posted 319 yards, including eclipsing 100 in his debut, the first freshman to pull that off since 1974. Marshall should have some space to run inside behind stalwart center Jacob Gardner.
Cross the finish line: The Rams gagged away their season-finale to Hawaii, costing them a bowl berth. It was symbolic of an ongoing issue. They went 3-3 in one-score games, suffering painful losses to Colorado and UNLV. Norvell believes his team is better prepared and wiser. And they are definitely older, which should help the Rams finish what they started.
Backs get defensive: CSU yielded 29.6 points per game last season, an unsightly figure for a team looking to turn the corner. The Rams dipped into the transfer portal to bolster their defensive line. And they will lean on linebacker Chase Wilson, who delivered 8.5 sacks last season. However, the strength of the unit remains the secondary where the starters are either graduates or seniors. Jack Howell, a first-team all-conference performer, is a sound tackler.
Deal with the pressure: This is a defining season for Norvell. Can he get the Rams back on track? Can he win a rivalry game? Norvell still believes in high school recruiting and developing players. This group is seasoned and ready and has a favorable schedule with seven home games, including vs. CU and Wyoming. There are no excuses preventing improvement.