Tuesday, July 20, 2021

2021 Season Countdown: #51 Reece Atteberry

 

Reece Atteberry (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Reece Atteberry
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 284 lbs.
High school: Aurora (CO) Eaglecrest
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #74
Last year: I ranked Atteberry #103 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 74

Atteberry surprised me a little bit last season. He was the lowest-ranked scholarship player in the countdown, but he ended up playing in one game on special teams against Minnesota. Usually you want big, beefy guys on the field goal protection unit, and at 284 pounds, Atteberry was not one of the biggest or beefiest guys available. But he got on the field, so good for him. That probably means the coaches were pleased with what they saw out of him in summer/fall practice.

This off-season Atteberry has been mixed in the talk about the center position. At one point I heard a rumor that he was a possible starter, but I found that to be very surprising. As the spring and summer have progressed, there has been more talk about Zak Zinter playing center. With Andrew Vastardis, Raheem Anderson II, Greg Crippen, and Nolan Rumler all also available, there's no shortage of bodies. My guess is that it will be Zinter at #1, Vastardis as the primary backup, and then other guys filling in at center and/or guard on occasion to give them playing experience for when Vastardis graduates or for when a guard spot opens up, perhaps allowing Zinter to slide one way or the other.

Prediction: Backup center

3 comments:

  1. 284 is small, especially for a full season

    Agree we have no shortage of bodies, but we're desperate for a leader of this OL group. Otherwise, we're headed for another year like when Kugler was the guy

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  2. Zinter at center means Filiaga will be start at G?

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    Replies
    1. I don't think Filiaga's job is solidified. I think there are backups like Barnhart or Keegan who could take that spot.

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