Tag: Hank Zilinskas

Phil Loadholt addresses battle at center between Hank Zilinskas, Cash Cleveland

The rise of Cash Cleveland has left Colorado with an interesting situation at center

The Colorado Buffaloes have seen improvement up and down the offensive line, though that hasn’t meant every single player has reaped the benefits.

Hank Zilinskas, who has started every game at center for Colorado this season, hasn’t finished two of his past three contests. Offensive line coach Phil Loadholt took to the microphone on Wednesday and addressed the sophomore’s struggles, particularly in snapping the ball.

“I don’t know what it is with him, maybe it’s a confidence issue or going on the road,” Loadholt noted of certain times Zilinskas has had poor snaps blow up plays for Colorado’s offense.

Freshman Cash Cleveland has been the replacement when trust in Zilinskas has been in doubt, and the freshman has taken his newfound opportunity and seized it. Cleveland allowed just one pressure in 51 pass-blocking snaps against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday and is has a serious chance of starting this weekend against the Utah Utes. Time will tell if Zilinskas is able to secure the starting spot once more.

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Pat Shurmur praises ‘tough’ Colorado center Hank Zilinskas

Hank Zilinskas’ loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed

Hank Zilinskas’ loyalty to the Colorado Buffaloes football program hasn’t gone unnoticed.

A local product from Cherry Creek High School who committed to CU during the Karl Dorrell era, Zilinskas has hung tough and was even rewarded with considerable playing time as a true freshman last season. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman started at center in wins over Colorado State and Arizona State last fall when Van Wells hit the injured list.

Speaking with the media on Thursday, new full-time CU offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur acknowledged that Zilinskas’ willingness to stay put and compete isn’t seen often in college football anymore.

“It’s easy now for guys to just pull the ripcord and take off,” Shurmur said. “Hank was here a year ago and got some reps. Then, he watched this winter as we brought in like six guys around him. He didn’t say anything. He kept working, he was resilient and he was tough. He kept learning, kept developing and got bigger. He did all the things you want from a young man that we’ve developed, so credit to him. If we had to play a game tomorrow, he’d probably be the guy in there.”

As Shurmur mentioned, expect Zilinskas to run with the No. 1 offense during Saturday’s spring game.

Colorado’s annual Black and Gold spring football game will begin at 1 p.m. MT on the Pac-12 Network.

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Colorado starting center Van Wells reportedly doubtful vs. Colorado State

Van Wells is reportedly “doubtful” for tonight’s game vs. CSU

Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Colorado starting center Van Wells is doubtful for Saturday’s Week 3 game against Colorado State.

Wells, one of the few returning Buffs from last season’s team, left last week’s game against Nebraska with an apparent leg injury and was replaced by true freshman Hank Zilinskas. Thamel reported Wells was limited in practice this week.

Zilinskas is expected to make his first career start vs. the Rams. The three-star Cherry Creek High School (Colorado) graduate committed to the Buffs prior to the 2022 season before signing his letter of intent in December. He also received offers from Kansas State, Penn and Nevada during his recruitment.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was asked about Wells’ status on Tuesday:

“(He’s) healing,” Sanders said. “The thing about it, this is a game where it’s next man up. (Zilinskas) came in and did a great job and we didn’t miss a beat. … We have the depth that we need; we could always use more, but I feel like we’re OK at that position. Hopefully, Van gets better soon.”

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