Mike Brohard / Loveland Reporter-Herald)
FORT COLLINS — Need is not a guarantee.
Colorado State definitely had openings on the defensive line heading into the season with all four starters from last year's team graduating. To compound the problem, the reserves didn't get a lot of plays in the 4-3 scheme of former defensive coordinator Tyson Summers.
The 3-4 system the Rams were set to move forward with requires less bodies, not that the numbers softened the blow much considering the lack of experience.
Still, expecting a true freshman to come in and make an impact was a bit of a stretch, especially one like Toby McBride who, while he was a beast of an athlete at Fort Morgan High School, was going to be a bit undersized for the role he was recruited to fill.