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A motivated man

Posted August 8, 2008

Redshirt freshman wideout Jason Espinoza might remind a lot of folks of former CU punt return man Chase McBride. They're both little guys for the Division I level. And they're both driven.

McBride worked hard in the program for four years and developed a reputation as a guy who could be counted on, whether it was getting to meetings on time or never letting a punt hit the ground. McBride was rewarded last season when he served as the punt return man all year.

Espinoza seems to be nearly as sure-handed after spending the spring and summer putting in the work to give himself the best chance possible to succeed McBride.

Espinoza even punished himself when he made mistakes.

"This summer when I was catching punts if I ever dropped one, I would run a gasser," said the redshirt freshman from Alamosa. "I would be more tired so it would help me to be more focused."

Espinoza says he hasn't dropped a ball recently and believes he has a good chance to earn the punt return job and maybe even get on the field as a receiver if he continues his steady play.

It's been nearly two years since he has played in a game and he's getting antsy to get back on the field. It's the same story for his roommates Anthony Perkins and Anthony Wright, both of whom redshirted with Espinoza last year.

"Last year all of us would get real excited before the games and get pumped up and then realize we were redshirting and had to sit down. It was kind of hard," he said.