updated 7:28 p.m. ET Aug. 19, 2007

BOULDER, Colo. - Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins, son of coach Dan Hawkins, has moved to the top of the team’s depth chart

Cody Hawkins has been competing with junior college transfer Nick Nelson for the Buffaloes’ starting job.

Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich said the redshirt freshman moved up because of his consistent play.

“He makes almost every routine play and that’s a big deal as a quarterback — just making every play that’s there,” Helfrich said. “And then the difference-maker-type plays, those are the ones you have to make a majority of to be on the greater side of good. Cody has worked toward that.”

In a scrimmage Saturday, Nelson and Hawkins both led touchdown drives.

Coach Hawkins said the depth chart could still change before the Buffaloes open the season Sept. 1 against Colorado State.

The team also said Sunday that freshman wide receiver Josh Smith was hospitalized for observation Saturday evening after bruising his kidney in the scrimmage Saturday. He was out indefinitely.

Also, linebacker Marcus Burton was declared academically ineligible for the season.

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