FORT COLLINS — Spring practice under a new coach is always a crash course in an alternate way of doing things. It can also mean the first day of the fall is a day of regrouping, but Colorado State coach Mike Bobo didn’t feel that way at all.

Instead, he was encouraged by the first day of practice for the 105 Rams who reported Friday.

“Day One was good. They were light years ahead of where we were at the end of spring,” Bobo said. “After Day 15 of the spring game, really light years ahead of assignment, alignment, execution. Still a lot of mistakes, but light years. Lining up fast, communication. It was good to see.”

He did feel the team was tired at the of the session, thinking that giving them off the three days prior to practice was maybe not in their best interest. What the practice did prove to the coaching staff was the summer was spent getting a better grasp of the new systems, which is what they wanted to show.

“It’s always fun to get back out on the field and get back after not being able to play,” tight end Nolan Peralta said. “You work out all summer for this opportunity to play again, so today was just a lot of fun. The fact we have been in the system awhile now, we were able to execute a little bit better, or at least we’re further along. I feel going forward, we’re only progress more and more.”

As for the true freshmen, Bobo said as a group they were lost, which was expected. He said the important thing was they had a chance “to play a little football.”

Coming back — As expected, tight end Kivon Cartwright was limited in practice, but so too was center Jake Bennett. Cartwright missed all but the first game last year with an ankle injury that lingered from the spring before, while Bennett missed the final nine games after injuring his knee during a bye week.

Bobo said Bennett had a slight setback with a shoulder injury last week, leading the coaching staff to be cautious with him.

“New staff, new system, missed spring, missed first day, we need to get him out there at center, but at the same time, it’s only the first practice,” Bobo said. “We need to be smart as coaches. He’s frustrated, but we’ve got to make sure he’s 100 percent where we don’t put him at risk where he could have a major setback.”

As for Cartwright, the senior who was granted a sixth season of eligibility looked smooth running routes from Bobo’s perspective, as well as having assignments nearly down pat in walk-through sessions.

“We’re going to take it slow with Kivon,” he said. “We’ve got a long season, there’s a long time before the first game. We’re going to make sure when he’s out there, he’s able to play 100 percent and he has full confidence in his ankle. I’m very positive about him.”

Newcomers — All of the true freshmen reported for camp and were at practice, minus one. Local product Max McDonald was not on the field. The linebacker from Rocky Mountain High School is taking a grayshirt year and will enroll at school in the fall and be on campus for spring ball next year.

Colorado State had a recruiting class of just 13, not including the addition of Vanderbilt transfer Mitch Parsons, a tight end. He, as well as true freshman offensive lineman Colby Meeks, participated in spring drills.

Roster management — Because of lingering injury concerns, offensive tackle Jordan Finley and defensive back Davon Riddick are no longer playing for the Rams. The two seniors remain on scholarship as medical hardships, though their numbers do not count against Colorado State’s limit of 85. The Rams are likely short of that, but Bobo quipped with a smile that the actual count “is a secret.”

Bobo said both Finley and Riddick will remain involved with the team, Finley helping out offensive coordinator and line coach Will Friend, Riddick assisting director of football operations Tom Ehlers.

Mike Brohard: 970-635-3633, mbrohard@reporter-herald.com and twitter.com/mbrohard