Buffs OT Haigler Stepping Into Leadership Role

BOULDER — After two years as one of the youngsters on the offensive line, Colorado junior Aaron Haigler is making the transition to elder statesmen.

It means Haigler, whose 16 career starts are the second-most on CU's line (trailing only Tim Lynott's 24), is stepping into a leadership role. It is something Haigler is embracing, and a role that will be vitally important as an overall young offensive line tries to bounce back from a sub-par 2017.

"I really enjoy being a leader and being someone to look up to," Haigler said. "In years past, we've had a lot of good older guys and different styles of leadership. I think I've gotten a good sense of what everyone is doing. But I'm also trying to work in with what I know and improve myself at the same time."

With Lynott out this spring rehabbing an Achilles injury, Haigler and fellow tackle Josh Kaiser (the only senior on CU's line) have been tasked with the role of providing daily guidance. It means providing everything from advice during practice to helpful hints in the film room to simply a little encouragement in conditioning drills.

"Josh is also a leader and I can learn from him," Haigler said. "I think it's a good situation when you can be a leader, but you also have someone you can look up to."

This will no doubt be an important year for Haigler, for a variety of reasons.

One, he is getting plenty of time in at left tackle after playing the right side of the line (tackle and guard) for the last two seasons.

Two, he believes he has finally adjusted to a roughly 70-pound weight gain since his arrival in 2015, when he came from Notre Dame High School in Northridge, Calif., as a tight end who had just converted to tackle in his senior season.

Adjusting to that weight gain, Haigler said, wasn't easy, particularly when it came to the footwork involved with playing on the offensive line.

"When you put on 70 pounds in two years, it's going to take a toll on you no matter what," he said. "That's just the fact of it, playing O-line. When you come in as a tight end, get switched over, you have to answer the call of duty. It took a little while but I think it's come a long way."

Haigler also saw some time at guard last year as the Buffs had to adjust on the fly because of injuries.

Now, he's spent most of this spring at left tackle — another new spot — while also still getting some snaps on the right side. He played both in Saturday's scrimmage at Folsom Field, starting out on the left side, then moving to the right when redshirt freshman Jacob Moretti took some snaps on the left side.

Haigler said the left side "feels a little more natural," but in the end, he wants to play "wherever they put me. It doesn't matter to me."

What does matter is that Haigler and Kaiser have both been instrumental in helping CU's young line make some significant progress this spring. The lead group has seen a variety of players get some repetitions, including a host of redshirt freshmen — Colby Pursell at center, William Sherman at guard and tackle and Chance Lytle at guard and tackle — as well as junior Dillon Middlemiss at guard.

"I think it's going well," Haigler said. "Obviously, every day there's something to improve on, and that's what we're working on in the spring, improving day in and day out. I think that's gone well. Especially as a group, we've come a long way. A lot of young guys that have stepped up in big roles. I think that's my favorite thing that's happened so far this spring."

In that regard, Haigler can draw on his experience. After three years in the program, he's learned from a variety of leaders and been able to take something from each of their styles.

"I played with everyone from (Stephane) Nembot to Alex Kelley to Jeromy Irwin to Gerrad Kough to Jonathan Huckins," Haigler said. "All those guys have different styles and the important thing when you are young is to listen, follow it and learn. You learn what you think is right, and when the time comes, you're able to execute what you want to do in that role."

Now, in a spring when the Buffs are not only replacing three senior starters from last year, but also dealing with a handful of injuries again, Haigler is doing his best to help the young players develop as fast as possible.

"That's the great thing about spring," he said. "When you get some guys that are hurt, you get a lot of opportunities to work in with different guys. I've challenged myself to to try and make each guy around me better when I play, like playing with Will, or playing with Jake or playing with Chance. Just any young guys that need help, trying to get them comfortable, the mentality and what it takes to be playing at this level."

Offensive line coach Klayton Adams said Haigler and Kaiser have done a good job of stepping into the leadership role.

"I feel some of the older guys really relish the opportunity to be in a leadership role," Adams said. "Particularly Aaron Haigler and Josh Kaiser … they really do a good job of helping the young guys rather than kind of giving them (grief) or being a little separated from them. That's a hard thing because you have to develop leadership and I really feel like some guys want to do it and those two guys definitely want to do it."

PRACTICE REPORT: The Buffs hit the outdoor practice field in full pads Monday morning, and were greeted with a snow-covered surface, thanks to Sunday night's storm. By the end of the workout, however, the snow was gone and the sun was shining.

"I thought today went really well," head coach Mike MacIntyre said. "I was excited, there was snow all over the ground, it was cold. We went outside and they did a really good job handling all of the elements."

Unlike years past, the Buffs did not end their spring session with the public Spring Showcase. They have two more practices this week, with each a "50-50" day — tackling allowed a maximum of 50 percent of the practice.

"We're still moving a few guys around, trying to say, 'OK, what's he look like at this spot,'" MacIntyre said. "We did that today with a few guys and it looked good. I want to see us keep getting better. They competed well out there today. Keep improving on everything."

The Buffs will practice again Wednesday and Friday, with Friday's workout — the last of the spring — expected to include some significant scrimmage work before the Buffs head out for spring break.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu