Tchangam, Buffs OLBs Learning, Growing Under New CU Staff

BOULDER — Colorado senior outside linebacker Alex Tchangam has played exactly three years of organized football.

To put that into perspective, figure this: many if not the majority of Tchangam's Buff teammates had their first three years of football under their belts before they turned 10 years old.

But Tchangam is a quick study — and if he can get his football instincts and abilities to match his physical tools, he could become a significant contributor for the Buffs next fall. It is why every practice, every film study session — every repetition — is invaluable when it comes to his development.

"I'm getting there," Tchangam said this week after the Buffs' eighth spring practice. "I'm learning, every day. It's been kind of baby steps with me for a while, but now as we're doing more in spring, the expectations are growing and growing."

Tchangam attended high school in Chattahooche, Ga., and played soccer and pickup basketball growing up. But it wasn't until a friend of his decided to attend De Anza Community College in California and play basketball that Tchangam decided to give football a try. He called the coach at De Anza and generated enough interest to get a tryout.

When he got there, coaches were impressed with his physical tools and Tchangam immediately earned some playing time. By the time he had finished at De Anza, he had recorded 16 sacks in 15 games, including 12.5 sacks and 69 tackles as a sophomore.

That was enough to attract the attention of Division I coaches, and when Colorado offered, he accepted, becoming a member of CU's 2018 recruiting class.

Last year, Tchangam played sparingly for the Buffs, but still finished with eight tackles in 90 defensive snaps, including one sack and three third-down stops.

Now, under new defensive coordinator Tyson Summers and outside linebackers coach Brian Michalowski, he is getting some occasional snaps with the No. 1 defense, particularly in pass rush situations. He has good speed and excellent strength to go with his 6-foot-3, 250-pound body, and he is learning and improving his technique every day.

"Alex is doing a great job for him being so new to football," Michalowski said. "He doesn't have a lot of experience but he's come a long way. He wants to be really good."

Summers does his best to ensure that defensive players get as many repetitions from their position as possible. That includes not only 11-on-11 work and defensive line drills, but also individual work on the side when special teams drills are being conducted. It means someone like Tchangam could get anywhere from 75 to 100 repetitions a day in Colorado's new defense.

For CU's outside linebackers, the work is integral to their learning CU's new defense. In the scheme, the OLBs can rush from a two-point stance on the edge, as well as drop to a three-point stance and become essentially a defensive end in a four-man front.

"I love the new staff and the intensity," Tchangam said. "They want us to be physical and I think that's a strong part of my game. But they also are really good at teaching. Coach Mike knows I don't have much experience playing football and he sits down with me and we go over film and he really tries to help me understand and become a better player. I really need it and it's been really helpful."

Tchangam has no doubt made strides even since the beginning of spring ball. He is now reacting instinctively more and more often and making plays.

"From the beginning of spring to now, I can say my instincts have gotten a lot better, understanding the game and the offense," he said. "I still have a lot to learn but I think I'm improving every day."

That, Michalowski said, is the goal of the entire OLB group that includes one regular starter from last year, Carson Wells, as well as senior Nu'umotu Falo and Jacob Callier, both of whom have plenty of experience.

"We're getting better," Michalowski said. "We focus on running to the football, setting edge, squeezing hips. We're focused on pressuring the quarterback and then getting the ball back to the offense. One big thing is we pride ourselves on being relentless. That's what Coach Tucker talks about and that's what we try to emphasize in our position group."

CU's new coaching staff has been mixing and matching players with the No. 1 and No. 2 units throughout the spring on both sides of the ball. It gives coaches a look at players in different situations and against different competition.

They can then better evaluate every player.

"You want to give everyone a fair opportunity and create a competitive culture," Michalowski said. "That's what I want in our room — help each other get better but also know how to compete and win a spot. We're mixing it up, giving guys ones and twos reps and just making sure they are as versatile as they can be."

The end goal is to have a group that has plenty of depth and one that can put pressure on the quarterback and still play well against the run.

"We're trying to build a room of interchangeable parts where everyone is learning from each other," Michalowski said. "If someone has a strength, I'm challenging the guys to look at his strength and learn from it. All our guys are working hard and they're committed to making the group the best we can as a unit."

HAIGLER HONORED: Colorado graduating senior Aaron Haigler has been named a member of the 2019 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society.

The honor goes to college football players from all divisions who maintained a cumulative 3.2 grade-point average or better throughout their college careers. A strategic communications major, Haigler started 27 games on the offensive line in his career at Colorado and is scheduled to graduate this spring.

An all-time high of of 1,643 players from a record 424 schools qualified for membership in the Society's 13th year.

Colorado is one of just eight FBS schools in the nation to have at least one honoree every year since the program's inception in 2007.

"Having a member every year since 2007 is a testimony to the Herbst Academic Center staff," said CU Athletic Director Rick George. "The NFF Hampshire Honor Society plays an important role because it's not a popularity contest subject to the vote of whoever. You meet or exceed the minimum requirements, you make the list. That's beneficial for the student-athlete on his academic resume, and it's a proud accomplishment for the school. Membership is an excellent reward for their hard work in the classroom, and people do take note of academic honors and awards."

Colorado's Hampshire Honor Society honorees have included:

2007 — Ben Carpenter, Brian Daniels

2008 — Kevin Eberhart, Byron Ellis, Dusty Sprague

2009 — George Hypolite

2010 — Jake Behrens

2011 — Nate Solder

2012 — Logan Gray, Tony Poremba, Travis Sandersfeld

2013 — Dustin Ebner, Will Pericak

2014 — Nate Bonsu

2015 — Brad Cotner, Tyler McCulloch, Darragh O'Neill, Will Oliver, Richard Yates

2016 — Jered Bell, Nelson Spruce

2017 — Ryan Severson