AWINI LOOKING TO MAKE IMPACT
As a quarterback at Air Force, Jaleel Awini wanted to avoid contact, but now as an outside linebacker for the Buffs, he’s learning how to get more physical with opponents.
boulder» For years, Jaleel Awini did everything he could to avoid getting hit.
Now, the Colorado junior is trying to embrace the hard-hitting nature of football.
The former Air Force quarterback is in his first camp as a defensive player, hoping to make an impact as a linebacker for the Buffaloes this season.
“I am enjoying it,” said the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Awini. “I was a little sad a couple of times about moving from quarterback, but I just wanted to help the team in any way.”
Awini was Colorado’s Gatorade player of the year in 2011 at Rangeview High School after he ran for 1,078 yards and threw for 1,266, with an amazing 23-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
As a redshirt freshman at Air Force in 2013, he made three starts at quarterback. Last September, he was dismissed from the team for undisclosed reasons and transferred to CU.
Originally, Awini had hopes of playing quarterback for the Buffs, but he realized that probably wasn’t going to happen.
“We have a pretty good quarterback right now in Sefo (Liufau), so I can’t complain,” Awini said.
Now, Awini is learning about the other side of the ball as he fights for playing time at outside linebacker.
“The biggest adjustment for me right now is just playing physical, going from the least-physical position to the most-physical position,” he said. “That’s the biggest adjustment I have to work with. Other than that, I think I’m just learning a whole new side of the ball. I think it’s going well so far. I just have to keep working at it.”
A week into fall camp, CU coach Mike MacIntyre is pleased with the work Awini has put in and with his development at linebacker.
“He’s doing a really good job,” MacIntyre said. “He’s got speed and running some things down. He’s catching on quick. He’s doing good. He’s also helping us on a lot of special teams and looks really good there.”
Awini could have an unusual role on the defense this season, although it’s still unclear how much he could play. Under the direction of new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, the Buffs are expected to line up quite a bit in a 3-4 format. In that case, Awini probably wouldn’t see the field much.
Where he could help the Buffs is as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 set. The Buffs are also trying him out in nickel situations.
“They’ve got me in special type of positions, like a hybrid linebacker,” Awini said.
Awini believes he could help if either inside linebacker, Kenneth Olugbode or Addison Gillam, gets hurt, but he will most likely be used on the outside.
Regardless, Awini is pleased to be on the field.
In the spring, he was involved in an off-the-field incident that resulted in him being ticketed for third-degree assault, reckless endangerment and second-degree trespassing. Teammates Donovan Lee and Josh Tupou also were cited. Tupou is no longer on the team.
Awini said he’s putting that incident behind him, as charges were dropped. He said he’s not expecting any type of team-issued suspension and said: “I’ve been cleared by the school and cleared legally. I’m not worried.”
For now, his only worry is in getting better as a linebacker and doing all he can to help the Buffs win football games.
“I just have to keep improving every day, and I should use the same playmaking skills I had on offense on defense,” he said.