Opinion: Size won’t be an issue for Chidozie Nwankwo in the pros
- Leo Rivera IV
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Chidozie Nwankwo has terrorized offensive linemen for half a decade, yet the trait that haunted him most is out of his control.
“Undersized” has been the common critique cast above the head of the Colorado Buffaloes defensive tackle. At just 5-foot-11, 290 pounds, Nwankwo’s frame is not commonly seen in the NFL at his position. The physicality and stature of the average player is also a tremendous step up from college, raising concerns about his potential effectiveness.
Although alarming, Nwankwo was a consistent force on the line throughout his five-year college career. Nwankwo uses his low center of gravity as an advantage rather than a flaw. Making the most of his size, he played above his dimensions and made improvements every season.
At the CU NFL Showcase, Nwankwo had an impressive display of power, putting up 30 reps in the bench press. Had he been invited to the NFL Combine, it would have ranked first among defensive tackles. Moving 300-plus pound men against their will becomes easier when you have that strength, and he showed it during the season.
Nwankwo has a high football IQ, having faced a diverse list of offenses in the American Athletic and Big 12 conferences. He has seen a multitude of schemes and concepts, preparing him for the unpredictability of the professional game.
Nwankwo’s ability to adjust and react to guards' movements separates him from other linemen. His film-studying ability has grown significantly while at Colorado. In that time, he has learned to use his technique to eliminate running lanes and help his teammates.
His contribution to the defense isn't always reflected in the stat sheet, yet a career total of 126 tackles shows he gets it done. Nwankwo can play a true nose guard spot over the center and occupy double teams to free linebackers. Physical and nasty, the “Block Bully” sets the tone in the trenches.
At his height, he won’t be batting many balls or jumping off the page, but he will play his role and do it well. While sacks and flashy stats are appealing, he takes joy in the dirty work. Run stuffing is the biggest strength of his game and an area of personal pride that not many others carry.
“I describe my game as ‘Old School.’ I feel like not a lot of people have a passion to stop the run, and that’s what I do,” Nwankwo said on Thee Pregame Network. “I have a lot of passion, and I take it very seriously. You can ask guys like Warren Sapp, and I’m glad I can say that.”
In the NFL, a comparison can be made to DJ Jones of the Denver Broncos. Both are short players who use savviness and fundamentals to be effective. However, they are elite run-stoppers with high motors. With Nwankwo having time to add weight before the fall, he can work his way into a spot on a team’s depth chart.
Nwankwo has extra motivation to achieve his goals and make a career for himself. As a new father, a daughter may be the X-factor he needs moving forward.
“She's going to remember, man, she’s going to see all of this. That’s what I am most proud about,” Nwankwo said.
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