In the Big 12, Chidozie Nwankwo is already a tried-and-true talent. Pro Football Focus ranked the 5-foot-11, 290-pound defensive tackle as one of Houston’s top five players in 2023, the Cougars’ inaugural league season.In addition, during his first three seasons in the American Conference at Houston, he played more over 300 defensive snaps every season.

Nwankwo made the decision to collaborate with Colorado, one of the newest members of the Big 12, and leave his hometown for his last year of eligibility.

At CU’s Fall Sports Media Day, Nwankwo told BuffStampede.com, “The fact that I have already played most of the teams in the Big 12 and now we have some of the best teams in the Pac-12 joining the conference, it is going to be fun.” “There is a lot of talent in this conference.”

Nwankwo visited Missouri on official business after logging onto the transfer portal in December, and he considered competing in the SEC. Brian Early, his previous defensive line coach, relocated to Columbia this offseason from Houston.

“Just seeing the standard they are setting here at Colorado is why I decided to come here,” Nwankwo stated. As soon as I realized Coach Prime wanted me here, I wanted to be a part of it. I think this staff can help me prepare for league play.”

Nwankwo was thrilled with Boulder’s off-season additions to the defensive line staff since he hopes to play in the NFL. At the time of his Buffaloes commitment, neither graduate assistant Warren Sapp nor defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis were in Boulder.

“I definitely want to maximize the opportunity getting to learn from Coach Lewis, who played in the NFL and was just a defensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks, and Coach Sapp,” he stated. “Having coaches like them who can show me the path and how they do things in the NFL is truly a blessing.” In essence, it is preparing me.

“Coach Sapp is an individual. I will not tell lies. However, he is quite intelligent and skilled at communicating with you about it. You wouldn’t believe that things are indeed so easy until he clarifies them for you.”

Under Colorado’s strategy, Nwankwo is given a little more freedom to use his flexibility. He anticipates playing the 3-, 2-, and 1-techniques for a while.

“We all have to be able to transition and play different positions, and know everybody’s role,” he stated. “Even if I had to go to defensive end, I know that role.”

Nwankwo, dubbed the “Block Bully” by his father Corey, is one of eight siblings and three sisters in a huge family that also includes Buffs rookie Chijioke Nwankwo. His young daughter, who spent last week visiting in Boulder, is his source of motivation.

“All I want to do is make her proud,” he declared. “My family means the world to me. I would not be here now if it weren’t for my family.”