| The Sykes file |
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College: Colorado
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Position: Linebacker
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Height: 6-3
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Weight: 230
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Year: Junior
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1999 stats:
Tackles - 134
Tackles for loss - 12
Sacks - 3
Interceptions - 1
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The scoop: Is being touted as a Butkus candidate while leading a solid group of linebackers.
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It's not known as Linebacker U., but Colorado produced outstanding players at the position in the 1990s, including Butkus Award winners Alfred Williams and Matt Russell, plus NFL stars Ted Johnson, Chad Brown and Greg Biekert.
Junior Jashon Sykes is the Buffs' next great linebacker. The man who should know says he could be the best of all.
"He's got as much ability as anyone I've seen at Colorado," says Brian Cabral, CU's full-time linebackers coach since 1989.
The 6-3, 230-pound Sykes became the focal point of the defense Gary Barnett brought to Colorado. He plays the "hawk" inside linebacker position, designed to let him use his speed and make a lot of tackles.
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| Jashon Sykes can make opposing teams pay the price.(Provided to SportsLine) | |
His 134 total tackles (82 solos) was second in the Big 12 last year, and he finished with 26 more than any other Buff.
"My goal was to get over 100," said Sykes, who had 52 tackles as a true freshman in 1998. "When I got over 100, I tried to get 150.
"This year I'm going for the record (183, set by Ray Cone in 1982). I need to get some interceptions, and take some more fumbles. Hopefully that will put me No. 1 among Butkus contenders."
He starts off the season as a SportsLine.com/Lindy's preseason All-American, but Skyes said he's not a household name nationally. "I know I have to prove myself. I proved myself Big 12-wise, but not to the nation."
Sykes compiled his 134 tackles last season despite playing from the second game on with a sore right shoulder. "It bothered me all the time, but I didn't want to sit out the season," he said.
Turned out, it was serious enough to require arthroscopic surgery halfway through spring ball to repair torn cartilage.
But he is expected to be back at full strength, and with a year's experience, plus most of the front seven returning, CU's tackles record could be in jeopardy.
Especially if Sykes shows improvement in two specific areas.
"He's got to improve in pass defense," Cabral said. "And he needs to be more physical at the point of attack if a blocker and the ball are coming right at him.
"You can't run away from him, so if he does those two things, he'll be a very complete player."
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