Finally Cleared, Gatkuoth Ready for Action

The news wasn't what he wanted to hear. Nor was it expected.

A Canadian native who prepped for a year in Atlanta, Ga., Nuer Gatkuoth learned not all of his transcripts had transferred, meaning he wasn't going to be able to play his first season at Colorado State. Considering the Rams' new staff was looking at retooling a defensive line, the end felt he was missing out on a chance.

He made sure that was all he missed.

"You couldn't be more professional in how he handled it. He handled it like a pro, from film study, watching areas he needed to improve, watching other guys in the room and learning from them, he was actually taking mental reps even though he wasn't playing," CSU defensive line coach Buddha Williams said. "He did a great job of working really hard in the film room and knowing what he needed to do from playbook standpoint. In the film room, that's where he separated himself, learning how guys can make more plays, do their job better. He could kinda be a coach on the sideline."

Make no mistake, being on the sideline was crushing for Gatkuoth. At first, it hit him hard emotionally, feeling he was going to miss out. He was heartbroken to find he had no chance as a true freshman to see the field, especially knowing the philosophy had changed. Instead of relying heavily on the starting four to take the brunt of the snaps, Williams was going to employ a heavy rotation, a system which allowed a multitude of young players to earn their stripes and gain experience.

Guys who had watched the year before – Cam Bariteau, Grady Kelly, James Mitchell, Tyler Quinn and Mukendi Wa-Kalonji – were getting regular playing time, making an impact and learning through trial and error about the speed of the game and how to get better on the field.

But when you can't play, what's a guy to do?

Get to work.

"Once I found out I couldn't play, I really couldn't do anything about it, so the best thing you can do is work as hard as possible on yourself, improve your game every single day," Gatkuoth said. "Every day I woke up, I thought, even though I couldn't play, I can still improve my game for next year so I can be as ready as I possibly could."

Which is why Williams entered spring camp with high hopes for the player who was finally cleared. Every opportunity Gatkuoth had the season before, he ran with the prospect. In the weight room he changed his body, adding 25 pounds of muscle. A byproduct was he became faster on the field. He could still do individual drills at practice, and he went like a man unleashed in those sessions.

But the meeting room was where he felt he gained his biggest advantage.

"I learned from the older guys patience. Being patient and allowing yourself to put everything into the game you love, even if you don't get anything in return right now," he said. "Knowing in the future you can take your talent further.

"I was studying like I was going to play last year. Coming into this year, I know the defense already. I worked as hard as the guys who could play last year. I feel I'm at their level right now. The weight room was great. Not being able to play, even though it was heartbreaking, having a whole year to work on my body, I think it was the best year for me."

Williams was taking note of the work the youngster was putting in, but he wasn't alone.

His teammates learned a lot about him by the way he pushed aside the disappointment and participated in every activity as if he could make an impact play on Saturday. Without question, they're ready to see what he can add to the defensive line mix this season and beyond.

He may not have been on the field, but he's unquestionably part of the plan.

"He's a new guy, he couldn't play but he didn't have a bad attitude. He was always one of the first ones in and probably one of the last ones to leave every single day," Bariteau said. "He was getting in extra work and getting his body right. Somebody who can't play and they're still doing that, not having a bad attitude, getting ready for the next season and being consistent, that's really impressive.

"He's honestly stayed consistent. He's doing the same thing. He's getting extra work in the weight room, doing everything he needs to do. Honestly, he seems like an experienced guy, and he hasn't even played yet."

He expects to play this year, and so does Williams. This spring is a time for him to work out some more kinks and get even more reps to put them into practice.

There are areas which he still needs to polish, because while the weight room and meetings can prepare a person mentally and physically, nothing beats real game experience.

"By him preparing the way he did last year, it allows him to hit the ground running in spring ball. Froom a technique standpoint, from a mentality standpoint he hit the ground running," Williams said. "You'd think he played every game last year from the way he prepared this season. He needs to learn to finish some things, like the top of his rush, being more clean at the top of it and allowing him to be able to create more sacks and more quarterback pressures. In the running game too, you need to see those reps live. I think the more he sees the more he'll get better at it all."

They all figured now that he was going to be able to earn playing time it would light him up even more, and they were correct. Gatkuoth's work ethic is still intact, but it's even more focused on an end game which presents itself as very real. It's not longer a year away, just a few months.

The only aspect of him which has changed has been his mood.

"I can't put into words how excited I am to play. I was itching for a whole year, and I can finally play," he said. "I'm going harder in the weight room, harder on the field. I'm just ready to go. Coach always says you never know how many plays you'll get, so every play go your hardest. Just thinking that, my mindset is every play go your hardest.

"It was fun last year, but now, being in your mind you can finally play, it's like, heck yes. I know the internal motivation, play or not, I'm going to put in as much work as I possibly can. This year, knowing I can pay, it's the cherry on top of the cake."

Which is news the defensive line room all considers good for the cause.

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