Colorado defensive end Yamil Talib is beginning to build a name of his own, separate from his uncle Aqib, the former Denver Broncos star. After an injury and two transfers, Talib broke through in Colorado’s overtime win over Kansas State, recording his first two sacks as a Buff and setting a career high in tackles.

By the Numbers
  • Colorado beat Kansas State, 27-24, in overtime.
  • Talib had 8 tackles and 2 sacks against Kansas State, bringing his season totals as a Buff to 17 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
  • Before Colorado, Talib played 1 game at Oklahoma State and all 12 games at Charlotte.
Yes, But

Talib’s breakout came after an early-season shoulder injury limited his ability to play freely. He said the biggest hurdle was trusting the shoulder again, and credited Colorado’s veteran defensive linemen with setting the standard for the group.

State of Play
  • Talib has moved from walk-on at Oklahoma State to a contributor at Charlotte and now Colorado.
  • He says film study, a lesson from his uncle, helps him anticipate opponents’ formations and plays.
  • Colorado is preparing to face Arizona State, which has an unsettled quarterback situation.
What's Next

Talib expects Arizona State to lean on the run regardless of who starts at quarterback. He says Colorado’s priority will be stopping the run early and forcing third-and-long situations.

Bottom Line

Talib’s path has been shaped by transfers, injury and a famous last name, but his performance against Kansas State gave him a breakthrough of his own. His next opportunity is to help Colorado’s defensive front carry that momentum forward.