Ty Gregorak Now Giving Hits Instead Of Taking Them Ex-Eagle Does Well As Linebacker For Colorado

The ante on Ty Gregorak’s high stakes football career has gone up.

A year ago he was the most actively recruited player in West Valley history, a four-year starter and prep All-America who led the Eagles in tackles against Frontier League high school opposition.

Following a year facing some of the nation’s best collegiate talent at the University of Colorado, the freshman middle linebacker is being touted as a player to watch.

The Dec. 8 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine listed him first among five true freshmen players with impact potential in 1998.

Ivan Maisel, in his “Inside College Football” notebook, wrote that while “the Buffaloes’ defense had a disappointing season, Gregorak is a foundation to build on. A smart, aggressive linebacker, Gregorak has NFL written all over him.”

Just home for the holidays, his arm in a sling following shoulder surgery, Gregorak recalled reading the article in his college dormitory room.

“I went, ‘oh my gosh.’ The next thing I know, everyone on the entire floor is in there going nuts,” he said. “I was in total shock.”

He admitted it means he has more to live up to next year. But that’s nothing new for the 6-foot-3 245-pounder who has always been in the limelight, even if thrust into it sooner than he had anticipated, in the college scene.

It happened against current No. 1-ranked Michigan following injury to senior starter Mike Phillips in the second game of the season. Gregorak responded with seven tackles.

“I think coaches were pretty impressed because Michigan is a strong running team and they were looking for a run stopper,” said Gregorak. “That’s when my playing time really jumped.”

Gregorak started the final four games of the season and finished with 37 tackles, including 12 solo and assisted combined, in Colorado’s near-upset of No. 2 Nebraska.

His first year as a Buffalo was enlightening, as well as gratifying.

Unlike his high school experience, all the players were bigger and faster.

“When I was a quarterback at WV I was bigger than the linemen,” Gregorak said. “I’m not bigger than everyone else now.”

He found himself up against 330-pound fellows who forced Gregorak to rely on technique rather than brute strength.

“The biggest thing I have to work on is getting off blocks quicker,” he said. “It takes awhile to get the hang of it against a 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman.”

The experiences of Gregorak’s first collegiate season were like none other, he said.

It was everything he had dreamed about and more, from the travel to storied places like Ann Arbor, Mich., to the nationally ranked teams and players he faced, like bullish runner Ricky Williams from Texas.

“I hope he goes in the draft,” said Gregorak. “He wasn’t a lot of fun to hit.”

Gregorak called defensive plays from his middle linebacker position. His primary responsiblity was stopping ball carriers between the tackles.

The one negative during the year was a disappointing 5-6 record, after the Buffaloes had years as a nationally ranked team.

“I was always getting asked by reporters if I jinxed them,” laughed Gregorak, who never played on a winning team at WV. “Obviously we were disappointed we didn’t go to a bowl, but I don’t think it will happen again as long as I’m there.”

Last week’s surgery, in which five screws were inserted into the shoulder, was necessitated by an injury that came during two-a-days at the beginning of the season.

Gregorak hit a player during an afternoon shed drill. When he ripped through with his left arm as instructed, it went totally numb. He had torn cartilege. The muscle was all that kept it from dislocating. Still, Gregorak played the entire season.

“I didn’t tell anyone,” he said. “It was pretty stupid, but I had to do it because I wanted to play so bad.”

Play he did. Gregorak’s goals are to one day win the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and to eventually play in the National Football League as Sports Illustrated has suggested.

“That encourages me because it is something I definitely want to do,” said Gregorak. “But it scares me because if people are talking about it, I’ve got to live up to it.”

Gregorak has talent and passion for the game, tempered by a fear of failure. Sounds like the ingredients for future success.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo