Tyler Brayton

2002 Media Guide Bio

AT COLORADO: This Season (Sr.)-He could wind up playing either end or tackle this fall, or possibly both at times. Surprisingly, the preseason magazines took little notice of his accomplishments, but there is little doubt that he is at minimum an All-Big 12 performer. He once again won the team’s Dan Stavely Award as the most outstanding lineman following spring practice, as selected by the coaches. In the process, he became the first player in CU history to win any spring award three times, as well as only the third player to covet any team trophy on a trio of occasions (he joined past three-time Derek Singleton Award winners Mickey Pruitt and Christian Fauria). He practiced the first two weeks at his usual spot, defensive end, but was moved inside to tackle for the final two weeks and was a terror. He had 11 tackles in the three main spring scrimmages, including four sacks and two other tackles for loss. He owned the team’s third best bench press (435 pounds) in the spring conditioning tests, and was also one of 15 players in the spring to earn Victory Club status. 2001 (Jr.)-An honorable mention All-Big 12 performer as selected by the league coaches, he started all 13 games including the Fiesta Bowl at defensive end, enjoying his breakout year as he proved to be a terrific pass rusher. He led the team in quarterback sacks with four-and-a-half (for 37 yards in losses), and tied for the team lead in hurries with eight. He had 44 total tackles for the year (28 solo) in 671 snaps on scrimmage, adding four third down stops, one pass broken up and seven total tackles for loss. He also earned his way on to CU’s prestigious Victory Club by grading out with a winning performance in at least eight games. Top games came against Kansas (nine tackles, two sacks) and Kansas State (eight stops, three for losses and two sacks), but was slowed the last third of the year because of a sprained ankle, though he did not let it keep him out of the lineup. A constant standout in spring practice, he again claimed the Stavely Award for a second straight year as the most outstanding defensive lineman.

2000 (Soph.)-He played in 10 games (no starts), missing the season opener for violating team rules. He saw action for 402 snaps, getting in on 28 tackles (17 solo), six for losses including one quarterback sack. He had a career-high six tackles, all unassisted stops, at Southern Cal, and added five, with two for losses, in the win at Texas A&M. He had an outstanding spring, and won the Stavely Award for being the top D-lineman. He had seven tackles and a hurry in the two major spring scrimmages, but generally was a terror throughout drills.

1999 (Fr.-RS)-He played in all 12 games including the Insight.com Bowl (no starts) on both defense and special teams, getting in for 215 snaps from scrimmage. He posted 14 tackles (7 solo), with three in three different games, and added eight quarterback hurries, tied for third most on the team. He added a third down stop, a quarterback chase down and a pass deflection. He had two tackles and a third down stop in the bowl win over Boston College.

1998 (Fr.)-Redshirted; practiced the entire season at defensive end. The coaching staff selected him as one of three recipients of the Defensive Scout Award, for his efforts on the scout team. He was also the Scout Team Defensive Player-of-the-Week for the Texas Tech game.

HIGH SCHOOL-As a senior, he earned SuperPrep all-Far West honors, as he was ranked the No. 1 7 player coming out of the Pacific Northwest. He was also an Athlon Top Blue Chip in the West. He was first-team all-area at defensive end, and was first-team all state at tight end. He was a first-team all-Big Nine Conference performer at both defensive end and tight end, was voted the winner of his team’s Most Inspirational Award, and also was a team captain. As a senior, he had 66 tackles, with 18 for losses including 10 quarterback sacks, to go with three forced fumbles, three passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and an interception he returned for a touchdown. On offense (tight end and some fullback), he caught 15 passes for 290 yards and six touchdowns (he had two rushes for 20 yards). As a junior, he was in on 83 tackles and had five quarterback sacks. Top games his senior year included a win over Wenatchee, when he returned an interception for a touchdown and also caught a 65-yard touchdown pass. Pasco was 10-1 his senior year, winning the Big Nine Conference, and was 5-4 his junior year under coaches Steve Graff and John Morgan. He saw most of his action on the junior varsity as a sophomore, although he did suit up and play as a reserve in most of the varsity games. He also lettered twice in basketball ( center) and baseball (first baseman).

ACADEMICS-He is majoring in Spanish for the Professions at Colorado. Owned a 3. 7 grade point average (scored 1090 on the SAT, and made the honor roll every year in high school.

PERSONAL-Born Nov. 20, 1979 in Richland, Wash. Hobbies include hunting and enjoying the outdoors. Grandfather (Bobo Brayton) lettered in both football and baseball at Washington State, and was the Cougars’ long-time baseball coach (33 years).  Uncle (Fritz Brayton) played wide receiver at Washington State.