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If you watched Thursday nights Redskins-Cowboys game, you probably heard NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth mention the name Chidobe Awuzie. If you’re a fan of the Colorado Buffaloes, you know the name all too well. Hampered by a nagging hamstring injury since week two, the Cowboys rookie cornerback made his first NFL start and did not disappoint. Awuzie finished with just three total tackles and one ‘official’ pass breakup, but made a number of plays which caused quite a stir on twitter.
David Helman, Staff writer for DallasCowboys.com
Gotta be, easily, the best night of the year for this rookie class, too. Switzer with a punt return to break the game open. Taco with a sack. Strong debut at CB for Chido Awuzie. Solid stuff.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) December 1, 2017
Mike Fisher, Cowboys insider 105.3 The Fan
The #Cowboys Draft is AMAZING tonight. Taco. Awuzie. Switzer. :)
— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) December 1, 2017
Pro Football Focus
"Cheeto" has been ⬇️ in the first half! pic.twitter.com/HcD6YC2aOb
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 1, 2017
Derek Eagleton, Sr. Director of Media & Programming, Dallas Cowboys
Chido Awuzie has 3 pass break ups in the first half of his first game as a starting CB. To show how remarkable that is, Scandrick and Lewis lead the team with 7 for the season.
— Derek Eagleton (@derekeagleton) December 1, 2017
Marcus Mosher, Featured Columnist @BleacherReport covering the Dallas Cowboys
Doesn't take much to know that Chidobe Awuzie is going to be a good player no matter what position he ends up playing.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 1, 2017
Jonah Tuls, NFL Draft analyst for @NDTScoutingLLC
EXCELLENT coverage by Chidobe Awuzie.
— Jonah Tuls (@JonahTulsNFL) December 1, 2017
Dallas’ second round selection even received some love from former Cowboys great Drew Pearson, the man who announced (link to video http://www.dallascowboys.com/video/2017/04/29/drew-pearson-roasts-eagles-dallas-picks-awuzie ) Awuzie’s pick in this past April’s NFL Draft.
That’s how you do it @ChidobeAwuzie https://t.co/pmhAsNzHcu
— Drew Pearson (@88DrewPearson) December 1, 2017
Last season at Colorado, Awuzie was part of Buffaloes pass defense that ranked second in the Pac-12 and 20th nationally allowing 193.6 yards per game. In four years at Colorado (2013-’16), Awuzie tallied 273 total tackles – 226 of which were solo - and set CU records for most sacks (9) and tackles for loss (26) by a defensive back. The San Jose, Calif. native also finished his career with three interceptions and 37 passes deflected.