CSU’s Oumar Diomande Could Pose Big Problems For Pokes

LARAMIE -- No stars. Few offers.

That's how Oumar Diomande's college career began. Jim Mora eventually took a chance on the skinny linebacker from the Bronx and it's paid off in a big way.

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Now tipping the scales at more than 230, the redshirt junior is coming off a 116-tackle performance last fall, which was second most on the UConn roster. He no longer calls Storrs home. He now resides in Fort Collins, following Mora, who last winter was named the head coach at Colorado State.

That's not great news for the Rams' Week-1 opponent.

"I think he's a really good player and I think he had a really good season at UConn a year ago," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said on Monday. "He's an outstanding linebacker."

CSU featured one of those last year, too.

Owen Long led the nation in stops, tallying 151 in 2015. Nearly 60 of those tackles were of the solo variety. Ninety-three were assisted. Now at Arizona State, the California product was arguably the lone bright spot for the Rams in last season's 28-0 blanking in Laramie. He registered a team-high 10 tackles, including one stop in the backfield.

Sawvel said he wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Diomande picks up right where Long left off in Tyson Summer's defensive scheme.

"My guess and expectation would be he'll plug into that position," he said, referring to the middle of the Rams' defense. "My guess and expectation will be he'll be a really really productive player and a really difficult player for us to deal with."

Diomande wasn't just a tackling machine, though he did reach double figures in that category five times last season, he was also a menace in the Huskies' pass rush efforts. He finished the year with five sacks, second most on the roster, and added 21 pressures, including 13 hurries.

He missed just 11 tackles on 378 defensive snaps, too.

"He's a heck of a player," Wyoming running back Samuel "Tote" Harris said. "Just looking at film and everything from him, he's definitely a guy that you've got to know where he's at on the field. Everyone in the (running back) room, we can make people miss. When we make him miss, I feel like it's definitely a shot to get it to the house."

If only it were that simple.

Gary Harrell, Harris' position coach, called Diomande an all-around player, adding he "jumps" off the tape. Though he is confident in his entire backfield, "Coach Flea" said he respects what CSU's MIKE brings to the table.

"He's shown he's a good football player," Harrell said. "He's shown things he can do in the run game. He's able to drop in the passing game and he's able to come in and put some pressure when they do blitz him."

How can the Cowboys neutralize Diomande?

Harrell isn't giving away the game plan, but let's just say they have a "spotlight" on No. 2. Christian Taylor echoed those sentiments, adding Diomande will likely be the focal point of CSU's defense.

"He's a really good player," Wyoming's first-year offensive coordinator said, throwing in a few "yeps" when asked if quarterback Tyler Hughes will be pointing him out ahead of each snap in Fort Collins.

The Cowboys and Rams are slated to kickoff at 4 p.m. Saturday inside Canvas Stadium. The game will be televised on USA Network.

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