BOULDER — Considering all that Colorado’s Addison Gillam has gone through this season, it could be said he’s a mere shell of himself.
After having battled a virus for more than two weeks, the sophomore inside linebacker played one of football’s most physical positions at 205 pounds a week ago in the Buffaloes’ loss at Arizona. He began the season at 225 pounds.
“It was good to be back in there,” said Gillam, who missed the previous game, against Washington, because of the flu. “I felt like I was back to making reads fast. The game was slowing down. I didn’t feel out of place.
“But when I hit somebody, I wasn’t winning as many of the battles. The power wasn’t there. I need to get that weight back.”
The 6-foot-3 Gillam began the season ready to build upon a spectacular first season when he earned a spot on several national all-freshman teams. He became the first freshman in CU history to lead the Buffs in tackles (119).
This season has been a totally different story. The injury bug hit like a sledgehammer, beginning in August camp with an elbow problem, which was followed by a concussion. Next came a shoulder injury, and then another concussion. Gillam had finally overcome those issues when, on the night before the Oct. 25 game against UCLA, he became ill.
“When I woke up, I couldn’t stop throwing up,” Gillam recalled.
CU medical personnel spent hours before the game replenishing his lost fluids through an IV. Gillam was cleared to play in what would become a double-overtime loss. But he was able to function only for a few snaps before being escorted to the locker room.
The following week, what initially felt like a bad cold turned into bronchitis.
“It just went all downhill from there,” he said.
Gillam sat out the Nov. 1 home game against Washington but began to regain some strength and stamina a few days later. He was in on about half the Buffs’ defensive snaps against Arizona on Nov. 8.
“It’s been really tough to see that,” CU defensive coordinator Kent Baer said of Gillam’s struggles. “You’re really close to your players. You’re with them all the time. It’s especially tough with Addison, considering the year he had last year. I could see how it wears on him, tears at him.”
An open date this weekend enabled Gillam to regain some power and start adding back some weight.
Colorado (2-8, 0-7 Pac-12) plays Saturday at No. 3 Oregon. The Buffs will need Gillam’s instincts and quickness against the explosive Ducks and quarterback Marcus Mariota, the Heisman Trophy favorite.
“We like playing in big games,” Gillam said. “We were watching our film from last week, and we would have given (Mariota) a chance to make some big plays. We have to focus on that.”
Not being able to play hasn’t been a complete waste. Gillam said he has learned being able to view the game from the sideline.
“One of the biggest things I picked up is seeing that I need to be more of a vocal leader,” he said. “I’ve been working at that. I’ve been trying to keep guys positive on the sideline.”
CU coach Mike MacIntyre said Gillam is returning to his old form.
“Addison has flown around in practice better (lately),” MacIntyre said last week. “He just seems like he’s got his breathing and everything back under control. So I expect him to finish the last two games off strong.”
As for next season, Gillam said he wants to play at 230 pounds.
Cheeseburgers and pasta plates beware.
Tom Kensler: tkensler@denverpost.com or
Addison Gillam
A look at gillam’s injury-plagued sophomore season, comparing his statistics to his freshman season. he has played in nine of 10 games.
2013 Category 2014
119 Tackles 60
78 Unassisted 43
10 Tackles for loss 6 1/2
3 Sacks 2 1/2
15 Third down stops 2
6 Passes broken up 2
1 Interceptions 0
Source: CU sports information
