One Broncos player has a special connection with his coordinator
Sep 9, 2022, 1:13 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm
Tyrie Cleveland is yet to make big impact in an NFL game but he has one big believer on the Denver Broncos coaching staff.
Cleveland, a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft, has only made six catches and had several chances at kick returns. But this season, the former Florida Gator is hoping for more action, making the 53-man roster out of training camp. Before he went to Gainesville, Cleveland was at Westfield High School in Houston, where Justin Outten was the assistant head coach.
Yes, the same Outten, who is now the offensive coordinator of the Broncos. Outten came over from Green Bay with Nathaniel Hackett. Outten, like Cleveland, has been working his way up football’s ranks, with each now reuniting in Denver.
“Really proud of him, just kind of seeing him come up through the ranks. He came in as a Sophomore at Westfield High School, and there was a lot of development that had to happen, especially at that age. And just understanding how to balance time and grades and all the other stuff that happens outside the white lines, and he’s really grown up into a great man, not just a ballplayer but a man,” Outten said. “His confidence level has skyrocketed since I saw him last before I got this job. He didn’t used to look you in the eyes.”
Outten spent eight seasons coaching at Westfield High School in Houston, where Cleveland climbed to one of the top prospects in the country. In college, Cleveland totaled 1,271 yards and eight touchdowns in his four seasons at Florida.
This summer, he looked great in camp but suffered an odd throat injury that limited his action.
“He didn’t really talk, so I got a lot more confidence, and I’m very proud of him because of what we saw on video coming in just the inconsistencies and how he’s really grown, and a lot aspects understanding where he fits is has gotten a lot better,” Outten said. “He’s done a great job of running full speed, and special teams is very valuable situation for him, but he’s also growing on the offensive side.”
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