Because of injury, playing for the Wyoming Cowboys has been a long, sometimes rocky road for Alonzo Velazquez.

But through persistence, patience, a positive attitude and a passion for the game, he has hung in there, and is a key factor in Wyoming's offensive line plans for the 2021 season.

You'll have an opportunity to see big number 78 play Saturday during Wyoming's annual Spring Game in War Memorial Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Knee injuries and a most recently a shoulder injury have caused Big Zoe (6-6, 315) to miss a lot of playing time.  Because of his ability he would have been a starter for the Pokes in 2017, in 2018 and the shortened season of 2020. While he has started 23 games for the Pokes, those injuries have prevented him from playing in 16 others.  A lot of guys might have said that's enough.  Not Zoe.

"The thought of not playing, of hanging it up, was only a passing thought," he says. "I love the coaches, I love the guys and I love the game.  I want to play with these guys.  They are friends for a lifetime.  Honestly, if I could stay here six more years and play football, I would.  It's part of me, I couldn't leave it behind. I decided that as long as I could still run—even walk for that matter--I'd play for the Cowboys.  

"Football is family to me. I just couldn't let those guys down.  It's a huge part of my life."

Something else that has gotten him through all of the setbacks.  It's his attitude, It's about remaining positive.  "I'm in a good place mentally," he says. "You've got to stay positive.  You can't have a bad attitude about injuries or you'll never come back."

The spring has been important for the team, and for each Cowboy.  But for Alonzo it's been especially important. "There was rust, no doubt, and a lot of that rust was mental.  I had to get back into the pace of things, of just playing football again. I'm not saying I'm 100 percent there with my skills, but I've improved drastically.

"It's been exciting," he continues.  "This is a big spring for us. There's a new scheme with some new coaches, it's a fresh start for all of us.  We've brushed last season away.   The offense is finding a new identity.  We have worked hard at putting a polish on the little things.  Our technique and our awareness is better, awareness of defenses, awareness of what our offense is doing.  We are understanding defensive schemes better.  We are understanding coverages.  It's been a lot of fun, as well as important.

"It's amazing to see the talent and experience we have," Zoe continues.  "We are anxious to play and we want to get better. To me, spring ball has set the stage for a great fall.  We will use fall camp to be more focused at bettering our techniques"

No area of the football team has a closer bond than the offensive line.  That's due in part to the fact those big guys aren't noticed as much. As big as they are, they spend most of their time in the shadows. It's also due in part to the fact they are not supposed to stand out, they are supposed to function as one unit of five.  There's not a ton of "individual" involved in being an o-lineman, certainly not like a running back making a great cut, or a receiver making a great catch.  If one offensive lineman makes a mistake, the unit breaks down.  Offensive linemen, don't want to be noticed.

"There's a lot to that," Zoe says. "We all have to be on the same page, or a play breaks down. That's why experience is so important.  We have a lot of experience in our (meeting) room.  It's about the guy next to you.  You've got to know how he reacts, you've got to know how he thinks.  You've got to have a lot of chemistry.  I'm playing next to Big E (right guard Eric Abojei), and we have to know each other's every move.  We've worked alongside each other long enough now that we are pretty good at that.  If all five of us do our jobs correctly, we get a first down, or maybe a touchdown.  If we make a mistake the play breaks down.  We take a lot of pride in not breaking down.  

"We are a very close-knit group.  We have great chemistry, and are super connected.  We even enjoy spending our free time together.  We hang out on the weekends.  We see each other as brothers, really."

Growing up in Janesville, WI, Zoe was always one of the biggest kids.  "Well, in middle school I was big, but I was a chubby kid, I'd say.  But I kind of grew out of that by high school.  I was always the tallest guy.  I did try basketball briefly, but it was clear I was a football player."

Back in the day, offensive linemen were always the biggest guys but not necessarily the most athletic.  That, of course, has changed. Good offensive linemen are a valuable commodity. They are still the biggest, but often the strongest and possess a great deal of athleticism. They can run and they can move their feet, or they don't play. Often, there are several drafted in the NFL's first round.  

"I give a lot of credit to our strength staff," Zoe says.  "During our 10 weeks of winter conditioning we not only gained strength, but speed.  Our footwork is better so we can move our bodies better.  I don't think offensive linemen are necessarily big, slow guys anymore."

Because of all the craziness, Alonzo has not been home in over a year.  But he's heading that way following Saturday's Spring Game.  "I love my neighborhood, and all my family is there so I'm really looking forward to it.  I want my mom to see my new haircut in person too!"

Almost since he arrived in Laramie, Zoe has had shoulder-length hair.  "My mom never really liked the long hair," he laughs.  He got a "buzz cut" before spring training, his first trim in over two years.  "Honestly, I didn't get it cut because of my mom.  I got it cut because after I hurt my labrum I couldn't work with it the way I wanted." 

Did one of his brothers on the offensive line cut it for him?  "No way, I only let a professional do that," he laughs. "That's the job of a professional, so I went downtown.  My mom was shocked when she first saw it, but happy.  I'm happy my mom's happy, but It is a lot easier."

By his own admission, Velazquez is thrilled to be back contributing with his brothers.  "We have a lot of veterans who are outstanding players.  We can't wait for the season to start."

Neither can the rest of us Zoe!