47  Tyler Gottschalk
	Class: Senior Hometown: Hays, Kan. High School: Thomas More Prep Height / Weight: 6-4 / 236 Position: LB

UW This Season: Tyler Gottschalk will be one of the top returning linebackers in the Mountain West Conference in 2003. He ranked second in the MWC in tackles as a junior, averaging 10.42 tackles per game. Gottschalk is also about to enter a very exclusive club at UW. He enters this season with 229 tackles, with 19 more he will move into 10th on the Wyoming Career Tackle list. He will make a slight position change in 2003, moving to strongside linebacker from the weakside position he played a year ago.

2002: Gottschalk came into his own in the 2002 season. He earned Honorable Mention All-MWC honors. After gaining a great deal of playing experience as a backup the previous two seasons, he made the most of his opportunity to move into a starting role in 2002. Gottschalk led the Cowboys in tackles with 125. He also led UW in tackles for loss (six for 26 yards) and forced fumbles (three). In the Mountain West Conference, he ranked second in total tackles and tied for third in forced fumbles. Among conference linebackers, he was the leading tackler in 2002.

2001: Gottschalk played in all 11 games for the Cowboys in 2001. He ranked 14th on the team in tackles with 29. He served as the backup to senior weakside linebacker Leo Caires, who led the Pokes in tackles and earned Second Team All-Conference honors.

2000: Gottschalk was thrown into the fire as a true freshman because of injuries to other linebackers, and he very much benefitted from the experience. A tall backer with outstanding range, he does a good job of pass coverage as well as stuffing the run. Ideally, he would have redshirted, but injuries, especially early, caused the Cowboys to scramble. Came in and did a great job for the team finishing fourth on the Cowboy defensive tackle chart with 75 total tackles, 38 solo tackles and 37 assists. Also added five tackles for losses for a minus eight yards. Started two games for the Cowboys at middle linebacker, at New Mexico and at home against San Diego State. High School: A football, basketball and baseball standout at Thomas More Prep High School in Hays, Kan. A four-year letterman in football and earned three each in hoops and baseball. Was All-State in all three sports. Was also recruited by Kansas and Kansas State for football, Wichita State and Minnesota for baseball.

Personal: Born on Nov. 2, 1981, in Hays, Kan. One of three children of Krista and Chris Gottschalk. Majoring in social sciences.