UF's McCaslin catching on at LB
Posted: Wed March 24, 1999 at 4:53 p.m. EST
Independent Florida Alligator (U. Florida)
GAINESVILLE, Florida (U-WIRE) -- The normal monotonous tone of
question answering suddenly changed in University of Florida's
Eugene McCaslin's voice when the thought of contact entered his
mind.
The running back turned safety turned linebacker never backed
down from an oncoming defender the last three years while on the
offensive side.
Now, as McCaslin learns to adjust to a completely different
style of play, the similarities have given the senior a chance
at stardom.
"I like it (the hitting)," said McCaslin, grinning widely. "When
I had the ball I liked contact, so there's no reason for me not
to like it now."
So far, McCaslin likes playing linebacker, too. After three
years of waiting for his chance to be the guy in the UF
backfield, just when it seemed it finally had come, coach Steve
Spurrier called him into his office.
The Tampa native left starting over, with nothing but
high-school experience from which to draw.
But that's just fine with McCaslin, who rushed for 321 yards on
69 carries last season.
"Coach Spurrier kind of let me know that there was a need for
Sam (strongside) linebackers to go over there and make some
plays. Would I mind doing it?" McCaslin said. "And you know,
with me being a team player, I accepted the role and am going to
go over there and try to make some plays."
After five practices at his new position, he's done just that.
Through Monday, he had as many catches on defense as he had
during games all of last season. McCaslin already has four
interceptions.
Even Spurrier has taken notice, comparing him to a former UF
linebacker who could be a first-round NFL draft pick this year.
"He looked like he's going to be running round a little bit like
Mike (Peterson)," Spurrier said. "He's got a chance. He and Mike
Peterson are about the same size."
McCaslin is 6-feet-2 and said he weighs about 230 pounds.
Peterson was 6-feet-2 and 224 pounds while at UF.
And Peterson was successful because of his uncanny motivation
and never-say-die attitude. So far, McCaslin has shown signs he
can do that. Now he just has to learn the position.
Strongside linebackers coach Bob Sanders said McCaslin stands
around waiting too much, a usual mistake for players at a new
position. But with McCaslin's speed, when he gets his
assignments down, he could have a chance to compete for a lot of
playing time.
"Anytime you have success, success breeds success, so if we can
just build on that, if he just doesn't go stalemate on us, which
he hasn't done so far," Sanders said. "He's come in doing extra
studies and things that he needs to do to have a chance. If
he'll continue to do all of that, just like a lot of guys, he'll
have a chance."
And that is all McCaslin - who fellow linebacker Alex Brown said
is further along than he was when he started learning the
position - really wants.
"If you let yourself have a mental block, it can be kind of
tough, but I think I'm a very open-minded person, so I learn
fast," McCaslin said. "It's really not a big transition
mentally, just physically, you know giving the blow instead of
trying to avoid somebody, but it's coming along fast."
© 2000 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
|
