|
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
Stuckey leading the way on Kansas defense By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGH LAWRENCE | Take a look at Darrell Stuckey’s 10-year plan. “Ten years from now,” said Stuckey, a Kansas sophomore safety, “I want to look back and see my name up there on the (Memorial Stadium) Ring of Honor.” Stuckey doesn’t spend all of his time thinking a decade ahead. He also has a one-year plan. “Next year,” Stuckey said, “it is my goal to be a team captain.” A sophomore making such statements would normally come off as bold. But for some reason, Stuckey’s words lack precocity. He clearly believes he would make a great captain as soon as next fall. Maybe that’s because he already acts like one. “He’s the quarterback of the secondary,” said true freshman cornerback Chris Harris. “We count on Stuckey for a lot of things. Mainly, the whole game, he keeps us focused in the secondary. He keeps everybody aware.” Stuckey already has a leadership pedigree. Last summer, he was chosen as KU’s representative to the NCAA’s National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. Stuckey was one of about 325 kids from schools around the country who attended the convention, which was designed to share ideas about leadership to take back to their campuses. After five days of seminars and classes, Stuckey sounds as if he could write a book on the subject. He says there are different types of leaders and that he is what’s called an “I.” “I’m very energetic, very social and very knowledgeable,” said Stuckey, a graduate of Washington High School. “I get along with other people, and I’m very hyper.” Lately, Stuckey has been feeling extra hyper on the field for the Jayhawks. That’s because he’s finally 100-percent healthy after playing with a lingering lower-leg injury for the second half of last season. “To be at full health, it feels amazing,” Stuckey said. “It almost feels like I’m moving too fast. I get myself out of position and make a play more difficult than what it should have been.” Stuckey said last Saturday’s interception against Toledo was one of those moments. But luckily for KU, he had the late-recovery speed and acceleration to get back and pick off the pass, saving KU from giving up a big play. Last season, with Stuckey dragging one leg behind him, that play likely goes for a big gainer. There’s no question that a healthy Stuckey is one of the main reasons KU’s pass defense has shown marked improvement from last year. “It was so nice to come to two-a-days and see him not limping,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “That was really discouraging for him and for everybody. The kid was playing his heart out last year and didn’t have full range of motion. He got beat a few times over the top when a healthy Darrell Stuckey wouldn’t have let that happen.” When Stuckey injured the leg before last season began, he said he considered taking a medical redshirt. But, Stuckey said, “I don’t think I could have taken the torment of being on the sideline.” The time Stuckey spent on the field last year, while it wasn’t easy, helped him to be more comfortable this year. It also helped to establish Stuckey, then just a redshirt freshman, as a potential team leader. “You’ll never question his ability to play hard,” KU quarterback Todd Reesing said. “Darrell’s one of the faster guys on the team, and you could see he wasn’t 100 percent.” Said Stuckey, “It shows sacrifice, the willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team.” Those are things Stuckey knows he’ll have to show his teammates if he wants to be captain by next year. “Your teammates see you as their leader and respect you as a person,” Stuckey said. “They know that you have their best interests in mind.” To reach J. Brady McCollough, sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4363 or send e-mail to jmccollough@kcstar.com |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
J. Brady McCollough - jbrady@coveringsports.com (email) - 816-868-2621 (cell) |
