y Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
When Marcus McClinton began his collegiate career with the University of Kentucky football team in 2004, the Wildcats struggled to a 2-9 season, but upon his graduation, the free safety had helped build a program which now boasts three consecutive bowl victories.
Thursday afternoon, McClinton spent a couple hours working out, observing and talking with the Madisonville-North Hopkins football squad. Among McClinton's most important advice for the Maroons, who have also been steadily improving under coach Will Weaver, was to play with the right mindset.
"It begins with an attitude and a willingness to compete on every play," McClinton said. "Strive for whatever goal you have, whether it be all-state or get an interception this game or miss no tackles or do whatever coach tells me to do. Whatever goal you set, strive to accomplish that goal, but also have fun while you're doing it."
During McClinton's playing days Fort Campbell High School, Weaver directed the former Falcon as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for two seasons.
With Thursday's visit to Madisonville, McClinton, a 6-1, 210-pound defender, came not only to help Weaver, but to spend time with a man who helped shape his life.
"He's been a father figure for me, been a great friend," McClinton said. "He's always been there for me, no matter what challenges I had whether it was football or with life. I credit him for a lot of my success."
Weaver reinforced the friendly sentiment by saying McClinton has been like a son to him and has even spent Christmas with the coach's family.
Thursday afternoon, McClinton spent a couple hours working out, observing and talking with the Madisonville-North Hopkins football squad. Among McClinton's most important advice for the Maroons, who have also been steadily improving under coach Will Weaver, was to play with the right mindset.
"It begins with an attitude and a willingness to compete on every play," McClinton said. "Strive for whatever goal you have, whether it be all-state or get an interception this game or miss no tackles or do whatever coach tells me to do. Whatever goal you set, strive to accomplish that goal, but also have fun while you're doing it."
During McClinton's playing days Fort Campbell High School, Weaver directed the former Falcon as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for two seasons.
With Thursday's visit to Madisonville, McClinton, a 6-1, 210-pound defender, came not only to help Weaver, but to spend time with a man who helped shape his life.
"He's been a father figure for me, been a great friend," McClinton said. "He's always been there for me, no matter what challenges I had whether it was football or with life. I credit him for a lot of my success."
Weaver reinforced the friendly sentiment by saying McClinton has been like a son to him and has even spent Christmas with the coach's family.
"That's why you coach because when you see guys you helped go onto the next level, they really appreciate it and understand you were there to help them get through some tough times," Weaver said. "That kind of keeps you going as a coach."
Currently, McClinton, who has been projected to be taken in the sixth or seventh round of this year's NFL Draft according to the Web site www.nfldraftscout.com, said he's been fine tuning his craft and showcasing his skills for potential teams.
"It's kind of nerve-wracking if you sit and think about it, but how I avoid just sitting and thinking about it is I constantly work out and work on my skills and try to perfect the things I do best, which is backpedal coverage and be a playmaker on defense," McClinton said. "That's how I keep my mind off what's going on and keep my draft status in my prayers."
In addition to his skills on the gridiron, McClinton is known for his rap career, headlined by UK's intro song "Believe," but he said the auditions for scouts remain focused on football so far.
"It's not turning into American Idol at all, but music will be my secondary career," he said with a grin. "I'm going to continue to do both, football and music. That's what got me here so far."
During Thursday's practice, McClinton imparted some of his backpedaling technique to North senior Jesse Donahue, who signed with Antelope Valley College (Calif.).
"We were working on cover three and man coverage, just getting used to backpedaling," McClinton said. "There's a lot of backpedaling involved being a DB and if you can feel comfortable back peddling, running backwards then it's nothing to run forward and you'll be able to make lots of plays if you got a strong backpedal."
Weaver said he wanted the two to work together so Donahue could learn not just skills to take to the next level, but the dedication involved as well.
"I just wanted him to kind of show Jesse the work ethic it's going to take to be great," Weaver said. "I think it's important to get him around somebody with high character and a great work ethic to show him what it's going to be like in the future."
Although McClinton's time with the Maroon defensive back was short, Donahue left a solid impression with the pro prospect.
"He's got a good work ethic, he just needs to keep working hard and don't let anything distract him," McClinton said. "When it's football time, it's football time and everything else falls into place."
Notes
* Junior defensive back J.C. Wade earned his first collegiate offer on Wednesday with a bid from Austin Peay State University (Tenn.). Wade, at 6-1, 180 pounds, is also getting serious attention from Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Vanderbilt University (Tenn.) and Western Kentucky University, Weaver said.
Last season, Wade played a pivotal role on North's defense, which ranked fifth-best in class 6A during the regular season in scoring. Wade hauled in three interceptions in 2008.
Currently, McClinton, who has been projected to be taken in the sixth or seventh round of this year's NFL Draft according to the Web site www.nfldraftscout.com, said he's been fine tuning his craft and showcasing his skills for potential teams.
"It's kind of nerve-wracking if you sit and think about it, but how I avoid just sitting and thinking about it is I constantly work out and work on my skills and try to perfect the things I do best, which is backpedal coverage and be a playmaker on defense," McClinton said. "That's how I keep my mind off what's going on and keep my draft status in my prayers."
In addition to his skills on the gridiron, McClinton is known for his rap career, headlined by UK's intro song "Believe," but he said the auditions for scouts remain focused on football so far.
"It's not turning into American Idol at all, but music will be my secondary career," he said with a grin. "I'm going to continue to do both, football and music. That's what got me here so far."
During Thursday's practice, McClinton imparted some of his backpedaling technique to North senior Jesse Donahue, who signed with Antelope Valley College (Calif.).
"We were working on cover three and man coverage, just getting used to backpedaling," McClinton said. "There's a lot of backpedaling involved being a DB and if you can feel comfortable back peddling, running backwards then it's nothing to run forward and you'll be able to make lots of plays if you got a strong backpedal."
Weaver said he wanted the two to work together so Donahue could learn not just skills to take to the next level, but the dedication involved as well.
"I just wanted him to kind of show Jesse the work ethic it's going to take to be great," Weaver said. "I think it's important to get him around somebody with high character and a great work ethic to show him what it's going to be like in the future."
Although McClinton's time with the Maroon defensive back was short, Donahue left a solid impression with the pro prospect.
"He's got a good work ethic, he just needs to keep working hard and don't let anything distract him," McClinton said. "When it's football time, it's football time and everything else falls into place."
Notes
* Junior defensive back J.C. Wade earned his first collegiate offer on Wednesday with a bid from Austin Peay State University (Tenn.). Wade, at 6-1, 180 pounds, is also getting serious attention from Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Vanderbilt University (Tenn.) and Western Kentucky University, Weaver said.
Last season, Wade played a pivotal role on North's defense, which ranked fifth-best in class 6A during the regular season in scoring. Wade hauled in three interceptions in 2008.
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