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Freshman
 
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http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060805/SPORTS0401/608050375/1002
[quote]Building blocks
At least two starting spots are filled for the Bears Justin Williamson and Derrick Byrd are two fewer Bears to worry about.
by Joe Cress
More questions than answers surround his program as Terry Allen prepares for his first season as football coach at Missouri State University.
Are the Bears better than their seventh-place pick in the Gateway Conference? Remains to be seen. Who's the starting quarterback? Check back later. Who's the kicker? Don't ask right now.
Yet, just two days into practice, Allen can already visualize a few things happening on the new turf at Plaster Sports Complex this fall.
He can see Justin Williamson clearing a path for a running back or giving his quarterback — whoever it is — time to throw. And he can see Derrick Byrd chasing down an opposing running back, or knocking the ball loose from a receiver coming over the middle.
If the Bears are to be successful in the first year of the Allen era, it will be on the backs of players like the senior duo, looking to end their college careers on a high note.
Both Williamson, an offensive tackle from Glendale High School, and Byrd, a linebacker from Kenner, La., were named to the Gateway's preseason all-conference team. At Friday's media day, Allen said it makes his job that much easier to know two key positions are already filled.
"I'm somewhat limited on what I can say about Justin, because I've only seen him practice once," Allen said about Williamson, who missed spring drills while recovering from shoulder surgery. "But anybody who gains the respect of the other coaches, you know there's something to him. ... And I know our players turn to him.
"If his ability is up to that of his personality, we've got a great one."
Allen has more first-hand knowledge of Byrd, who he named a co-captain at the end of spring practice.
"If we had 11 Derrick Byrds on defense," Allen said. "We'd be in great shape."
Williamson and Byrd come from different parts of the country and play on different sides of the ball, but they've also faced a lot of the same things at Missouri State, including position and coaching changes.
Williamson was all smiles Friday, as he was in uniform for the first time since the end of last season. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound right tackle got his left arm caught on another player against Youngstown State in the seventh game last season, tearing the labrum. He played the final three games in pain, then had surgery in late November.
His rehab forced him to miss spring drills, so he was clearly excited about Thursday's start of fall practice.
"I'm 100 percent," Williamson said of his shoulder. "It's actually stronger than it was before. For the first time in a while, I really feel healthy."
That's saying something. In addition to the shoulder, Williamson missed part of his redshirt freshman season (2003) with mono and, more severely, missed the 2004 season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee in that season's opener against Drake.
In addition to the injuries, Williamson has moved from tight end to left tackle to — at the start of last season — right tackle during his time with the Bears. That last move certainly agreed with him, as he earned second-team all-Gateway honors in 2005.
Senior Steve Kohenskey, who lines up alongside Williamson at right guard, says a healthy Williamson is a good thing for the Missouri State offense.
"The offensive line needs to come up big this year, and he's a big part of it," Kohenskey said. "We came in together, and we've been roommates and good friends on and off the field. ... He's a great guy who's fought back from a lot of injuries and never used that as an excuse."
Change has been a constant for Byrd, too, during his college career. He played one year at NAIA St. Mary (Kan.), then sat out the 2003 season here after transferring.
He was a reserve safety in 2004, before former coach Randy Ball and his staff decided the 6-1, 225-pound Byrd had sufficient size to play linebacker.
"I was nervous, man," Byrd said about the switch. "At that time I was, like, 205 pounds, but you've got to have a big heart. My dad taught me not to fear anything ... and I figured I was quick enough that if I attack I have a shot to get a hit on somebody. It worked out well."
To say the least. Byrd had a team-high 87 tackles last year, including 40 solo stops. He also forced a fumble and recovered two others.
"He's that new breed of linebacker you see now," junior linebacker Kevin Sears said. "Safety-type guys that are faster who can come up and make plays. ... He's exceptionally strong for someone his size and speed, and he'll sneak up on some guys and really give a blow and shake somebody up."
Sears said Byrd's play on the field usually speaks for itself, and calls him a leader who doesn't need to say anything to be respected.
"He's a captain now, and it's something he deserved the year before," Sears said. "He leads by example — not a lot of talking, just a lot of really good playing."
Both are expected to graduate next May, Williamson with a degree in construction management, Byrd in logistics and transportation. Williamson says he hopes to become a general contractor locally, while Byrd wants to get involved with the shipping industry back home in New Orleans.
Graduation and jobs and the rest of their lives are still months away, though. For now, it's hours of practice in the hot sun and only 11 more Saturdays to put on the maroon and white.
"It's been a long journey, but it's still hard to believe my senior year is already here," Williamson said. "My main goal is to work hard every time out, stay injury free — that would be nice — and just do my best."
At least that much Allen can count on this fall.
[/quote]
Fresh, new hardware on the way...
WEAR MAROON!!!!!
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