The defensive huddle breaks and he glances at the receiver he’s about to cover. As the offense gets set, he gets into position in front of the receiver. He watches the receiver’s eyes and studies his body motion to predict what he’ll do, while at the same time reading the quarterback with his peripheral vision. The ball is snapped and the receiver breaks out into his route. He stays with the receiver stride for stride, never taking his eyes off of him. Finally, as he sees the receivers eyes get wide he turns and looks for the ball. With a leap and an outstretched arm, he swats the pass down and robs the receiver of a catch.
Junior Jayven Tucker has been playing organized football since he was six years old. He started out playing pee wee, and then played for his middle school, until he finally ended up starting at cornerback for Legacy high school.
“It feels really good to accomplish one of my goals coming to this school,” Tucker said. “I didn’t think I was going to be a starter.”
Tucker had been placed on the second teams from middle school up to his freshman year of high school. When sophomore year came, one of the new coaches, Coach Smith, saw Tucker possessed talent and moved him up to starting cornerback on the varsity team. Tucker started the first three games, but blundered in coverage in the third and lost his starting position.
“When I went home I’m not going to lie, I cried,” Tucker said. “I felt like my career was over but I told myself that I had to work hard to get my starting position back and never slow down because I didn’t want it to happen again.”
During the summer, Tucker attended camps to improve his footwork and speed. In addition, he practiced one-on-one drills with teammate, wide receiver Rodney Whitmore. His work paid off. In the 2009 season Tucker re-earned his starting job and began to be known as a shut down corner, according to his teammates. Unfortunately, Tucker broke his wrist in the game against Timberview after going up for an interception. Tucker’s injury sidelined him for the playoffs.
“I wanted to play really bad,” Tucker said. “I kept seeing the players look over at me when the secondary wasn’t doing or when something went wrong and it made me feel like I was letting the team down. I wanted to get out there bad, but the doctor wouldn’t let me.”
Tucker went from playing on the second teams to starting varsity cornerback for Legacy. He feels that he’s become one of the leaders on the defense and enjoys the feeling of when some of the less experienced cornerbacks come to him for advice. His performance last season allowed him to achieve a selection to the first team, 8-4A All-District Football Team, an honor he cherishes.
“I felt really honored and really humbled because I really felt that I didn’t even play that well this year,” Tucker said. “I felt really good that the coaches would even recognize me for that.”
Although the spotlight is on Tucker now, he refuses to let go of the work ethic that got him where he is now. He continues to listen to his father’s advice, and says that he keeps his work out pace and intensity at an all time high. After high school, Tucker plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and play college football, preferably at Florida State. He acknowledged that it isn’t an easy task, but is willing to fight for it.
“I see other players around my size and height achieve going to Florida State so I know it’s possible,” Tucker said. “I feel like if I keep working hard and keep my mindset on my goals anything is possible.”
