Al’Darius Thompson (left) and Andre Sexton (middle) chase down Dez Bryant (right) in the Spring Game. Sexton was fourth on the team with 69 tackles as a safety last year and is switching to star linebacker this season.
On a defense with many new faces, one familiar face has found himself in a new role.
Junior Andre Sexton is adjusting to playing at the star linebacker position after playing last season as a starting safety.
Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman created the star linebacker position last season as a linebacker/safety hybrid. Donovon Woods played the spot last year. With each practice, Sexton has become more comfortable at his new position.
“I think I’m coming along pretty well right now,” Sexton said. “It’s not so much playing in the open field like it is at safety, but right now I’m fighting off linemen and playing closer to the line of scrimmage, trying to get off blocks and make plays.
“Just that part I’m trying to concentrate on and get better at.”
Playing closer to the line of scrimmage, Sexton has had to build up more muscle in order to better shed blocks, but did not want to gain too much weight.
“I probably put on 5 or 7 pounds of muscle,” Sexton said. “But I’m still trying to maintain my speed because in the end, if you’re able to move faster, it’s better than being big and slow.”
Injuries forced Sexton to play some snaps at linebacker last season. His previous experience, along with his strong practices, have Beckman convinced Sexton is the right man for the job.
“He played some of it last year, so he’s got some comfortability with it,” Beckman said. “I see him getting better and better each and every day because he’s getting comfortable with it.”
Sexton’s strong transition to the linebacker spot has not just been noticed by his coaches. His defensive teammates have also seen his smooth transition to his new spot on the field.
“We told him when he was a safety, he wasn’t but a crime away from being a linebacker,” senior cornerback Jacob Lacey said. “He stepped in and filled in the spot good because he was a hard-hitting safety, so he doesn’t mind playing physical.”
Sexton adds a dimension of speed and athleticism to the star linebacker spot as well as his hard-hitting ability. Not only does he offer his physical talents, but he is also a leader of the defense.
In practice, Beckman continues to push Sexton to be leader and his teammates are beginning to see it pay off.
“He is definitely a leader,” Lacey said. “We’ve got a little joke ’cause every time we go down to the weight room and we’re about to run our two laps, he cannot stand to be second. So I definitely think he’s a big-time leader on our defense, a very vocal and energetic kid.”
Sexton continues to push himself in practice, also helping out his teammates.
“I try to lead by example,” Sexton said. “I’m trying to help some of the young guys see what’s the right way to do things. I just try to constantly go out there and work hard, and when people fall down I try and lift them up.”
Loading ...
All Articles
Great article! Lively verbage exchange.