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Building a better Bruce Eugene
GSU trying to keep star QB on track for '04
Nick Deriso
[email protected]
January 26, 2004
GRAMBLING - Hope springs eternal in each recruiting season. But that isn't always because of new faces in new places.
Grambling State coaches place hopes for a return to Southwestern Athletic Conference title glory squarely on the shoulders of a veteran, senior quarterback Bruce Eugene - who returned to campus this week to begin a vigorous off-season training program.
"We talk about recruiting in New Orleans, about college football," said GSU offensive coordinator Melvin Spears. "But I constantly try to refocus him on the fact that he's not like everybody else."
No, Eugene is GSU's most draftable senior this season, a quarterback with stunning numbers in two years of starting.
Eugene is the school's record-holder in passing completions, attempts, yards and total offense, and is ranked second in passing touchdowns. He is also GSU's single-season record holder in yards, completions and TDs.
With a year of eligibility left, Eugene is already ranked fifth in the SWAC for career passing yards.
But the two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the national top Division I-AA athlete on offense, must first concern himself with one other number: His weight.
"He's got to get in the proper mindset," Spears said. "It's bigger than playing quarterback at Grambling right now. His future is at stake."
He has a written list of things to eat, a schedule for aerobics and weightlifting and film study.
"The first thing scouts say is, he's got a strong arm but he's got to lose weight," Eugene said. "So, I'm coming back for some hard-nosed conditioning."
Just 17 hours away from graduating, Eugene sees his time at Grambling State drawing to a close. His coaches see a scary opportunity for their quarterback to grow soft without the structure of classes.
So, Eugene has to answer questions about what he has for breakfast and how late he eats each day. But, above all, he gets hassled about school - where also Spears insists that Eugene must finish strong.
"I'm a real stickler about his academic achievement," Spears said. "If you're going to be the best quarterback in the nation, you've got to have good grades."
Eugene is sure to get some looks from NFL scouts, if only because he's returning for a season when two of the SWAC's dominant passing teams - Southern and Jackson State - are losing conference-leading seniors under center. Only Alcorn State has a returning senior superstar at quarterback.
But a strong recruiting class will also mean that Eugene will be pushed from behind: Grambling State has received verbal commitments from Carroll High's Brandon Landers and LaMarque High's Larry Kerlegan - top quarterback prospects in Louisiana and Texas, respectively.
"I don't think Bruce is worried about any of the kids coming in," said GSU coach Doug Williams, as 28 recruits visited Grambling one recent weekend. "It should not matter to Bruce. He should be the best mentor to whoever comes in - to let them know that they should keep this job in good hands when he leaves."
Spears believes Eugene will rise to that mentoring challenge, as well.
"With the talent we're putting around him," Spears said, "he's going to light up. Right now, I think he's ready to do the things he needs to so. Certainly, he needs to lose weight to get to the next level. But he also needs consistency to succeed."
That means Eugene spends his mornings in class, and his afternoons with Spears. "Bruce is probably as close to me as any players I've been around," Spears said.
But everyone at Grambling State owns a piece of his success, Eugene said. He works closely with Spears and Williams - but also has developed a warm relationship with receivers coach Sammie White.
"He stays in the background, but he puts his two cents in," Eugene said. "Coach White is the one who keeps me calm on the sidelines. Those three have helped me get here - and I can't tell you how thankful I am."
The talk around the athletic offices has often touched on a shocking off-season snub the senior received: Despite leading Division I-AA this season in total offense, Eugene wasn't selected for the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference team. That letdown came hard on the heels of a last-second loss to Southern in the Bayou Classic that prevented Grambling State from trying for a fourth straight SWAC championship.
"There's an empty feeling inside," Eugene said. "My first three years, we won a championship. I've gotten used to being in Birmingham for championship games, and winning it."
His coaches say overcoming those setbacks will be the key to a successful season for Eugene - whatever his weight.
"Not winning some of those awards will help him focus," Spears said. "Not winning some of those conference awards - and not winning the championship will help him get there. He has to make this team better. That's what we expect of him. And he has to expect some disappointments along the way. I think he's ready."
GSU trying to keep star QB on track for '04
Nick Deriso
[email protected]
January 26, 2004
GRAMBLING - Hope springs eternal in each recruiting season. But that isn't always because of new faces in new places.
Grambling State coaches place hopes for a return to Southwestern Athletic Conference title glory squarely on the shoulders of a veteran, senior quarterback Bruce Eugene - who returned to campus this week to begin a vigorous off-season training program.
"We talk about recruiting in New Orleans, about college football," said GSU offensive coordinator Melvin Spears. "But I constantly try to refocus him on the fact that he's not like everybody else."
No, Eugene is GSU's most draftable senior this season, a quarterback with stunning numbers in two years of starting.
Eugene is the school's record-holder in passing completions, attempts, yards and total offense, and is ranked second in passing touchdowns. He is also GSU's single-season record holder in yards, completions and TDs.
With a year of eligibility left, Eugene is already ranked fifth in the SWAC for career passing yards.
But the two-time finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the national top Division I-AA athlete on offense, must first concern himself with one other number: His weight.
"He's got to get in the proper mindset," Spears said. "It's bigger than playing quarterback at Grambling right now. His future is at stake."
He has a written list of things to eat, a schedule for aerobics and weightlifting and film study.
"The first thing scouts say is, he's got a strong arm but he's got to lose weight," Eugene said. "So, I'm coming back for some hard-nosed conditioning."
Just 17 hours away from graduating, Eugene sees his time at Grambling State drawing to a close. His coaches see a scary opportunity for their quarterback to grow soft without the structure of classes.
So, Eugene has to answer questions about what he has for breakfast and how late he eats each day. But, above all, he gets hassled about school - where also Spears insists that Eugene must finish strong.
"I'm a real stickler about his academic achievement," Spears said. "If you're going to be the best quarterback in the nation, you've got to have good grades."
Eugene is sure to get some looks from NFL scouts, if only because he's returning for a season when two of the SWAC's dominant passing teams - Southern and Jackson State - are losing conference-leading seniors under center. Only Alcorn State has a returning senior superstar at quarterback.
But a strong recruiting class will also mean that Eugene will be pushed from behind: Grambling State has received verbal commitments from Carroll High's Brandon Landers and LaMarque High's Larry Kerlegan - top quarterback prospects in Louisiana and Texas, respectively.
"I don't think Bruce is worried about any of the kids coming in," said GSU coach Doug Williams, as 28 recruits visited Grambling one recent weekend. "It should not matter to Bruce. He should be the best mentor to whoever comes in - to let them know that they should keep this job in good hands when he leaves."
Spears believes Eugene will rise to that mentoring challenge, as well.
"With the talent we're putting around him," Spears said, "he's going to light up. Right now, I think he's ready to do the things he needs to so. Certainly, he needs to lose weight to get to the next level. But he also needs consistency to succeed."
That means Eugene spends his mornings in class, and his afternoons with Spears. "Bruce is probably as close to me as any players I've been around," Spears said.
But everyone at Grambling State owns a piece of his success, Eugene said. He works closely with Spears and Williams - but also has developed a warm relationship with receivers coach Sammie White.
"He stays in the background, but he puts his two cents in," Eugene said. "Coach White is the one who keeps me calm on the sidelines. Those three have helped me get here - and I can't tell you how thankful I am."
The talk around the athletic offices has often touched on a shocking off-season snub the senior received: Despite leading Division I-AA this season in total offense, Eugene wasn't selected for the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference team. That letdown came hard on the heels of a last-second loss to Southern in the Bayou Classic that prevented Grambling State from trying for a fourth straight SWAC championship.
"There's an empty feeling inside," Eugene said. "My first three years, we won a championship. I've gotten used to being in Birmingham for championship games, and winning it."
His coaches say overcoming those setbacks will be the key to a successful season for Eugene - whatever his weight.
"Not winning some of those awards will help him focus," Spears said. "Not winning some of those conference awards - and not winning the championship will help him get there. He has to make this team better. That's what we expect of him. And he has to expect some disappointments along the way. I think he's ready."
