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DeQuan Bembry working hard to meet potential
Marshall's DeQuan Bembry preapres for coverage drills during the Herd's practice Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- Without playing a down, DeQuan Bembry became the talk of Marshall University football.
Toward last season's end, several veterans were asked to identify an unknown they expected to impact 2008 and beyond. Several names were offered, but Bembry was the lone constant.
Bembry was touted both as a smooth, speedy cornerback and a playmaking kick returner. Now in the midst of spring practice, Bembry is staring down the opportunity to deliver on his peers' praise.
"I didn't hear too much," Bembry said of last season's buzz surrounding his potential, "but I was just trying to work hard and trying to help them out because I was on scout team."
The 5-foot-10, 174-pound redshirt freshman now is absorbing heavy doses of first team defensive and special teams duties. Bembry especially was under the spotlight during Wednesday's special teams scrimmage, and results were mixed.
Realizing his chance to earn immediate playing time on kick returns, Bembry said the right thing Tuesday. "Get the ball first," he stressed. "On special teams, you have to get the ball in your hands and then know what to do with it."
One day later there were struggles; Bembry bobbled several punts, but also displayed breakaway ability in the open field.
Thundering Herd head coach Mark Snyder, with perspective that Wednesday featured Bembry's first marquee moment, opted for a glass half full.
"He was fast like we knew he was fast," Snyder said. "He was quick like we knew he was quick. But like a lot of young guys, he tried to run before he caught the ball.
"It's different catching punts when no one is bearing down on you. You start doing a little bit of this (shifting)."
To Snyder and his coaching staff's credit, kid gloves were tossed aside with Bembry. Yes, a punt or two was muffed, but Bembry literally was hearing footsteps from defenders in full sprint.
"When they're bearing down on you, yeah," Snyder said of returners sensing the onslaught of tacklers. "We've been very fortunate here. We've set some things up where we can hold up those snipers. It was a little different for (Bembry). He had some people bearing down on him.
"We'll talk to him from here on out. I didn't want to see him fair catch today but if that would ever happen in a real game we would (fair catch)."
Bembry also is locked in a competitive battle at cornerback. J.J. Johnson, Zearrick Matthews, D.J. Wingate and Josh Miller are among those competing for depth chart positioning.
In a best case Bembry scenario, he wins playing time at both spots. He's likely a current step ahead as a punt returner, however, but he's taking in the double-duty practice workload.
"I'm getting used to coverages and learning that first step," Bembry said of his cornerback training. "Getting out here on the field is a lot different than the meetings. It's a learning process. That's all it really is.
"I would say special teams is where it's at right now. When I'm experienced in coverage, in the secondary, that's where I'll be at."
Speed and ball skills aside, Bembry realizes what will earn significant roles this season. Yes, he's now aware of the relative hype, but Bembry is adopting a blue collar approach.
"The coaches are looking for the hardest worker, and you just have to be that person," Bembry said. "You have to push everyone to that level."
Bembry's initial spotlight practice played out Wednesday. Other scrimmages will follow this spring, and he can anticipate another high-pressure special teams scrimmage during preseason camp.
"And he'll have another one in the fall," Snyder said of the long look Bembry received Wednesday. "But he's got some gifts, just like we thought he did."
