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Anthony's decision boosts GSU's hopes
By Ethan Conley • Louisiana Sports Bureau • May 2, 2010
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http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100502/SPORTS02/5020322/1001/sports
Buzz up!Twitter FarkIt Type Size A A A GRAMBLING — As Grambling's Black and Gold Spring Game was wrapping up last Saturday, so was the final day of the 2010 NFL Draft.
GSU defensive end Christian Anthony very well could have heard his name called in the draft had he chosen for forego his final year of eligibility with the Tigers.
But his mother had other plans.
"The first thing I did after the Bayou Classic was I sat down and talked with my mom, and we had a little discussion," Anthony said. "She wanted me to finish school, and then go on from there. What's another six or seven months?"
It sounds like Anthony's motivations for returning for his senior year extend beyond academics. He also wants to finish his athletic career on a high note. He was a key player on a GSU defense that paved the way to a SWAC championship in 2008, but the Tigers had a disappointing 2009 season, including mid-season loss to Prairie View A&M that essentially knocked the Tigers out of title contention.
"That's all I need is motivation," Anthony said. "There's always motivation, especially with Prairie View."
At 6-foot-3 and 277 pounds, Anthony certainly looks the part of an NFL draft pick. He may not get as much attention as he would receive if he played at a Football Bowl Subdivision school, but he has done just about everything possible to separate himself from his peers, capturing SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. He finished the 2009 campaign with 76 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles.
He had two defensive touchdowns, and could have doubled that total — or even tripled it — if not for a few returns that ended just short of the goal line and an unselfish lateral to a teammate on another
.
Playing non-FBS football should by no means keep him from being selected. Of the 255 players picked in the draft, 25 came from non-FBS programs. The SWAC, however, did not have any players selected in 2010.
Anthony has proven himself in limited action against FBS teams. Last season against Oklahoma State — and offensive tackle Russell Okung, the No. 6 overall selection in the draft — he had a team-high 12 tackles (11 solo). But he didn't get to go head-to-head with Okung very often.
"Mostly the whole game all they did is roll out away from me," he said. "Then in the second half it was run the ball, run the ball."
Anthony said he wants to improve his conditioning heading into next season. He wants to be just as quick off the ball on the last play of the game as he is when he first takes the field.
"I want to get off the ball faster — faster and throughout the game," he said. "Last year I got off the ball in the beginning of the first half, but come the third quarter, I'm getting off the ball, but not as fast as I was in the first quarter."
By Ethan Conley • Louisiana Sports Bureau • May 2, 2010
Comments(0)
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100502/SPORTS02/5020322/1001/sports
Buzz up!Twitter FarkIt Type Size A A A GRAMBLING — As Grambling's Black and Gold Spring Game was wrapping up last Saturday, so was the final day of the 2010 NFL Draft.
GSU defensive end Christian Anthony very well could have heard his name called in the draft had he chosen for forego his final year of eligibility with the Tigers.
But his mother had other plans.
"The first thing I did after the Bayou Classic was I sat down and talked with my mom, and we had a little discussion," Anthony said. "She wanted me to finish school, and then go on from there. What's another six or seven months?"
It sounds like Anthony's motivations for returning for his senior year extend beyond academics. He also wants to finish his athletic career on a high note. He was a key player on a GSU defense that paved the way to a SWAC championship in 2008, but the Tigers had a disappointing 2009 season, including mid-season loss to Prairie View A&M that essentially knocked the Tigers out of title contention.
"That's all I need is motivation," Anthony said. "There's always motivation, especially with Prairie View."
At 6-foot-3 and 277 pounds, Anthony certainly looks the part of an NFL draft pick. He may not get as much attention as he would receive if he played at a Football Bowl Subdivision school, but he has done just about everything possible to separate himself from his peers, capturing SWAC Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. He finished the 2009 campaign with 76 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles.
He had two defensive touchdowns, and could have doubled that total — or even tripled it — if not for a few returns that ended just short of the goal line and an unselfish lateral to a teammate on another
.
Playing non-FBS football should by no means keep him from being selected. Of the 255 players picked in the draft, 25 came from non-FBS programs. The SWAC, however, did not have any players selected in 2010.
Anthony has proven himself in limited action against FBS teams. Last season against Oklahoma State — and offensive tackle Russell Okung, the No. 6 overall selection in the draft — he had a team-high 12 tackles (11 solo). But he didn't get to go head-to-head with Okung very often.
"Mostly the whole game all they did is roll out away from me," he said. "Then in the second half it was run the ball, run the ball."
Anthony said he wants to improve his conditioning heading into next season. He wants to be just as quick off the ball on the last play of the game as he is when he first takes the field.
"I want to get off the ball faster — faster and throughout the game," he said. "Last year I got off the ball in the beginning of the first half, but come the third quarter, I'm getting off the ball, but not as fast as I was in the first quarter."
