lucas lands at carson-newman

Seymour High School senior Tyler Lucas became the second former Eagles’ gridiron star to sign to continue his football career at nearby Carson-Newman College last week, inking scholarship papers Thursday morning at a planned signing-ceremony in the SHS library.

Lucas, a mammoth 6-foot-6, 295-pound lineman, will join his former quarterback, Todd Ogle, who signed with Carson-Newman last week. Ogle will more than likely play defensive back or wide receiver at the college level.

As for Lucas though, there’s no question where the hulking intimidator will line up at the college level.

“I’ve played on the offensive line my whole life and they said that’s where I’d probably get my first chance to play,” said Lucas. “I talked to their coaches about it when I went up there on (high school) senior day.”

Lucas said Carson-Newman coaches have also indicated that there is a good chance he’ll get a look on the defensive line as well this fall when pre-season drills get underway for the Eagles.

Seymour head football coach Gary Householder said players with Lucas’ size and God-given athletic attributes are hot-commodities at any level of football. If not for some bad breaks during his senior season at SHS, Lucas could have very well signed with a Division-I college.

“Tyler didn’t play his freshman year (at SHS) and he got mono halfway through his senior season last year,” said Householder, “but Tyler improved every year he played for us. His size definitely makes him a good prospect. I think he definitely has a bright future if he continues to work hard.”

Tyler Lucas’ father, David Lucas, said prior to Tyler coming down with mononucleosis last fall, a handful of mid-to-high level Division-I universities were showing interest. Among the colleges that had an eye on the former SHS offensive tackle were Florida, Arkansas and East Carolina. Tyler Lucas’ father said that after his son was forced to miss the last half of his senior season he would have had to attend either a junior college or prep school before officially being offered a scholarship from one of the Division-I schools.

After a period of soul-searching, Tyler Lucas said it feels great to get the decision out of the way. He said he’s thrilled to be headed to an established program like Carson-Newman.

“It’s a big relief that I’ve made my mind up to play at Carson-Newman,” said Tyler Lucas. “(Carson-Newman) is a great school and it’s close to home so my family and friends can attend my home games. I mean, in this area, other than UT, Carson-Newman is as good as it gets. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”

Tyler’s father said seeing his son accomplish one of his life-long ambitions of playing college football is a great feeling.

“I’m really proud of Tyler for working hard to accomplish his goals,” said David Lucas. “He’s been playing football since he was a little kid and he always said he wanted to play in college. I’m proud of him for sticking to it and never giving up.”

David Lucas said if Tyler’s mother, Robin Lucas, had her way when Tyler first showed interest in playing football, it could have been a different signing-day ceremony all together.

“His mom didn’t even want him to play football,” said David Lucas. “She wanted him to play Tuba in the band. He played in the band when he was in the 7^th and 8^th grades and he got pretty good. She wanted him to keep playing tuba she’s thrilled now that he’s getting to live his dream of playing college football. I think his tuba-playing days might be over.”

Tyler Lucas signing a college scholarship is just the first step of his ultimate plan. He said his dream is to someday get a chance to play football professionally. However, he realizes that playing in the NFL is one in a million, so he plans to make the best of the opportunity in front of him now.

“If it doesn’t work out—playing pro football—I wont’ be disappointed,” Tyler Lucas commented, “Because I got to play high school football and college football. But playing pro football is my main goal. I’ve been working toward it since I was seven.”

Lucas is the third player from the SHS football Class of 2008 to sign a college scholarship in the past two months. Before Ogle signed with Carson-Newman last week, all-time SHS sack king Todd Fink signed to play for Pikeville College last month.