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McFarland expects to play
As the college football season approaches, the anticipation continues to build for James "JT" McFarland.
The Ferriday native and future TCU Horned Frog freshman arrived on campus a few weeks ago and has spent most of his time this summer strengthening his core and improving his speed.
"It's very exciting. I'm working hard as I can, and the possibility of me playing is very good. That's really exciting for somebody my age," McFarland said.
McFarland was heavily recruited following his 10.5-sack junior season at West Monroe High School, as he received offers from LSU, Arkansas and Mississippi State. Following his sensational junior campaign, he decided TCU was the best fit for him and his family.
After being dubbed the 36th best linebacker in the nation by Rivals and fifth best in the state, the 6'3", 240-pound prospect recorded 86 tackles and six sacks as a senior in 2011.
But as he knows, TCU is a big step up in competition, and McFarland is prepping himself to be an instant impact player.
"I just want to contribute to my team as much as I can," McFarland said. "I'm not really worried about playing time. I want to play, but my main goal is getting stronger and certainly getting faster."
McFarland, son of former Ferriday head football coach James McFarland Sr. and former Ferriday Lady Trojan basketball coach Joan McFarland, will look to follow in his parents footsteps as a college athlete.
James Sr. played quarterbackl at Alcorn State after a standout career at Waterproof High, while Joan played basketball at Grambling State and led the Lady Trojans to a state championship in 1996.
McFarland said having a father that has both played collegiately and served as a head coach for the Trojans helps him tremendously.
"He's mostly told me to just 'stick it to 'em,'" McFarland said. "He wants me to be the person that does everything to the fullest and to find myself."
Once McFarland signed to play for TCU, he immediately signed to play for one of college football's most prestigious head coach, Gary Patterson.
Patterson was voted as the best coach in college football in an ESPN The Magazine poll by college football coaches across the nation last year.
Entering his 12th season as the head coach of the Horned Frogs, Patterson bolsters a record of 109-30 in his career.
McFarland explains that he has met the man, but he has yet to meet the coach.
"Well see, there's two men," McFarland said. "There's Gary and there's Coach P. I met Gary, but I haven't met Coach P. yet. Right now, he's nice, but it's only a matter of time before I meet Coach P."
As McFarland looks to play as a freshman at TCU in 2012, he said he's simply loving it. McFarland isn't taking the opportunity lightly, and he's willing to put in the hard work to achieve his goals.
"Just keep praying for me," McFarland said. |
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