Eary in UC Defensive Line Plans

By Jack Bogacyzk
Charleston Daily Mail
Sports Editor
April 19, 2007

That huffing and puffing you may have heard in Sissonville over the Christmas holidays wasn't Santa Claus trying to fit down a chimney.

It was Dustin Eary, trying to fit into his University of Charleston football uniform.

"We have a hillside next to our home that's about 50 yards long and it's very steep," Eary said before a recent Golden Eagles spring practice at UC Stadium. "I ran up that about 30 times a day over the holidays.

"I was about 299, 300 (pounds) when last season ended. I came back after the break at about 270. I've gained about 5 pounds since then."

The 6-foot tackle certainly fits into Coach Tony DeMeo's 2007 plans on a UC defense that returns 21 players who started at least a game last season. Eary, who was a two-way player at Sissonville High, made three starts in 2006 even at his added weight that ballooned after knee surgery a year ago.

"I would expect Dustin would start, unless he comes back (in August) looking like a tub," DeMeo said. "It's all about speed and quickness on our defense. You can never be too quick."

When DeMeo arrived at UC and said he wanted to have a core of Kanawha Valley players in his program, Eary became one of the third-year coach's first recruits although the tackle hadn't gained much acclaim playing for the Indians.

"I really liked him when I talked to him," DeMeo said. "That's not real scientific, I know, and Bear Bryant is probably rolling over in his grave when I say that, but I just liked him.

"Dustin obviously was physically strong, and we were recruiting runners and hitters at the time. He was heavy, but there was something there that I just liked. Sometimes, it just works that way."

Eary hadn't been an All-State pick, and on the All-Cardinal Conference team, he was only an honorable mention selection, having played for three Sissonville teams that were a combined 7-23. As a heavyweight wrestler, he was a regional champion and finished seventh in the state meet as a senior.

"Being the first local guys recruited by Coach DeMeo, I guess it made us feel really important, and we had the chance to build the program," said Eary, who is on partial scholarship at UC. "I was just glad to have the opportunity that was here.

"I never figured I'd be playing Division II football, maybe Division III. Coming from Sissonville, at the time we didn't even have a locker room (the Indians since have opened a large fieldhouse); we dressed in the auditorium.

"It was a big shock coming to this, and a huge adjustment when you go up against (offensive linemen) who are 6-6 or 6-7 at times. The speed is so different.

"(DeMeo) said I had a chance to play, but he didn't know that much about me. As freshmen, a lot of us had a chance to play because there weren't a lot of seniors and juniors. I think that helped."

DeMeo was right about Eary's strength. He bench-presses 420-430 pounds regularly. Last season, he played almost 50 pounds heavier than his UC- entering weight of 250, while UC's record dropped from 8-3 (in 2005) to 5-6.

"I think I'm a little quicker now," said Eary, who is majoring in business and athletic administration. "I'm not going to have any problem keeping my weight down. I did a lot of work to get here."

UC WILL finish spring practice Saturday at 6 p.m. with an intrasquad scrimmage that is free to what DeMeo calls "University of Charleston family and friends." Translated? Last year UC had to ask some coaches from other college teams to leave the UC Stadium premises ... The UC staff is hosting its annual high school coaches' clinic Friday and Saturday. About 100 coaches are registered for the sessions.

Photo courtesy of the Charleston Daily Mail.