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2 / BACK TO SCHOOL / MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
FOOTBALL
Succeeding in San Diego
Former Jayhawk Darrell Stuckey fights for starting spot in NFL
Former Kansas safety Darrell Stuckey returns an interception during the Border Showdown against Missouri in 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium. Stuckey signed a contract with the San Diego Chargers June 24.
BY COREY THIBODEAUX cthibodeaux@kansan.com
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Life doesn't get much better for Darrell Stuckey.
"I can't complain at all," he said. "It's 70 degrees every day."
The former Kansas safety lives in San Diego. About four times a week after practice, he sees a movie.
He signed a four-year deal with the San Diego Chargers June 24. And with the recent release of Kevin Ellison, San Diego's primary strong safety last year, signs point to Stuckey becoming the starter.
"It's a dream come true," he said.
His main competition in camp at this point is Steve Gregory, but Stuckey has the overall coverage ability, making him the early favorite. Working out with talented players such as Shaun Phillips, Luis Castillo restricted free-agent Shawne Merriman, is just enough for him at this point, he said.
Stuckey said he practiced on both the first and second teams, so he wasn't about to dub himself the starter yet.
Former Kansas linebacker Mike Rivera, who spent the summer in Lawrence working out after signing to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, said he wasn't at all surprised about Stuckey's position.
"Obviously he's got the skills and he's a student of the game," Rivera
said. "That's the difference between what makes a player a starter and a contributor."
Stuckey also helps the Chargers with his conduct off the field. Ellison was released essentially because of his May 24 arrest for drug possession. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson was suspended for three games because of his legal troubles and now wants a new contract.
So the 2010 Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year seemed like a classy choice in the fourth round for San Diego.
Former Kansas defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, who now has
the same position at Western Kentucky, said Stuckey surpassed a lot of players in terms of intelligence and self discipline. That's why it's not a surprise to see him with all this early success.
"No one wants to deal with the prob-
deal with the problem of guys who can't seem to do things right," Bowen said.
But it is surprising to see him in San Diego. Out of all the teams that called before the draft, Bowen doesn't remember the Chargers
four other teams seemed ready to take Stuckey.
But despite the transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3, Bowen learned the Chargers do play a style of defense similar to how the Jayhawks did last
"If you aren't going to do something wholeheartedly, don't."
being one of them, even though
DARREL STUCKEY
Former Kansas safety
season
"A lot of the stuff will be carryover for Darrell," Bowen said. Stuckey was known at Kansas for his involvement in youth groups
and the Student Senate, along with his leadership in a tumultuous year for Kansas football. Much of that, it seems, has traveled with him to San Diego.
Already, Stuckey said he is
helping foster homes and basketball camps. And whether he's giving back to the community, giving an interview or just doing what his team asks, he is giving it his all.
"If you aren't going to do something wholeheartedly, don't," Stuckey said.
He goes to practice and does everything he can for the team, but Stuckey said it hasn't hit him yet that he's in the NTL. He said it will probably hit him early in the season.
The San Diego Chargers play the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football Sept. 13 at Arrowhead Stadium's season opener. To play in his hometown the first game of the season in that atmosphere, he said, is like a gift from God.
"This is what you wanted to become," Stuckey said. "And all you can do is cherish it and not take it for granted."
Already, studies involved in this new community
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