TI and The State report that OLB Buster Hunter has given up football due to his epileptic seizures becoming uncontrollable and not responding to medication.
>"I still haven't really swallowed the pill yet," Hunter said. "I'm just hurting so bad knowing I went from working out, getting ready to play this season and being right in the rotation, to 'I can't play anymore.'
My body has basically been rejecting my medicine," he said. "When that happens, it makes it complicated to live normal."
"They didn't want to take any more chances as far as me being out there on the field and having one, to where it could be dangerous. You can't predict a seizure, when it's coming on. You can't say, 'Well, at 6 o'clock I'm going to have a seizure.'
"It's hard, because you wake up and you see all the pictures on the wall of you playing, and you know you're not going to do it anymore. I've been hurting so bad. But I'm trying to stay positive about everything, trying to keep my head up. That's the most important thing. A lot of people have it worse off than me.
"I honestly believe God is showing me a different way of doing things. This is not what I wanted, but it's what I need."
He will be put on medical redshirt and will serve as a student-assistant this season, overseeing the LBs.
Hunter was in line for a 2nd string position this season and had been praised by Steele several times this offseason, before having to sit out towards the end of spring practice because of his seizures. He led the team in snaps per tackle last season.
Recall Hunter had to sit out most of last spring because of the seizures and a knee injury, and enrolled in January 2008 after working very hard to get his scores up just to get into Clemson after signing in February 2007. Just a few months ago, this article was written on his life and struggles with health and family.
I really feel for Hunter, because he worked his tail off just to get to Clemson, and appeared to have a promising college career ahead of him.
ReplyDeleteWho is going to play LB for us? I predict either Sapp or Alexander, or both, will log some serious minutes at LB if one of them does not move to the position permanently, and I also expect Corico Hawkins or Quandon Christian to avoid a redshirt and get some quality PT this year.
There is just not much depth without making changes, and we need the best 11 on the field. Beyond Maye, Connor, Cooper, and Campbell, there is just not a heck of a lot of experience or quality depth. I am happy we are hearing good things about Tig Williard, but we need at least two or three more to be bale to log quality minutes.
Every indication has been that Alexander is cross-training and Sapp will have to stick at DE. Having him come back from injury and still cross-train at OLB will be too much for him.
ReplyDeleteBut where you see Alexander vs MTSU will depend on how quick Sapp can come back. If not, KA will have to play DE because Goodman will not be ready.
Another thing to think about is that MTSU runs the spread, so having KA at LB may not be the best thing for opening day. It might be best to hold him mostly at DE until GT. Opening day would likely be more Nickel coverage, so you wouldnt need him at LB yet.
Tig Willard will be the guy, I believe, who will benefit from it and its his shot to step up to take the OLB spot Hunter vacates. One of either Christian or Hawkins will get the PT, Hawk is more of a MIKE type at about 220. Christian is at 210 and played SAM in HS.
Right now its Maye-Campbell at M, S.Cooper-Andrews at SAM, Conner-Willard at WILL.
Thankyou for your response. I agree that Alexander would be a better fit at LB against teams that ran the ball. Also, I think you would agree that the converted safetys were not very good against the run, and we need more beef at LB.
ReplyDeleteI would think Christian would beat out Andrews for second string SAM.