Calvin Keeps the Momentum Going with Commitment
After a lot of sleepless nights and much thought and conversation with his family, Co-Lin Community College three-star defensive end Johnathan Calvin decided that Mississippi State would be his future home. On Friday, Calvin told the coaches he was ready to be a Bulldog.
"My mom was the difference," Calvin said. "I wanted my family to be able to see me play and I've got a baby to take care of, I can't go that far off from her. She hasn't been up here much so she just let me make my decision. She's going to be happy with whatever I do."
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A big time factor in Calvin's recruitment was the coaches at Mississippi State. With Coach Tony Hughes, David Turner and Greg Knox, Calvin feels at home.
"We've got a great relationship. I've been talking to coach Knox since high school. Coach Turner is a guy that I can just talk to and bond with." [rl]
It's been a long road the last few years, but Calvin has come from Murrah, to Co-Lin and now to SEC football. He feels like the two years in JUCO have made him a better player.
"In high school I was a basketball player and just started playing football," Calvin said. "Right now I know football and how it works and I've gotten better at my technique. At first I was just playing off of athleticism."
Now moving into next season, Calvin is ready to be a strong force on the defensive line as Turner expects him to play immediately. He'll be joining former Co-Lin teammate Jocquell Johnson currently on campus, teammate Donald Gray and former high school teammate Malik Dear on next year's squad.
"It's going to be good. I've got a good relationship with Donald but I've been knowing Joc for a long time, we went to middle school together. Malik is coming in, too. At Murrah he ran the offense and I ran the defense. That will be something good.