By Ryan Yemen / Creative Editor
The good news for any team trying to penetrate the Fork Union offensive line is that Mark Shuman is only going to be around for one more year. The bad news is that it’s going to be a very long year.
Already committed to Virginia Tech, just like his brother Ryan back in 2004, Shuman is coming into 2009 in better condition than ever, as he’s started to fill out and become more comfortable with his size.
“Mark, even coming into last year and his sophomore year, he was still fitting into his body, growing a whole bunch,” said assistant coach Brian Hurlocker who works with the Blue Devils during summer conditioning. “Now he’s doing everything faster and with more strength.”
You could call it coming into his own. Head coach Micky Sullivan has watched Shuman progress from a big kid into a four star recruit, and that progress will only lead to better things as 2009 season unfolds.
“Mark has been like a big Labrador pup,” Sullivan said. “He was just big with arms and legs and runs around a lot. Now he’s starting to fill out and get stronger. As a young guy, when they get stronger they play with more confidence. Well with confidence they then start playing faster and just start doing better.”
For many athletes who excel on the defensive or offensive line, it’s all about overpowering the opposition with size. Yet while Shuman’s big frame certainly allows him to do that, what separates him from the rest is his ability to move laterally as well as down the field.
“He’s got great hands, long arms, and great feet,” Sullivan said. “To be as big as he is and still be so athletic – a lot of people don’t know that Mark plays basketball for us and he’s very good – it’s something else. When you’re 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, a lot of the time all you’ll have to do is get in the way.”
Shuman’s going to be doing more than that this year as the Blue Devils look to rebound from a 2008 season that fell well below their usual standards. According to Shuman’s father, John, who coaches the FUMA post graduate football team, Mark will be playing a little more aggressively his senior year.
“I think you’re going to see a meaner, tougher Mark this year,” John Shuman said. “He’s got the footwork. He’s always had good feet. But now the physical part of his game is starting to catch up with his athleticism.”
If Shuman is only going to be more physical than he was in 2007 or 2008, you can’t help but wonder what that will translate into this year. And for anyone looking to get away from Shuman on the edge of the line, things don’t get much better on the inside. Waiting for you in the middle is North Carolina bound three start recruit Russell Bodine.
FUMA opens with Norfolk Academy today at 3:30 p.m. on the road.
