Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Meger makes mark at UTEP
BY Matt Welch, mwelch@acnpapers.com
It’s no secret that the transition from high school to college can be a bit of a culture shock.
For students, it’s the process of getting acclimated to brand new surroundings, a more personal degree of responsibility and time management, and the adjustment to a brand new culture altogether.
In an athletic context, look no further than the last year for Plano Senior alumnus Carson Meger.
Entering last fall slotted sixth of the Miners’ six quarterbacks on the depth chart, Meger had to work his way the ground up.
“It’s humbling when you go from being the star quarterback to just another [guy] on the scout team,” said Jaydon McCullough, Plano head coach. “There, you’re fighting for your life with every rep. But [Meger] told me he would do whatever it took to play.”
And one year and a slew of strong spring showings later, Meger’s efforts have not gone unnoticed as the former Wildcat recently earned a football scholarship and now enters the 2010 season as UTEP’s third-string quarterback.
“It’s one of the things I had in mind when I came here and one of the goals I set for myself,” Meger said. “It’s a great thing to see how things worked out and get rewarded for the stuff I’ve done. But at the same time, I came here to play football and came with the mindset of wanting to work my way up the depth chart.”
Redshirted for his freshman year, Meger’s fall 2009 was all about finding a niche for himself amid his new surroundings.
During those first few months, the quarterback was subjected to the standard grind endured by any first-time redshirt athlete. That meant countless repetitions on the Miners’ scout team as well as helping UTEP’s defense prepare for future opponents and essentially just getting acclimated to the system out west.
But despite trying to find his footing amongst a quintet of other quarterbacks, Meger never appeared daunted by the task.
“It’s the same mindset I had in Plano,” he said. “I don’t really view status as anything, whether you’re first or last. You should still be working as hard as you can and I was never really concerned with my status (on the depth chart).”
The initial experiences also allowed Meger to get a feel for the college game firsthand. Emphasizing the mental aspect of the adjustment as well as the speed, the benefits that helped Meger make the high school gridiron his own personal painter’s palette weren’t as accessible at the college level.
“It’s not like being able to have (Plano Senior alumnus) Kris Lott on the outside,” Meger said, “and think that’s an easy matchup because he’s one of the best receivers in the Metroplex, so I’ll just take that one-on-one matchup.
“It’s a whole new level once you get to college because everything is so much faster and more complex. There’s checks, reads and more guys running routes, and it’s been great having guys like [senior Trevor Vittatoe] and [senior James Thomas II] to help guide me along.”
In taking cues and tips from Vittatoe, UTEP’s three-year starter at quarterback, and back-up Thomas, Meger’s stars steadily began to align as spring ball inched closer and closer.
What was once a sea of quarterbacks, the Miners’ six-rung stack of signal-calling dominoes began to fall one by one. Junior Jeremy Springer was moved to linebacker during the offseason, redshirt freshman Andy McCloud transferred citing a change of scenery and both Vittatoe and Thomas were absent from spring ball due to injuries.
That left the rare predicament of UTEP working with just two quarterbacks in the spring, as Meger stood alongside then-freshman Tim Curry.
“I was excited just like anyone else would be to get the opportunity,” Meger said. “You never know at this level what will happen with things like transfers or injuries. Everybody is just a play or two away from getting an opportunity and I was just fortunate enough to get that chance last spring.”
A myriad of spring practices and scrimmages were just a prelude to April 24, the date for UTEP’s annual spring game and Meger’s closest taste to a gameday atmosphere.
At the helm of Team Blue, Meger answered the call in completing 14-of-27 passes for 182 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as Blue tallied a 31-17 victory. Leading Team Orange, Curry went 21-for-36 for 144 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
“I just took advantage of an opportunity,” Meger said. “I probably won’t get an opportunity like that again in the next three springs with just two quarterbacks. I just took advantage of it thinking it was just a one-time thing.”
Showcasing that competitive fire should come as no shock to the Wildcat faithful, as that attitude just might have been Meger’s defining trait during his time at Plano.
“The biggest thing Carson brought to the table is that he’s a fierce competitor,” McCullough said. “I think his competitive spirit even fueled mine and made me a better coach.”
Effectively adding a measure of distance between he and Curry, Meger’s rise up the depth chart was given another shot in the arm two weeks ago when Curry decided to transfer. Not long after, a talk with head coach Mike Price ended with Meger officially netting a scholarship for his work.
“It was just a short-winded conversation,” Meger said, “and that’s all it needed to be because this was just one more step towards hopefully getting on the field one day. That’s my goal and that’s what I have in mind.”
Now slotted as the Miners’ third quarterback, Meger will also enjoy duties holding kicks for field goals and PATs, a job he had minimal experience in with the Wildcats.
“I held [kicks] for about two games back at Plano,” Meger said. “Then, someone tried to block a PAT and basically tackled me, so coach McCullough took me out of that after just two games. But I’m left-handed and you hold the ball with your left hand, so it felt natural.”
In securing the scholarship, Meger is doing anything but resting on his laurels.
While this fall will mark the final season with the Miners for both Vittatoe and Thomas, the offseason addition of New Mexico transfer and junior Tate Smith and true freshman Javia Hall makes the quarterback position even more contentious going forward.
Fortunately for Meger, it’ll just mean maintaining the same mindset he’s had throughout his career.
“One of the things we’ve been talking about here is never being content or satisfied,” Meger said. “That’s a big thing because once you get caught relaxing is when people start beating you. Especially in my situation, I’m never going to be content.
“Just because we’ll have two seniors leaving, it does nothing for me because nothing is ever set in stone at this level.”
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
