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Suber Finds Home On The Other Side

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

By now, Alex Suber expected to be a fixture in the Middle Tennessee backfield, perhaps galloping for 1,000-yard seasons, scoring touchdowns nearly every weekend, doing what he had always done.

Sometimes, things change.

"Kind of a drastic change, really," said Suber, a former Jefferson High standout who rushed for 225 years in the 2004 Class 4A state championship game, his prep finale.

Two seasons ago, Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill asked Suber, a 5-foot-9, 165-pounder, about switching to cornerback. Suber agreed, but he wasn't certain.

"There was some initial resistance," said Middle Tennessee cornerbacks coach Antonio Goss, a former NFL player. "But we saw something in Alex, something that could be special on defense. It just took him a little longer to see it."

Now, it is evident.

Suber, a redshirt junior, was named preseason first-team All-Sun Belt Conference. Last season, he had 59 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, an interception, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

"The coaches always had confidence in me, but it took some time for me to have that same confidence," Suber said. "Maybe it was just changing the mentality of trying to miss the defenders to playing physical.

"Me being a little small in stature, people have always been skeptical about me. 'Too small, too small.' I've always heard that. But I think I've made the transition. I feel good out there. I can get after people, and I can cover guys, too."

Goss never had a doubt.

"I love Alex's footwork," Goss said. "It's exceptional. That's something he just has, an extension of his athletic ability. In some areas, he's just a natural for the position. With experience, he has done nothing but get better."

Instead of turning the corner and getting past the linebacker, Suber concentrates on turning his hips and sticking with the opposing receiver.

Instead of spinning away from a tackler, now he is apt to get in the face of a skill-position player and ride him to the ground.

Suber's older brother, Allen, was a star quarterback at Bethune-Cookman who changed positions during a stint in the NFL. He preached patience and said versatility could only be beneficial down the line.

"I'm still a football player, but I'm just doing different things," Suber said. "Coach Goss has been a big influence on me, showing me the ropes. Just from him being in the NFL, you respect him instantly. He understands the game and has played where you want to be.

"My attitude is, as long as I outwork everybody on the field, do my job and stay aggressive, I'm going to be fine."

Actually, more than fine.

All-Sun Belt Conference isn't a bad place to be - especially at a position that once seemed foreign.

"Alex Suber is a quality kid," Goss said. "I never had a doubt he could do this. He put the team ahead of himself and he helped this program. That's a tribute to him."

Reporter Joey Johnston can be

reached at (813) 259-7353 or

jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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