The 2001 NCAA football preseason hype pretty much began as soon as Oklahoma left the Orange Bowl field with the 2000 National Championship trophy.
And with preseason hype comes preseason Heisman Trophy contenders lists.
MSU junior tailback T.J. Duckett is one player who has seen his name in the Heisman race, but he said his campaign will depend on a team effort.
“It’s definitely an honor,” Duckett said. “The Heisman, I look at it as a team award - it’s not just an individual award. It’s a team that really makes it happen,” he said.
After a disappointing 2000 season, Duckett said winning is foremost on his mind and the awards won’t mean a thing if MSU doesn’t collect some victories.
“Going from 10-2 (in 1999) to 5-6 (last year), you can see the difference in the whole atmosphere,” Duckett said. “You just got to win games, that’s what games are all about - winning.”
Last season, the 250-pound Duckett rushed for 1,353 yards and the tailback will probably accomplish similar success this season. But unlike his freshman and sophomore years, Duckett opens the 2001 campaign without a scratch on his body and he hopes to steer clear of injury this season.
“I’m at full health now,” Duckett said. “It’s just trying to think about my body - where have I been hurting in the past, what parts have been beaten up in the past, and just trying to focus on those areas more.”
Health isn’t Duckett’s only change this season; he’s worked on becoming a more competent back in terms of energy and third-down situations.
“The biggest thing I’ve been working on is my stamina and endurance,” Duckett said. “And just my overall passing game, trying to develop myself more as a third-down back and back in long-yard situations - passing-yard situations.”
But with the addition of talented receiving tandem junior transfer B.J. Lovett and sophomore Charles Rogers, Duckett has better chances to get freed up in the offense - something the tailback said he’s excited for.
“It’s definitely a bonus,” he said. “During the spring, you could just see how they opened up the offense a lot, they’re more explosive. Those guys make great plays. Every time they touch the ball, they can make an impact on the game. So I’m just excited to see them here along with other players that we have too.”
As a freshman, Duckett came in and had an immediate impact on the Spartan program. Although his performance rarely faltered, Duckett said he’s still not the confident runner he aims to be for the green and white.
“In a way, I’m more confident,” he said. “But there is still so much that I don’t know. There’s a lot I don’t know, but I’d probably say I’m more excited this year. This year I’m less nervous. It’s not 100 percent confidence. I’m to where I want to be.
“I’m not the complete back I want to be. But right now, there’s still a lot of work I have to do during two-a-day camp and the rest of the summer.”
Duckett will be a major factor if MSU is to erase ugly memories from last season. He wants the Spartans to bounce back this year with the same work ethic as the 1999 Citrus Bowl championship team.
“We’re going out every Saturday and we’re going to play hard,” Duckett said. “We had a disappointing year last year and we’re just trying to put all of that behind us and go out and play some games and win.”
