Syracuse running back and Calvert Hall alum Sean Tucker has two things on his mind during his third college football season — powering the Orange to an ACC championship and winning the Heisman Trophy.
However, Tucker’s success at Syracuse did not happen overnight. Instead, it took years of grinding dating back to his time with the Cardinals.
Tucker entered the fold as a sophomore at Calvert Hall following an injury to one of the Cardinals’ running backs. The Owings Mills, Md., native immediately made his mark in a game against Wise High School, scoring his first varsity touchdown and solidifying himself as a key weapon for Calvert Hall’s offense.
Tucker went on to start during the remaining two years of his high school career. He committed to Syracuse in April 2019, the spring before his senior year at Calvert Hall. He racked up 1,204 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, cementing himself as one of the top prospects in the state.
Tucker recognizes the importance his time at Calvert Hall had on his college career.
“Those were important years, being in [the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association] playing against the teams we played — high competition,” Tucker said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 30. “They have guys that go to [Division I] schools all around that league. [Donald Davis] was one of the best coaches I had, him being in my ear and helping me along and keeping me focused.”
While high school was a pivotal time for the young running back, his parents helped him prior to that.
“My dad [was] training me since I was 6,” Tucker said. “Him always being in my ear and just trying to push me and keep me motivated to do what I want to do and try to get to the highest level.”
The 5-foot 10, 205-pound back set the tone for his career at Syracuse as a freshman in 2020, running for 626 yards and four touchdowns in a crowded backfield. He played with the same quickness, toughness and determination that put a target on his back in high school.
That was nothing compared to what was to come.
Tucker absolutely exploded as a sophomore in 2019, finishing at No. 15 in a top 100 college football players ranking by ESPN. He posted 1,496 rushing yards, 255 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns.
Now, there is Heisman chatter in the background. But Tucker is staying true to himself and continues to work hard to improve his game. He ran for 100 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries in Syracuse’s season-opening 31-7 victory against Louisville Sept. 3.
The spotlight is nothing new for this star as he continues to build himself up for the 2022 season while not forgetting where his journey began — Paul Angelo Russo Stadium at Calvert Hall.
“I’ve been in these situations plenty of times, and to me this is nothing new,” Tucker said. “So I know good defenses and teams are going to come try to stop me and have me as the main focus, but I’m not going to change what I do. I just got to prepare the same and play how I play.”
For more from Tucker, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Syracuse Athletics