Sanders on the road to recovery
For cornerback Cameron Sanders, it hasn’t been an easy go this year. But even with an injury sustained from spring camp and a rough season for the Aggies, Sanders is still pushing forward to get back in the game.
While set back by the dislocated elbow, the 5-foot-10 sophomore is working hard and is progressing to be on the field more and more.
“So far, I feel like I’m on and off,” Sanders said. “Sometimes I can do good, and sometimes it’s not as good as I want it to be.”
Part of Sanders’ training is simply watching and learning from what the team does on the field each day, at every game.
“I’m not really playing as much as I need to be,” Sanders said. “I feel like, with the team, we have a lot of confidence in what we have right now. I’m still watching and learning — trying to see what I can do better to help the team, too.”
And that has been Sanders’ biggest contribution to the team for most of this season. However, he has plenty of things he is personally working on to get better.
One of his biggest goals is just to get back to full health, Sanders said.
“As far as my injuries, with getting back at 100 percent, it’s getting better each week,” Sanders said. “I’m getting stronger and stronger; it’s getting better and better.”
Cornerbacks coach Kendrick Shaver has a positive opinion of, and also high expectations for the cornerback players he coaches.
“We have a good group of guys, an athletic group of guys, a very competitive group of guys,” Shaver said. “Several of these guys could start, and that’s a very good thing. I’m pleased with those guys.”
When it comes to Sanders’ progression and playing, Shaver said he sees everything in a realistic light.
“With his injury, of course, he was set back a lot and when he got back the season was going,” Shaver said. “He is still getting back in playing state — football functioning mode.”
To achieve the things the team wants, Shaver has set specific goals for the cornerbacks.
“We want to have the best passing defense in the WAC,” Shaver said. “For our resume I want our guys to be disciplined and to be physical. That’s what we harp on. We are really growing together.”
For Nevin Lawson, one of Sander’s fellow cornerbacks, he said his biggest goal is to win the WAC championship and then a bowl game.
“We’ve got good talent in the cornerback position; we’ve got good talent for every position on this team,” Lawson said.
Lawson said he sees the team’s overall progression as coming along well.
“But we could get better — you’re never going to be too good,” Lawson said. “You can get just good enough, and get better in certain ways, to be a better football player.”
Lawson had a quick, confirming response when asked about playing alongside Sanders.
“I have a good relationship with Cam,” he said.
The relationship is visible when Lawson talks about Sanders and what he has gone through.
“Cam is a hard worker — a fighting dude that won’t give up,” Lawson said. “He is a competitive, committed guy.”
Shaver also seems to have a positive outlook on Sanders’ hardworking personality, as he works with him, preparing to play more in upcoming games.
“He plays with the brace on and some people might pick on him out there,” Shaver said. “But he is doing a good job and is still what we call ‘pre-habbing,’ not rehabbing. He’s really coming along.”
So how is Sanders going to reach his goal of getting over this hump?
“My main goal is just trying to stay healthy,” Sanders said. “That would mean no injuries, no tweaks, I’d get a lot more chances to play. Besides staying healthy and going out and trying to give my all, my main problem is my injury. I just need to overcome that. I know if I could do that and stay healthy, it’d be a lot better for me.”
– mandy.m.morgan@aggiemail.usu.edu
USU CORNERBACK CAMERON SANDERS shows the medical brace he wears on his dislocated left elbow whenever he plays football. TODD JONES photo