Swervin’ Derrvin saves best for last
We’ve all heard the phrase “good things come to those who wait,” but what about, “good things come to those who work?” For senior running back Derrvin Speight, both statements are equally applicable, and after four seasons at Utah State, the benefits he’s reaped from that hard work and patience are starting to show.
“When we came in as coaches, Derrvin was the third-string running back, but that didn’t faze him,” offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin said. “He didn’t quit and he’s worked to get better. He’s been banged up and bruised but he never misses a practice.”
In his final season as an Aggie, Speight is getting his chance to shine, and he has used his indomitable work ethic to make his senior year an impressive one. Speight has rushed for 753 yards this season to go along with eight touchdowns, both career highs. He’s also set his career high for TD’s in a game and rushing yards in a game, and has consistently been a leader and catalyst in the Aggie offense.
“It’s kind of been both the opportunity to play and hard work. I’ve been successful just having the opportunity to showcase my talents, to get in there and play running back; play football,” Speight said.
Speight came to USU from MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, and after redshirting his first year, came in and made a big impact on the team. During his freshman season, Speight played in 11 games, starting six, and led the team with three touchdowns and 504 rushing yards – the third-most ever for a USU freshman.
After his stellar freshman season, Speight was forced to sit out his entire sophomore year with a foot injury. Coming back as a junior, Derrvin was ready to play, but the team personnel had changed, and the once-starter found himself as the third running back. That season he played in all 12 games and even started two, but his production took a big hit as he only had 42 carries for 210 yards and two TD’s.
For Speight, just the chance to get back on the field again after a year of injury was reward enough.
“I was honestly just happy to get back in pads and travel with the team and play the little role that I did,” Speight said. “I knew what I could do, it was just the situation we were in and I understood that, so I was just patiently waiting.”
Speight’s patience paid off. After an offseason knee injury to star running back Robert Turbin and a season ending injury to Michael Smith, Speight became the starting running back again.
“The way it turned out wasn’t actually a good thing, the way Turbin and Michael Smith got hurt,” Speight said. “But that’s football, so luckily this season I got to be the starting running back.”
Speight’s success though, has been anything but lucky. The opportunity presented itself to him, but the reason he was able to take full advantage of that opportunity was through hard work.
“He just grinds through everything,” sophomore teammate Kerwynn Williams said. “Sometimes he’s sore and everything, but he just grinds through it and goes out there and plays well. He runs the ball hard and he’s a tough guy.”
As hard as he works on the field, off the field Speight is a relaxed, laidback guy. Fellow running back Williams is with Speight on and off the field, and will be the first to tell you what Derrvin’s really like outside of football.
“Derrvin’s a funny guy,” Williams said. “He’s real chill. We’ll go over to his house and we just chill and he’ll crack jokes. He’s a real laidback guy.”
That laid-back attitude disappears as soon as Speight steps onto the field. As a senior and integral part of the Aggie offense, he is one of the unquestioned leaders of the team, but his leadership shows up in different ways, mainly through example and effort rather than pep talks and speeches.
“Derrvin comes out, practices hard, practices at full speed and practices with a great attitude,” Baldwin said. “The younger running backs, look to him and say ‘OK, if he does this on a daily basis, that’s what I got to do.'”
That leadership is seen by the players too.
“He doesn’t really talk a lot,” Williams said. “He talks mostly with how he plays.”
Speight’s numbers this season show the truth in those words, but the one game that really stands out in Speight’s stellar season came Oct. 3. In a nationally televised game against in-state rival BYU, Speight and the USU Aggies beat the cougars 31-16 for their first win against BYU in 17 years. In that intensely emotional game, Speight was at his best, rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Aggies to the impressive victory.
“Going into the BYU game I was excited to go out there and showcase what I could do,” Speight said. “We wanted to put on a show and we were able to come out with a win, so that was a big step in the right direction for us.”
Speight’s play in the BYU game showed a side of his running game that has improved throughout his career. Against the Cougars, both of his touchdowns came on one-yard runs, showing his increased physicality and ability to not only run in space, but also between the tackles.
“He’s become much more of a physical player,” Baldwin said. “In short yardage he’s more dynamic and he’ll lower his shoulder and get you the yard. He always can make you miss in space, but he’s really become a physical kid.”
USU will need that physicality this Saturday against Boise State. The Broncos are fourth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in points allowed, and their run defense has been nearly unbeatable, holding teams to only 90 yards rushing per game.
“They (Boise) are a great defensive football team with great leadership,” Baldwin said.. “Derrvin is going to have to have the game of his life.”
Win or lose, tomorrow’s game will be the last chance to see Speight suit up as an Aggie. Speight plans to graduate this spring and his career at Utah State will be over, but he’s hopeful his career on the gridiron will continue.
“The next step for me is obviously to graduate,” said Speight, who’s majoring in health education. “And then I’ll just get ready for the draft. Start running, working hard, hit the weights, and get my body prepared physically and mentally and hopefully get a shot to play in the NFL.”
But before he gets that shot, he’ll have left his mark on USU football. His hard work and determination are a legacy that younger players, present and future, would do well to follow. “Derrvin’s played,” Baldwin said. “He’s played hurt, played consistent and played darn good.”
– mark.israelsen@aggiemail.usu.edu