University of Miami running back Eduardo Clements isn’t afraid of much — other than drugs, said his older sister and confidante, Valencia Brown.
He doesn’t like parties, either.
The one he stayed away from in July 2009 is the one in which his best friend, former Miami Booker T. Washington linebacker Anthony Smith, was shot and killed when a group of gunmen with high-powered weapons opened fire on a birthday celebration.
“We saw a lot of bad things growing up in Overtown, and he could have followed that path,” Brown said. “He’s not that kind of kid. He’s afraid of drugs, afraid of trouble.
“But when it comes to football, he’s fearless and focused.”
Clements, 20, nicknamed “OT” for Overtown, is certainly not afraid of competition. And he’ll be having plenty of it this summer, when newcomers Randy “Duke” Johnson and Danny Dillard join him, Mike James and Dallas Crawford in the quest to replace Lamar Miller as Miami’s featured tailback.
Miller ran for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011, but the Hurricanes still finished a dismal 71st nationally in rushing offense, averaging 145.6 yards a game.
“I like Eduardo,” UM coach Al Golden said Tuesday, the first day back after spring break. “He’s a guy that lights up the building. He’s got a lot of energy. He brings a swagger about him.”
Though James appears to be the leader in the race, Golden said Clements was consistently improving and the competition would continue through the fall.
“He’s good in pass protection,” Golden said. “He’s going to have to take a bigger role this year, obviously, with the departure of Lamar. … Eduardo Clements is going to be a really good player.”
Clements, a rising junior majoring in sports administration, played in all 12 games last season, with a sparse 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown — a 5.5-yard-per-carry average. He led all running backs with 14 catches for 163 yards.
But he is most remembered for his heroic plays that made the difference in UM’s 6-3 overtime victory at USF on Nov. 20.
The sophomore tailback, who never complained in fulfilling his coaches’ request to switch to cornerback for 2011 (before he was asked to switch back), had two huge third-down rushes in the final drive that allowed the Canes to run down the clock to set up the winning field goal.
“If you want an example of how to be a Miami Hurricane football player and what it means when we say, ‘Hey, if you want a promotion, master your current role,’ he’s done that,” Golden said.
At Booker T., Clements rushed for 3,105 yards and 50 touchdowns in four seasons, including his sophomore state-title year. He has a solid 195 pounds on his 5-9 frame and has considerably strengthened his legs this offseason. His squat has gone from 360 pounds as a freshman to his current squat max of 435.
What does he take from last season?
“To enjoy my time here while I have it,” he said. “I feel like some guys took college for granted and didn’t take advantage of their opportunities here. One good year would not be enough for me.
“My goal is to show coaches I can be an every-down back. I know Mike is a bruiser, and I’ve seen how good Duke is and how he can help us. The best guy is going to play, and if he’s better than me, he needs to be on the field.”
Valencia, a reading interventionist at Parkway Middle School, is one of Clements’ four sisters and two brothers from two families. His godparents brought him up from about age 5, when his mother, still in close contact with all of them, went through personal struggles. His godmother is a community involvement specialist at Henry E.S. Reeves Elementary in Miami. His godfather works for the Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department. They’re Mom and Dad to him, and attend all his home games.
“He’s a unique kid,” his sister said, “ready to face whatever comes his way.
“I’d say the only bad thing about Eduardo is he doesn’t like to wash clothes, so I have to take trips to UM to pick up dirty laundry.
“That’s OK. I’m very proud of the role in life he has taken. He always tells us, ‘I’m just waiting for my turn.’
“I hope he gets it.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/...clements.html#storylink=addthis#storylink=cpyhttp://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/...canes-eduardo-clements.html#storylink=addthis
He doesn’t like parties, either.
The one he stayed away from in July 2009 is the one in which his best friend, former Miami Booker T. Washington linebacker Anthony Smith, was shot and killed when a group of gunmen with high-powered weapons opened fire on a birthday celebration.
“We saw a lot of bad things growing up in Overtown, and he could have followed that path,” Brown said. “He’s not that kind of kid. He’s afraid of drugs, afraid of trouble.
“But when it comes to football, he’s fearless and focused.”
Clements, 20, nicknamed “OT” for Overtown, is certainly not afraid of competition. And he’ll be having plenty of it this summer, when newcomers Randy “Duke” Johnson and Danny Dillard join him, Mike James and Dallas Crawford in the quest to replace Lamar Miller as Miami’s featured tailback.
Miller ran for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011, but the Hurricanes still finished a dismal 71st nationally in rushing offense, averaging 145.6 yards a game.
“I like Eduardo,” UM coach Al Golden said Tuesday, the first day back after spring break. “He’s a guy that lights up the building. He’s got a lot of energy. He brings a swagger about him.”
Though James appears to be the leader in the race, Golden said Clements was consistently improving and the competition would continue through the fall.
“He’s good in pass protection,” Golden said. “He’s going to have to take a bigger role this year, obviously, with the departure of Lamar. … Eduardo Clements is going to be a really good player.”
Clements, a rising junior majoring in sports administration, played in all 12 games last season, with a sparse 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown — a 5.5-yard-per-carry average. He led all running backs with 14 catches for 163 yards.
But he is most remembered for his heroic plays that made the difference in UM’s 6-3 overtime victory at USF on Nov. 20.
The sophomore tailback, who never complained in fulfilling his coaches’ request to switch to cornerback for 2011 (before he was asked to switch back), had two huge third-down rushes in the final drive that allowed the Canes to run down the clock to set up the winning field goal.
“If you want an example of how to be a Miami Hurricane football player and what it means when we say, ‘Hey, if you want a promotion, master your current role,’ he’s done that,” Golden said.
At Booker T., Clements rushed for 3,105 yards and 50 touchdowns in four seasons, including his sophomore state-title year. He has a solid 195 pounds on his 5-9 frame and has considerably strengthened his legs this offseason. His squat has gone from 360 pounds as a freshman to his current squat max of 435.
What does he take from last season?
“To enjoy my time here while I have it,” he said. “I feel like some guys took college for granted and didn’t take advantage of their opportunities here. One good year would not be enough for me.
“My goal is to show coaches I can be an every-down back. I know Mike is a bruiser, and I’ve seen how good Duke is and how he can help us. The best guy is going to play, and if he’s better than me, he needs to be on the field.”
Valencia, a reading interventionist at Parkway Middle School, is one of Clements’ four sisters and two brothers from two families. His godparents brought him up from about age 5, when his mother, still in close contact with all of them, went through personal struggles. His godmother is a community involvement specialist at Henry E.S. Reeves Elementary in Miami. His godfather works for the Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department. They’re Mom and Dad to him, and attend all his home games.
“He’s a unique kid,” his sister said, “ready to face whatever comes his way.
“I’d say the only bad thing about Eduardo is he doesn’t like to wash clothes, so I have to take trips to UM to pick up dirty laundry.
“That’s OK. I’m very proud of the role in life he has taken. He always tells us, ‘I’m just waiting for my turn.’
“I hope he gets it.”
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/...clements.html#storylink=addthis#storylink=cpy
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