Jahmile Addae: Finding a Comfort Zone
September 18, 2003 03:01 PM | General
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September 13, 2003
Up until his junior year, fans of Riverview High could be found cheering WVU defensive back Jahmile Addae on a field other than football during the fall.
"I'm an ex-soccer player," says Addae.
The Valrico, Fla., native made noise on the soccer field for the Sharks for two seasons before he decided to concentrate on football. The move proved to be a good one as he was selected as a Florida all-star after helping lead Riverview to the state playoffs semifinal game. He recorded a solid 67 tackles and five interceptions his senior season.
When high school football was over, WVU was not the only one on Addae's list of possible schools when he had to make his decision where to play football. Schools such as Louisville, Iowa State and Central Florida were also recruiting Addae. However, when the decision had to be made Morgantown was the place for him.
"It was the best choice for me at that time," says Addae.
If Addae was looking to make an instant impact as a freshman his choice was the right one. After an injury had taken out veteran safety Rick Sherrod, Addae was called upon to start against nationally ranked Miami on October 25, 2001.
"There really isn't a tougher position than that," says defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel.
Addae responded with five tackles against the high-octane Miami offense and played in a total of five games in 2001 as a true freshman. The experience laid the ground for a breakout 2002 campaign in which he started all 13 games and recorded 64 unassisted tackles and 35 assists.
He also tied the WVU single game record for passes broken up against Rutgers (5) and is second in single season pass breakups with 16. Only Aaron Beasley has broken up more passes for the Mountaineers in a single season (1995).
"He played on a lot of athleticism last year," says Casteel.
The 2002 season was full of many highs for the Mountaineers but Addae says that the win that meant the most was WVU's 21-18 victory over Virginia Tech on November 20. On that night in Blacksburg, Va., Addae collected 13 tackles, second most in the game behind linebacker Grant Wiley.
"The environment was right and it made for a storybook ending," says Addae.
Addae says that the worst time spent on the field was during Maryland's 48-17 drubbing of the Mountaineers.
"We got embarrassed," flatly says Addae.
Addae believes that the good and bad experience he went through in 2002 should make him better in 2003.
"(Last season) helped my maturity and with me getting comfortable with the position I play," says Addae. "Free safety is like a quarterback and in order to be good at it you have to be comfortable."
Although Addae believes he has gotten better as a player he says that there is still room for improvement.
"At this level there are a lot of fast guys and you have to be able to see the whole field," says Addae. "The hardest part for me is being able to see the whole field with my eyes and use my peripheral vision."
According to Casteel, Addae's improvement is very visible.
"He's a physical guy on the run and he's improving as a pass defender," says Casteel.
Addae knows that the expectations from Mountaineer fans are raised for him and his fellow teammates this year. However, he doesn't feel that it will affect his play.
"After you do well there is a little pressure to repeat but I don't feel that there is any more pressure on me," says Addae.
Being an upperclassman the topic of leadership comes into play for Addae to take more responsibility this season. Taking a bigger leadership role and helping younger players is something that he is ready for.
"You have to expect that and take it as part of the game," says Addae.
Addae says that senior cornerback Lance Frazier has been the biggest help to him since arriving here two years ago. Frazier's guidance helped Addae through his learning process.
With all of the differences between Morgantown and his home in Florida, Addae feels that there is one thing that has been the hardest to adjust to.
"The cold weather," says Addae.
Besides the warm weather Addae also says that he misses playing high school football in the Tampa area.
"That is where I got my start," says Addae.
No bullseyes are placed on any team coming into this year by Addae. He says that there is only one thing that he is worried about.
"Just winning," says Addae.
Scott Castleman is a student assistant in the WVU Sports Communications office.
