Athlete of the Issue: Sebastian LaRue

At 5’11” and 188 pounds, varsity football captain Sebastian LaRue does not take his height as a disadvantage. According to him, being smaller than his teammates is not a threat.“I look at it from a positive standpoint. I am faster and I react quicker,” LaRue said.Inspired by his older brother, LaRue joined the Inglewood Jets, a club football team, at age 12, starting a new life with football. From ages 12 to 18, LaRue has been practicing football non-stop.“From the moment [LaRue] stepped on the field, you could recognize the athlete-like characteristics displayed in him,” varsity football coach Travis Clark said. “The football coaches and I knew we had someone good on our hands. We were excited to work on him and make him the player he is today.”LaRue has received countless admission offers from colleges like Ohio State University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).  He was also selected to play in the Under Armour All-Star game. The All-Star game consists of the top senior football players around the country. LaRue is ranked as the 150th recruited football player according to the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN).According to LaRue, after some thought, he committed to the University of Southern California (USC) on June 21.“Thinking about what every college has to offer, I wanted to stay around my home and the town I have grown up in my whole life,” LaRue said. “[USC] is a dream school to me and I am so excited for the journey I have coming.”Focusing on the present, LaRue must bring the team together and motivate them before games and during practice.“I try and keep everyone level-headed. I remind the team that we are all equal and important to the game,” LaRue said. “I am not only a teammate to the Vikings, I am a brother.”According to LaRue, he values advice from many. Position coach Sean Weston inspires LaRue to “stay in the game.”“Weston’s work ethic and mentality toward football makes me so passionate about the sport. It’s not just a game, it’s an obsession” LaRue said.LaRue, having played multiple positions in the game, also strives to emulate ex-pro football player, Deion Sanders. Sanders also played numerous positions, primarily cornerback, but also running back and wide receiver on multiple teams including the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. Along with Sanders amongst LaRue’s  inspirations is football player DeSean Jackson on the Philadelphia Eagles.Above all, LaRue is thankful for all the support and coaching he has received through the years. According to LaRue, Clark especially has made LaRue a better, more defensive player and always pushes him and reminds him to recognize his talent.“[LaRue] is such an important part of our team. He is such an explosive athlete — one of the top athletes in the country and a great leader,” Clark said. “Our football program is privileged to have him.”Players on the team are grateful to have LaRue, who has scored five touchdowns so far this season.“[LaRue] is such an important part of our team. I don’t know what we would do without such a great player and motivational guy,” teammate senior Matthew Rusk-Kosa said.According to Rusk-Kosa, LaRue’s ability to run the ball down the field is what helps the team most.“He is a key player to the team; whenever he is on the field, he can always take it to the end zone and score,” teammate and senior Nick Cardiel said. “It doesn’t matter if it is a two yard slant, he can take it down 60 yards, which is why he is such a factor.”LaRue has hopes of playing football in the future after college. He loves the sense of family the team creates and breathing under the Friday night lights.“The more I play, watch and think about the sport, the more I love and enjoy it,” LaRue said. “I can positively say that I can see myself playing football down the road.”bweiss@thesamohi.com