Yesterday, on my weekly appearance with Dan Scott and his radio show, Marcus Gilchrist came in and spent the entire two-hour stretch in the studio with us.
It was a cool experience on a number of levels. The unfortunate trends in media access these days generally produce an ideal of controlled environments with brief interaction and predictable, canned answers. So when you have an opportunity to sit down with a guy for two hours, it's an extraordinary and valuable occurrence.
Gilchrist also happens to be one of the more impressive people I've covered here at Clemson. Not because he's a great quote or has an entertaining, bubbly personality, but because he's just a solid dude.
From a media standpoint, so often our list of favorite people to cover is strictly defined by who fills up our notebooks. That's unfortunate in some ways, because it unfairly overlooks some success stories of guys who just happen to be more reserved and soft-spoken.
Gilchrist has always been solid physically, consistent on the field. But he also has always struck me as solid as a rock mentally as well, and that notion was confirmed during the time he spent with us on the radio yesterday.
Gilchrist's parents are still married. His father is a former Marine. His strong foundation, which includes a strong Christian faith, played a large role in shaping the impressive person he is today.
There were bigger stars than Gilchrist during his time at Clemson. Spiller. Bowers. McDaniel. Ford. But having guys like Gilchrist on a team provides an essential intangible.
Gilchrist is pretty good at the tangible stuff, too. He's played multiple positions in the defensive backfield over his career, and that versatility has made him an attractive commodity in this year's NFL Draft. It sounds like he's a potential second- or third-round pick, and don't be surprised if he's the second Tiger selected after Bowers.
His versatility, his ability to play the run, his ability to return punts and kickoffs are all things that the draft folks like. And you have to think his stock is also helped by what's between his ears.
One general manager said Gilchrist is "one of the smartest defensive backs I've been around," according to the National Football Post.
The character issue is a big deal these days, and so often you hear about guys whose questionable character costs them spots on the draft ladder and millions of dollars.
Gilchrist represents the other side of that -- the refreshing side, where you talk to a guy and just know he'll be a success in football or whatever he chooses.
Best of luck to Marcus in his life after Clemson.
LW
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