Sept. 1, 1999
Columbia, Mo. - Every child has a dream growing up. Many want to be teachers. Some want to be doctors and lawyers. And now, many children want to be professional athletes. Athletics has become a huge part of daily life.
For senior cornerback Carlos Posey, his dream since grade school was to play football for the Tigers. The Tigers of Louisiana State, that is. He wanted to stick close to home and family and earn his degree, but above all, play football.
Now in his final year at Mizzou, the Baton Rouge, La., native has accumulated some great memories as a Missouri Tiger. Most notably would be his blocked field goal turned touchdown in last year?s Insight.com Bowl win. Fellow senior Jeff Marriott blocked a West Virginia field goal in the first quarter. Posey then returned the ball 70 yards for the touchdown. Brian Long?s point-after attempt was good and put Missouri up 7-0.
?I just saw the ball blocked,? Posey said. ?I made sure to get the ball in my hands. Then I saw the endzone and just went for it.?
While attending Tara High School in Baton Rouge, Posey?s dream was to attend LSU. However, when things didn?t fall that way, he gladly accepted a scholarship to play at Mizzou instead. The LSU Tigers should regret letting Posey fall through their recruiting system. Prior to this season, Posey has accumulated 87 total tackles (60 solo and 27 assists). He has forced and recovered two fumbles and intercepted one pass for 61 yards.
?It has been great to be a part of (the football tradition), and it?s only going to get better,? Posey said.
Not only has Posey been a part of the Mizzou football tradition, but he has also made great strides on the track as well. As a junior, he won the 55m dash at the MU/KSU/KU Triangular, his first race since high school and was a 1999 all-Big 12 honoree in the 60m dash, finishing in fifth place.
He went on to become a NCAA Provisional Qualifier in both events, posting a 6.26 in the 55m and a 6.70 in the 60m. The amazing thing is that he qualified for both before ever training with the track and field team.
?I love (football and track). It?s not really difficult (participating in both sports),? Posey said. ?Football is just more intense.?
Participating in both sports seems to have given Posey somewhat of an edge. He is the fastest player on the football team, posting 4.29 speed in the 40. With that speed, Posey has become a great play-breaker. Last season he scored three touchdowns?a 65-yard fumble return, an interception for a 61-yard return and the 70-yard blocked field goal return. He was also named ?player of the week? at Ohio State when he made nine unassisted tackles.
Ideally, with all of his accolades, Posey?s next goal would be to set foot on a professional football field. Unfortunately, for his counterparts last season?Caldrinoff Easter, Wade Perkins and Harold Piersey?the NFL dream did not become a reality. Fortunately for Posey, he does not see professional football as the only thing in his future.
?I would love to make it to the next level of play,? Posey said. ?But regardless, I want to excel in my degree (general agriculture).?
In the meantime, however, Posey is fulfilling a dream. That dream contains goals that are very achievable. He wants to concentrate on getting his team to the next level, meaning another bowl game. Another bowl win would be nice too. But most importantly, he wants to feel that sense of camaraderie that goes hand-in-hand with a winning football tradition. ?I just want (all of the players) to get to know one another throughout the season. I want us to play until the whistle is blown,? Posey said.
With that goal, Posey proves that it truly is ?A great time to be a Tiger!? Missouri Tiger, that is.
Written by Heather Plumb of MU Sports Information