Marcus Calvin turning heads among a deep group of defensive tackles
Kansas defensive tackle Marcus Calvin is starting to turn heads in fall camp, earning praise from defensive line coach Jim Panagos for the work he’s put in since their spring meeting. Calvin arrived in Lawrence with raw talent and now finds himself pushing for a spot in the Jayhawks’ defensive rotation.
“Honestly, the mindset has not changed,” Calvin said. “When I first got here, I wanted to work, I wanted to get better. But now I realize that I’m working for a bigger cause. I’m playing not only for myself, not only my family, but I’m playing for the whole KU football.”
Some of his progress can be traced to a spring meeting with defensive line coach Jim Panagos.
They talked about what needed to be worked on.
“Things he needed to work on like blow delivery, being more heavy-handed, playing with a lower flat back, just stuff like that,” Panagos said. “One thing about Marcus is that he’s worked really hard and that he was ready to go help us.”
Improving in the weight room
Coming out of high school, Calvin didn’t have a deep background in strength training. He said in the past between playing basketball and lack of training in high school he did not get a lot of time in the weight room. That changed quickly under Kansas strength coach Matt Gildersleeve.
“Different body. Completely different person,” Calvin said. “I feel like I have a better, not only body physically, but I think I got better or more mature mentally. Coach Sleeve, Coach Chula, Coach E (Scott), the whole strength and conditioning staff did a real good job pouring into me. They gave me the mindset I needed to have to be the player and person I want to be.”
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The offseason transformation got extra meaning on a challenge from Panagos during that post-spring meeting. Calvin remembers the message clearly.
“He was just saying he wanted me to get more explosive, be more heavy-handed, and be more physical. Just win more one blocks,” Calvin said. “I took that in. I came and was urgent with trying to close the gaps.”
Good chemistry in the room
The jump from high school football in Florida to Big 12 competition was more than just about size and speed.
“Not only just the physicality, but the technical and the things some players could do with their bodies, just honestly outright insane,” Calvin said. “I realized that everybody is different. Sometimes it’s a God-gifted talent or things you just cannot coach. Everybody has their own role. That’s the biggest difference right now.”
Calvin expects the defensive line to be deep and talented. He said they are always vocal and have good chemistry in their room.
“We have very bright personalities in our room,” he said. “We genuinely love playing football with the guys we play with and always be the ones bringing the energy. Whether it’s the corners talking, the DBs talking, we are still on the field, and we gotta let them know we’re out there at all times.”
Video of Calvin’s interview
Watch more from Calvin in his meeting from today featuring the defensive tackles.
