Lamar product Michael Hamlin let one game decide his future. Before the Chick-fil-A Bowl, he told himself, if he played well, he'd go to the NFL Draft. If he played poorly, he'd return for his senior season. Seeing him back in purple and orange this weekend, you can tell what he thought about his performance.
Hamlin is the Tigers defensive captain for the second season. Tommy Bowden says you can tell a lot about how good of a leader is by how the team voted him captain his junior season. "It tells a lot about his character," says Bowden. "It also tells a lot about the 18 or 19 years prior to him coming to campus."
Hamlin was projected to be about a fourth round pick if he was to go pro last year. He also twinged his knee in Atlanta, and felt more comfortable coming back for his senior year, then tryout for the draft. But the former Silver Fox says his main reason for coming back, was his love for his teammates, and a chance to win an ACC title.
The senior safety has always been known as a silent leader - even way back when he won two state titles in Lamar under J.R. Boyd. But he's become more vocal has he's become more comfortable with his teammates. "I'm more of a quiet leader, I let my playing do the talking," says Hamlin. "But if I have to talk, I do."
Hamlin is hoping that his actions will speak louder than words in 2008.
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