Glashen Saves His Best for Last
Dec 24 | Football
By Tom Luicci
ScarletKnights.com
DETROIT, MICH. - It would be perfectly understandable if Gareef Glashen wanted to pretend that last season never happened, that the year-long struggles endured by Rutgers' secondary were something to be filed away and forgotten forever.
But that's not how the Scarlet Knights' senior cornerback thinks.
"It's not just the good you learn from. It's the tough times, too," he said. "I think what I went through last year, what our whole defense went through, was something we were able to grow from. I think that experience helped make us better."
The fifth-year senior from Miami, Fla., will play his finally college game on Friday when Rutgers faces North Carolina in the inaugural Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field, but he's convinced it won't be his last time playing football.
Having come through a program that routinely produces NFL-caliber defensive backs, Glashen says he knows what it takes to be one. And the 5-10, 180-pounder is convinced his turn is next.
"I feel I've really grown as a player," he said. "There were a lot of plays I left out there, but that's part of the game. My goal was to be consistent and to be the best corner I could be for this team and I feel I was able to do that.
"This was the biggest jump I've made from one year to the next as far as production, and I went against some really good wide receivers this season. But I like playing against good people. It lets you know if the work you're putting in is paying off. I love the challenge and just to see where I'm at."
After starting just six games last year - though he played in 11 - Glashen started every game this season. He opened the year with a career-high eight tackles against Washington State, recorded a team-leading nine pass breakups and his 52 tackles were the second-most among Rutgers secondary players.
In almost any discussion of the Scarlet Knights' most improved player this year, Glashen's name is in the conversation.
"You always want to leave off your best season and when you're still improving and I think I'll be doing that," he said. "Who knows where my potential is at? I think I still have a lot of room to grow. I just want to see what I'm able to do. I want to see how good Gareef Glashen can be."
The Tar Heels figure to offer a final test with an up-tempo offense averaging 34.3 points and 459.7 yards per game - an average of 279.7 yards of that coming through the air.
For Glashen, it's exactly the type of parting opportunity he wants before setting his sights on playing at the pro level.
"I'm going to the NFL. I'll be in it," he said. "I've seen what an NFL cornerback is from being here and seeing all the guys we've sent to the league and I feel I'm one. I have the work ethic, I feel confident in my abilities and I know what it takes. So I feel I'll be there next year.
"I've got to put in the work and I've got to prepare. There's nothing guaranteed. I've got to go get it. I know that. But I'm going to go get it."
There will be, however, some uncertainty after Friday's game. It will be the first time in five years Glashen will no longer officially be associated with Rutgers football and the first time for as long as he can remember that his football-playing future is uncertain.
"I told myself and I wrote it down to remind myself on Dec. 27: Welcome to the real world. It starts Saturday," he said. "It's no more where everything is taken care of for me. I've got to go get everything myself, which will be something new for me. But I'm looking forward to it. I feel like I'm well prepared for it.
"I know what I want and I'm going to go after."
