Hawgs Illustrated Gameday Extra
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1490595
9.24.2022 Position fliP Pays off for McGlothern scottie BorDelon wholehogsports.com FAYETTEVILLE — When Dwight McGlothern arrived at Klein Oak (Texas) High School ahead of the 2019 football season, seemingly everyone around Jason Glenn was talking about his program's new star- caliber player. Glenn, then the coach of the Panthers, whose football stadium sits north of Houston and roughly a 90-minute drive from Texas A&M's campus in College Station, was not well- versed in the first few years of McGlothern's prep career or the national recruiting love being thrown his way. The early word was that the still-budding athlete was a talent who could greatly impact both sides of the football. But at cornerback he was a natural. Glenn was already firm in his belief that Klein Oak already had quality cover corners. McGlothern, who according to MaxPreps had intercepted 11 passes at 2 schools in the last 3 varsity seasons, was asked if wide receiver piqued his interest. Before McGlothern's first practice at Klein Oak ended, Glenn knew he had struck gold. "He ran an out route and the ball was kind of behind him as he's running toward the sideline," Glenn recalled. "He kind of had to jump, flip his hips and reach back to catch it. I looked at my offensive coordinator at the time and thought, like, 'This dude is a receiver. He's playing receiver.' "I had some pretty decent receivers. When he came in he made those receivers so much better because of his swag and the way he played. He brought the receiving corps to another level. I think it was a level that they were afraid to get to. He absolutely brought them there." McGlothern was a star in his lone season at the school, leading the team in receiving and interceptions (4). Offensively, he caught 66 passes, 18 of the team's 25 passing touchdowns and accounted for 1,307 receiving yards. Add in kickoff, punt and interception return yards, McGlothern averaged 133.1 all-purpose yards per game. At receiver, he logged a long catch of at least 30 yards in 11 of 13 games, and in 6 games that number topped 50 yards. McGlothern was held out of the end zone just twice that season. Every other week he put on a show for those in attendance. On the Panthers' sideline, a light was cast on his personality and the swagger Glenn was fond of seeing. His post-score celebrations were must-see events. Glenn welcomed those moments of joy and the antics that brought smiles to fans and players on his roster. "Keep it on the sideline" was his only rule to the player nicknamed "Nudie." "He scored a touchdown one time, gave the ball to the ref, kept running and he went up to the starting line on the track, and he got there and put his hand down then starting running down the track," Glenn said with a burst of laughter. "That started it." McGlothern's initial routine was such a hit that others quickly got involved. After a touchdown the following week, a relay team was assembled. "He scored and ran to the sideline and they were all ready," Glenn said. "Nudie took off down the track and there was another receiver maybe 10 yards from him. He acted like he passed that receiver the baton, then that receiver grabbed it and ran it to another receiver on the track." When using the track that surrounded Klein Oak's home field as the stage for those celebrations finally ran its course, McGlothern had to become more creative. Another scene singed into Glenn's memory is the game of leap frog that broke out after McGlothern added six points to the scoreboard. What the coach appreciated about the performances is that McGlothern, a clearly superior athlete to many of his teammates, brought others along for the rides rather than turning them into solo acts. His energy, Glenn said, was infectious, felt throughout the school and the team's receivers, and lifted the play of the position as a whole. "I think it's in him. He knows he's a baller," said Glenn, who also once watched the defensive back dance with Klein Oak's principal after a score. "He knows that, and with that it comes from him knowing that he can make others better. I guess that swagger kind of went along with his celebrations. When everyone saw his celebrations, the place went crazy. "I think it's that swagger that can make everybody else better, and he knows it. The energy and the ability to make others better around him just by the way he plays and he practices, but also his personality, he makes people better around him." Since spring drills when asked about the LSU transfer, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman and teammates have relayed much of the same. McGlothern is also a gamer, Pittman said after a Week 1 interception against Cincinnati that was returned 51 yards. His two interceptions are tied for most in the SEC and he is tied for third with four passes defended. It should come as no surprise McGlothern is the Razorbacks' top-rated cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus, with a grade of 76.4. The mark is No. 6 in the league among those at the position with at least 95 snaps played. His 79.5 coverage grade leads all corners in the SEC. "I know when we played him last year, when we played LSU and he was over on the other side, he made some really good plays against us," Pittman said. "He's played ball. I trust him. I'm happy he's here, and I think he'll just continue to get better and better. "He seems to really enjoy it here, and he's a great kid to be around." In the same way great confidence is in McGlothern, so is playmaking. At Klein Oak, he was a true two-way standout, a player more than capable of slowing an opponent's star receiver all the while serving as an offensive catalyst. In late September 2019, Klein Oak defeated Conroe (Texas) High 29-25 to move to 3-1 thanks to the effort and determination of McGlothern. With his team facing fourth- and-26 after the offense twice shot itself in the foot on a key drive, Glenn saw McGlothern's want-to rise to the surface. Dwight mcglothern. an lsU transfer, has been a standout for Arkansas' defense. NwA Democrat-gazette/charlie Kaijo The Best Gutters You Will Ever Have. Period. Fall = Clogged Gutters Football LeafGuard brand by Englert is the original and only one-piece gutter system, with a built-in hood that covers the gutter bottom and deflects leaves and other debris. This unique, seamless design keeps debris from collecting in your gutters which: • Prevents clogs from forming • Keeps water flowing freely • Eliminates leaks and the threat of water damage • Makes climbing ladders to clean gutters unnecessary 479-221-9599 | 888-419-4906 www.leafguardandmore.com Best of Northwest Arkansas the C A L L T O D AY www.fayettevilleautopark.com C M Y CM MY CY CMY K see McGlothern, page 4