Leader of the Pack
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By Allison Crowe
Virginia Athletics Media Relations
Just like any fourth-year student, Nate Lyles is preparing himself for the not-too- distant walk down the Lawn that he will take next May with his graduating classmates. But while ordinary fourth-years are hectically submitting their resumes or eating that last Gusburger, Lyles has other things to worry about, at least for now. A safety in the Cavalier secondary for four years, Lyles, always known for his hard-hitting style of play, has now evolved into a dynamic leader as well, a role that he welcomes.
“I’ve been trying to be a leader the whole time I’ve been here,” Lyles said. “I like working with all the guys on defenseeven the guys who are newer at positions or who haven’t played that many snaps. I just want to try to get everyone to work together as much as possible and be cohesive.”
His teammates have noticed and responded to his dedication to this additional responsibility.
“He’s a very vocal leader and energetic person,” cornerback Chris Cook said. “He tries to bring people’s emotions up during practice and on the field. Whenever people get down, he tries to bring them up.”
Lyles and Cook, starting together for the second year in a row, have already been big contributors, combining for 28 total tackles through two games.
“We know where each other is going to be,” Cook said, “and we trust each other enough to know that we are going to be able to get our jobs done.”
Lyles is committed to exactly thatgetting the job donein order to push the Cavaliers in a winning direction, even if he’s not playing at all. During training camp, Lyles, unsatisfied with his performance, made an unprecedented gesture. After practice, he went to the equipment room and asked to turn in the Orange Crush defense practice jersey worn by those slated to start.
“I felt as if I wasn’t playing at the level that the rest of the team was, or at least the level I expected myself to be at,” Lyles said. “I’ve been playing for four years so I expected to be playing at a higher level coming into camp. I chose to do it before the coaches did.”
Lyles worked with the coaching staff on the areas he was having difficulty with and quickly patched up any problems. It wasn’t long before he donned the orange jersey again. It is this humility and unselfish acceptance of responsibility that has not only kept Lyles in the starting lineup since his second year, but also garnered him the respect and admiration of his teammates.
“He’s an exciting player,” Cook said. “He has a way of talking people into doing things. I don’t know how he does it, but he does it.”
Perhaps Lyles’ excitement stems from his desire to play a season without setback. His 2005 season came to an early end after he suffered a concussion against Georgia Tech and spent the rest of the season rehabbing.
He returned to the starting lineup last season, a campaign which resulted in a 5-7 record and no bowl invitation. This time around, Lyles is excited to use his experience of three years to help stave off another disappointing season. As a part of the Cavaliers’ last line of defense, Lyles recognizes the dire necessity of preventing high-gain plays, no matter what happens up front. He feels comfortable with the defense’s experience level, playing alongside long-time starters such as Cook and defensive end Chris Long.
“I think a lot of guys are in the same positionwe’ve all taken a lot of snaps and we’re more experienced now,” Lyles said. “We’ve really grown and learned from our mistakes. The same things that happened last year won’t happen again.”
Lyles cites his team’s cohesiveness and dedication to each other as its strongest qualities, and what he’ll miss the most after he leaves UVa in the spring. He feels fortunate to have spent three years in the locker room and on the field with people who have become his closest friends.
“I’ve had the opportunity to go out there for three years with these guys,” Lyles said. “These are guys that will fight for you and won’t give up on you. You’ve got 104 people, and everyone has different personalities and hobbies. I’ve loved getting to know so much about my teammates over the years, both on and off the field.”
He describes college as a place where most students seek out a “family-type” atmosphere, and he’s found one with Virginia football. He describes his time with the program as all-encompassing, one from which he struggles to pick out a few select highlights because the overall experience has been so rewarding. Like many fourth-years, he gets nostalgic thinking about what it’s going to be like when college and his last football season are no longer.
“In three months, it’s just not going to be the same,” he said. “I’m still going to be here, but the season is going to be over. The guys will see me and say hey, but then they’ll start thinking of me as the guy that used to play, and it is really sad.”
Lyles insists his football experience has been valuable beyond comparison for other reasons as well. A multiple-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, and track), Lyles always found something more alluring in football. He finds the high-pressure football environment unmatched in sports, and its demands on playersthe need for commitment, execution and a sense of urgencythe perfect means toward preparing him for other aspects of college life.
“A lot of things I’ve learned in football have helped me in the classroom,” Lyles said. “You have to get things done in football, and in class, you are going to have deadlines to meet as well. You can’t say, Oh man, I give up.’ There is no giving up out there, so you learn you can’t do it in class either. You do whatever you have to do.”
While many fourth-year students spend their time attempting to incorporate as much fun into every day as possible, many also dedicate themselves to doggedly pursuing employment. Lyles is confident that he’ll be just fine after he leaves in May, and he has head coach Al Groh’s program to thank. Groh focuses heavily on “reaching the next level,” whether in a football capacity or not. Lyles does hope to continue in footballboth playing and coachingafter leaving UVa, but he recognizes he will be able to take away more than just football skills from Groh’s tutelage“an endless list of things,” in fact.
“I can’t even describe how much being a football player helps you in life,” Lyles said. “It also has been particularly helpful having Al Groh as a coach. He’s one of the most approachable coaches. I know that if I want the best advice, I should go to him. Everything about his program has helped me realize that I am ready for life after college.”
This season, Lyles will be doing everything for the last time: he will make his last tackle, cause his last fumble, make his last interception, put on the orange and blue for the last time, and if he has anything to do with it, travel to his last bowl game. When he walks the Lawn for the last time as a UVa undergraduate, he will walk with the knowledge that he was a Cavalier football player.
So whether it’s as immediate of a concern as tracking down a wide receiver or something more lingering like preparing for graduation, Lyles will be able to tackle each challenge with the poise and strength of a leader. He’s ready for this.