Baker electrifies JMU special teams

Amy Paterson / photo editor Freshman wide receiver L.C. Baler avoids a tackle against Lock Haven University in the Dukes' season opener last Saturday. Baker set a JMU single game record returning eight punts for 116 yards. He also caught one pass for 15 yards.

Freshman wide receiver L.C. Baker set a JMU single game record Saturday night, returning eight punts for 116 yards against Lock Haven University.

Racking up records and collecting awards isn’t new to Baker though; it’s seemed to become a hobby of his. While attending Armstrong High School in Richmond, the now 18-year-old was an All-District and All-Region wide receiver and kick returner.

As a senior, Baker was named All-Metro wide receiver and All-State kick returner, all while leading his region with 71 catches for 1,367 yards and six touchdowns.

Transitioning from high school to college football can be a big adjustment, with harder practices, classes, and more homework to keep up with. Yet, Baker says, he has adapted to the change.

"You have to manage your time a lot more, but practice is practice," Baker said.

In college football, there are "true" freshmen and then there are "red-shirted" freshmen. A red-shirt freshman already has completed a year of academic classes. As a true freshman, Baker hasn’t completed a semester yet.
Many coaches red-shirt freshmen to better prepare them for college football. However, some true freshmen, like Baker, earn the right to play right away.

A true freshman like Baker, who shows a high level of maturity and has the ability to learn assignments and put them to use on the field, is hard to come by.

"For a true freshman to play major college football, you have to be extremely mature and that’s what L.C. brings to the table," coach Mickey Matthews said. "Sometimes it’s different for freshmen to take what they learn in the meeting room out onto the field. He has the ability to do that, which is very positive."

While recruiting, coaches often keep certain attributes in mind. The physical ability to make big plays is high atop their list, along with high academic standards, Matthews said.

"L.C. has tremendous ability to make big plays," Matthews said. "Football is a game of big plays; anytime you have the ability to recruit someone to make big plays, it’s a very positive thing."

As a freshman, working with an entire field of veterans can be frustrating and intimidating. Coaches tend to give extra leeway for rookie mistakes. But Baker doesn’t seem intimidated and doesn’t want the extra help.

"I want them to treat me like the rest of the upperclassmen," Baker said. "That’s the only way that I’ll get better. I don’t think I should be here if I had come intimidated."

With his strong will to succeed and his ability to make big plays, Baker brings with him a passion for the game.

"Everyone’s on the same page," Baker said. "Right now I just bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm and, with a lot of other players, we should be good."

With a great attitude and good knowledge of the game, his coaches say Baker is a well-rounded student-athlete.

"He’s an intelligent person on every level," wide receivers coach Tony Tallent said. "He’s well spoken, he has a great demeanor and good knowledge of the game."

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