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Model of consistency
Ex-Bruin Cockburn solid Furman starter
Heath Cockburn will take his final snaps as a Furman University football player Saturday when the Paladins host Wofford in a Southern Conference game that will also be the season finale for both teams.
It will mark the end of a college career in which the senior offensive lineman has been a more than dependable player for the Paladins, the last act for a four-year contributor who, since redshirting as a freshman, has played in every game and is expected to make his 34th consecutive start when the Terriers (3-7, 2-5) — for whom former Dalton standout Drew Parks, also a senior, plays — come to Greenville, S.C.
A 2005 Northwest Whitfield High School graduate who was one of several standout linemen for the Bruins when they contended for a region title and won the first state playoff game in program history in 2004, Cockburn entered this season as Furman’s most experienced returning offensive lineman, with 1,732 plays to his credit, and earned second-team honors for the Coaches Preseason All-SoCon lineup.
That’s quite a bit to reflect on, but the 6-foot-1-inch, 281-pound right guard hasn’t really spent much time doing so. After all, the Paladins (5-5, 4-3) have another game to play, a chance to secure a winning record — they haven’t finished below .500 since 1998 — and Cockburn’s work is not yet done.
Then again, that’s kind of how you get to the place at which Cockburn is anyway. Complete the task, think about what it all means later.
“I’ll keep the main focus on who we have this week,” Cockburn said in a recent phone interview. “But it’s been in the back of my mind.”
While the magnitude of what he’s been able to accomplish or that it’s coming to a finish may not have fully registered with Cockburn, he knows it’s been an important time in his life and that he’s gained much from the past five years.
“First and foremost, it’s the education,” said the 22-year-old Cockburn, who completed his undergraduate studies in health and exercise science this past May. “That’s been a good thing outside of football. As far as football, I’ve met a lot of good guys and found some good friends on the team. I’ve played for some good coaches.
“I feel like it’s taught me to manage my time very well, because football is so time-consuming, and that will help as far as being disciplined in life.”
In Cockburn’s five years at Furman, the Paladins have compiled a 37-22 record, finished second twice in the Southern Conference and earned two trips to the NCAA’s Division I Football Champion-ship Subdivision (formerly known as I-AA) playoffs.
To be able to contribute to that success, however, Cockburn had to make some of the adjustments every student-athlete does from high school to college. For him, one important step was doing the conditioning work it took to improve his strength, quickness and physicality on the line.
“I think what helped me out a lot over the first couple years there was getting into better shape overall,” said Cockburn, who has managed to avoid any major injuries since sitting out most of his junior season at Northwest with a torn ACL. “I dropped about 15 pounds from when I first reported to now, which has helped out a lot.”
After playing in a run-heavy scheme at Northwest, Cockburn also had to adjust to the balanced offensive style of the Paladins, who as of last Saturday’s 30-22 win at Georgia Southern — their third victory in four years against the Eagles and second in a row in Statesboro — had 311 rushing vs. 310 passing attempts.
As far as Cockburn’s former high school coach is concerned, he has made that adjustment extremely well.
Northwest coach Mike Falleur said when Cockburn was in high school, one of the things he enjoyed watching most was when Cockburn and Colby Bryant would double-team a defender. Falleur was similarly treated to a show of dominance when he watched Furman win 38-20 at Tennessee-Chattanooga earlier this season, but this time Cockburn did the damage all on his own.
“He flat wore down the guy he was blocking,” Falleur said. “I watched the entire game and I saw him miss two blocks.”
But any success by the former Bruin doesn’t come as a surprise to Falleur, who said he could always count on Cockburn to show up and give his best for workouts, practices and games. That’s a credit, Falleur said, to both Cockburn and the teaching given by his parents, Bruce and Sherrie Cockburn.
Even when they’re expected, though, good results at the next level don’t get old for Falleur.
“It makes you proud to see those kids go off and do good and know they’re going to make their lives better,” Falleur said. “They’re getting a college education and all the experience they’ve had playing football — good and bad — makes them better people as they become adults.”
The next step is uncertain for Cockburn, who said he may pursue work as a personal trainer, but is still weighing his career options.
Whatever he chooses to do next, those who work with him probably don’t have to worry about whether he’ll give his best to the job.
“It’s just kind of the way I’ve been raised,” Cockburn said. “My family’s been strong about it, that if you do something, you do it to the fullest potential you have. You don’t quit on what you plan to do. That’s been instilled upon me since I can remember.”
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A keen work ethic
Misty Watson/ The Daily Citizen
This is Kolby Keener’s school year — athletically speaking — at Murray County High School: It’s softball in August, but before that season is barely cold in the books, it’s time for basketball. After the hardwood season concludes, it’s off to travel softball, which ends for her in late May.
Continued ...
Then, it’s time for a summer break.
Oh, wait. There’s no time for relaxation.
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