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Defensive back flaunts flexibility

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By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2009

TAMPA - T.J. Mutcherson thinks he's a tad misunderstood. In a lot of ways, it's easy to understand why.

Mutcherson has plenty of body art - 21 tattoos in all. He wears flashy jewelry, including a gold grill that covers six teeth on the bottom row in his mouth. He drives around in a flashy car, a gold Chevy Impala equipped with 24-inch chrome wheels, tinted windows and a sound system that rivals a small dance club.

"When at first people look at me, they say, 'Ah, he's a gangster,'" Mutcherson said with a laugh, insisting his mother provides all the extravagancies so long as he lives up to his end of the bargain - do well in school and stay out of trouble. "Really, I just like to stand out."

Mutcherson, a senior at Freedom High, certainly stands out on the football field. He's one of the Patriots' most skilled and versatile athletes.

"He looks the part," first-year Freedom coach James Harrell said of the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Mutcherson, a legit Division I prospect who already holds scholarship offers from North Carolina, Central Michigan and Towson. "And he plays the part."

Mutcherson contributes on offense (as a wide receiver), defense (as a defensive back) and special teams (as a kick returner) for the Patriots, and he has shown the ability to excel in all three areas.

He has displayed good hands and is improving his route running as a receiver, Harrell said, which has led to his emergence as one of quarterback Tyler Guy's favorite targets. On defense, Mutcherson's not only capable of locking up with the opposition's top receiver as a cornerback, but he's also displayed a penchant for delivering big blows from his safety position. And in the return game, Mutcherson can use his speed, which "when healthy, he can go 80 (yards) in a hurry," according to his coach.

"He's a difference maker," Harrell said.

And a player willing to do all he can to make a difference wherever he's needed.

"Wherever Coach Harrell wants me to play, I'm going to get in that position and give it my all," Mutcherson said.

That's exactly what the Patriots need from Mutcherson if they are going to have a chance to reach the postseason for the second time in program history.

Freedom dropped its Class 5A-District 7 opener against Tampa Bay Tech on Oct. 9, which means the Patriots likely need wins in each of their final two remaining district games to make the playoffs. The first of those big district matchups comes Friday at neighborhood rival Wharton. The last district game is a Nov. 6 home game against Brandon.

Mutcherson will need to stand out these next few weeks and elevate his game for Freedom to reach its goals.

"He has to. They all have to pick up their game, though," Harrell said, referring to his entire team. "Hopefully they'll do that and we'll finish strong."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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