Aug. 12, 2002
LOGAN, Utah - Each day of football practice from August 7-August 23, two Aggie football players will be featured in press releases and on the USU website at www.UtahStateAggies.com.
Jamar Glasper S, 6-1, 201, Sr., Las Vegas, Nev. (Green Valley HS)
Utah State safety Jamar Glasper is pretty easy to find on the football field. Just look where the football is and the chances are pretty good that number four is right there.
The senior showed his knack for being around the football last season, finishing second on the team in tackles with 77 and being involved in five turnovers. One thing that has eluded him in his Aggie career has been an interception as he has gone three years without a pickoff.
However, after recording 60 tackles as a starter as a sophomore, he responded and stepped up even more in 2001. He forced three fumbles, recovered two more and broke up two passes. Glasper earned the team's Golden Helmet Award as the team's hardest hitter.
"He is basically a lot of energy for us as far as the guy that we think the opponents have to account for," said defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson. "He is a guy we use in a lot of different ways to get him around the football."
Glasper spent the offseason away from the football as he sat out spring practice after having a shoulder operation after the 2001 season. Glasper is healed and ready to go this year.
"It feels good," Glasper said after the second day of two-a-day practices. "I felt a little bit rusty that first day, but it feels great and I am happy to be out here and look forward to contributing to the team."
Glasper is one of just six Aggies that have earned three letters and he is considered a team leader.
"I want to perform well and help the team out," he said. "I would like to leave with a winning record. I want the team to do well. I want to be a leader when I am called on. I want to be a role model for the freshman and be a positive influence on the team."
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Ade Jimoh CB, 6-1, 190, Sr., Woodland Hills, Calif. (El Camino Real HS)
Playing cornerback is a little bit similar to being an official in the fact that nobody really notices you until you make a mistake. Utah State senior cornerback Ade Jimoh, is set to return to the corner after missing last spring due to a shoulder injury.
A three-year letterman, Jimoh is set to start at the corner for the third straight year. Jimoh earned second-team all-Big West honors in 2000 when he had 46 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes broken up. Last season in nine games, he recorded 39 tackles and added three passes broken up.
Jimoh prepared hard for his final season, bulking up in the weight room and improving his leg strength. Last week he posted the best vertical leap on the team with a jump of 41".
"I worked on my calf work and leg work," Jimoh said of his summer workouts. "I recorded a personal record on my power cleans and my squats went up so my legs got a lot stronger.
He was asked how he felt after two-a-days began.
"I feel stronger, but when two-a-days get going a little bit of that strength starts seeping away," he explained.
"He missed all spring and he is trying to get his feet back underneath him, but he is working hard," said defensive back coach Derrick Odom. "He dinged his ankle a little bit the other day, but he played through it and that is good to see out of him, being a senior and a leader and he realizes that. He is getting better everyday, but it is going to take a lot of repetitions to get what he missed from the spring back. Hopefully by the end of two-a-days he will feel comfortable with himself and go compete and get the ball out of the air.
Jimoh understands his role, isolated on the corner and being counted on by the team.
"It is a team sport and I want to hold up my end of the bargain," he said. "I want to do what I have to do and complete my assignments. I don't want to mess up and have to have my teammates have to help me."
And after sitting out the spring, he is ready for the season opener against Utah on August 31.
"I want to win the first game and then take it after that," Jimoh said.
