THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408250735
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Derrick Steagall says he is not the bragging kind, so when he tells you that his goals are to win the Heisman Trophy and an Olympic medal in 1996, he feels confident he can do so.
Those familiar with the Georgia Tech football player's athletic abilities don't think his goals are unrealistic, either.
``He is a special talent,'' Georgia Tech coach Bill Lewis said. ``He can run the 40 in the 4.3 range. I've seen only one other guy, Herschel Walker, with that kind of speed.''
Steagall has yet to run outdoor track at Tech, but he won the 200 meters (21.07 seconds) and finished second in the 100 (10.46) at the high school nationals two years ago.
Blessed with speed and power, the sophomore from Newnan, Ga., may be the most dangerous offensive weapon in the ACC this season.
He has big-play potential every time he touches the ball, which should be often.
``He is 6-1, weighs 209 pounds and is as fast as anyone in the conference,'' Lewis said. ``Every time you put the ball in the hands of that kind of guy, you give him a chance to make a big play.''
Steagall's normal position is wide receiver. He also will be used as an inside receiver and at tailback, in addition to returning punts and kickoffs.
The planned workload only brings a smile to Steagall's face.
``I want the ball at least 20 times a game,'' he said. ``I want to get the ball in my hands and do things people don't think I can do.''
There isn't much his teammates don't think he can do, though.
``In one of our scrimmages,'' quarterback Tommy Luginbill said, ``a pitchout glanced off Derrick's face mask, and the ball bounced a couple of times in the midst of six defensive players.
``Derrick picked it up and turned the play into a 60-yard touchdown run. Everyone was looking at each other, like `What happened? I can't believe that.'
``Derrick was like a blur going down the field. You can do a lot of things with someone who has that kind of speed. We are going to give him the ball as much as we can without killing him.''
Steagall was recruited by almost every major school. He picked Tech for three reasons, including the opportunity to play quarterback.
He also wanted to stay near home and be close to the '96 Olympics, which Atlanta is hosting.
``Most schools recruited me as a defensive back,'' said Steagall, a four-sport star in high school, ``but Alabama and Michigan also wanted me as a quarterback.''
Steagall agreed to play receiver last year as a freshman to get playing time. This spring, he decided to give up his quarterback ambition and concentrate on being a receiver and tailback.
``He was going to have the chance to play quarterback this season,'' Lewis said. ``It was his decision not to do that.''
Steagall said the decision was based on what he thought was best for his chances to eventually play in the NFL.
Last year he was Tech's second-leading receiver with 24 catches for 385 yards.
But he was most effective returning kickoffs, leading the ACC with a 25.8-yard average that ranked 16th nationally. His longest return was for 50 yards against Virginia.
This year Steagall wants to lead the ACC in both kickoff and punt returns, rank among the top five in each category nationally and be among the nation's top 10 in receptions and all-purpose yardage.
``I want to make a name for myself in the ACC and the nation,'' Steagall said, ``and hopefully be a Heisman candidate in 1995.''
Steagall isn't setting high goals for just himself, either.
Asked for a prediction on Tech's season, he replied, ``We'll go 10-1, maybe 9-2.''
Steagall and Georgia Tech, which had 5-6 records the last two years, get an early chance for national attention.
The Yellow Jackets open the season next Thursday night on ESPN against an Arizona team ranked No. 1 in some preseason predictions. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Derrick Steagall
by CNB