Notre Dame CB Chance Tucker Focused on Growth, Making Plays
Life is about patience and college football perhaps tests a person more than most sports.
Junior cornerback Chance Tucker has demonstrated patience over his first two seasons, but he’s trusted the process and himself.
The California native has played in just one game during his time in South Bend, but Tucker has never let his confidence fall.
“I’ve always been a confident guy,” Tucker stated. “It’s not a difference for me. I’m always going to be how I am and have the same confidence. I got more opportunities last year, traveling and stuff.”
Tucker also seems to have found comfort in the boundary this spring as cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens has seen the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder take steps forward.
“We’ve had him in the boundary a lot this spring,” explained Mickens. “You can see the growth from last year to this year. He’s only going to get better. He has done a lot of good things. I know he hasn’t played a lot of ball, but I treat him as more of a veteran and understanding what we want in the system versus a new guy like Christian Gray.”
Why is there comfort in the boundary for Tucker? It starts with physicality, but don’t think Tucker can’t play to the field as he’s also confident in his ability to play in space.
“We press a lot,” stated Tucker. “I like to press. I can definitely do both but I’d say my preference is boundary because I like to my hands on people. To the field, I feel like use more your feet and you can in your backpedal, open up and run. But I played both and I'm confident in both.”
Mickens has also seen Tucker gain an understanding that his time could come at any point.
“Understanding that he’s a play away, that’s the biggest thing,” Mickens said. “You want to create great depth in the room and play multiple guys in the room. How you earn that is obviously out there, but him understanding that he’s a play away makes you focus a little bit.”
The next step for Tucker will be to carry his momentum into the summer and continue to make plays in fall camp.
“I feel like I need to make the most of my opportunities,” said Tucker. “Definitely made more plays on the ball and that's my main thing just making plays on the ball is trying to get that ball whether it's a pick, strips, or anything. Just make plays on the ball. And you know deny my man just don't want my man in zone or man to catch anything.”
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