Oklahoma State University Athletics
Arriving Early: Devante Averette
March 20, 2014 | Cowboy Football
March 20, 2014
STILLWATER, Okla. - "Arriving Early" features interviews with the early enrollees at Oklahoma State this spring. This edition includes an interview with junior linebacker Devante Averette, who arrived in Stillwater this spring after finishing his junior college career at Ellsworth CC. He is originally from Melvindale, Mich. His comments:
Linebacker Devante Averette
On his experience so far
"My experience has been fun. I'm just grateful for everything, from actually playing on turf and just being around great people with high expectations of me, and everything about Stillwater from the teachers to the coaches. They want to help and want to see you succeed. I got the chance to see Pro Day. Everything for me right now has been mind-blowing and I've just been grateful for everything."
On moving to the Division I level
"I've just been taking it in. I've never been anywhere like this. Our practice (at Ellsworth CC) field was named Rock Run, so actually stepping on turf, when I go out to the stadium and just look up in the stands, I get an overwhelming feeling that I made it here, but I've still got more work to do."
On the biggest difference between junior college and OSU
"For one, there were only a couple of stores where I was at. Everything was very, very small. Where I came from, there were only 1,500 to 2,000 people, so everything feels giant. From going up to meetings - in JUCO we went to the same rooms as the classrooms - to going to our own theater in the building, that was just crazy. We just had one practice field, so I am so grateful."
On what he's looking forward to
"I'm looking forward to just working hard. I'm planning on working hard for that number one spot and to elevate our team and be a leader. I want to earn my respect through fall camp and the spring, now. I just want to carry on my leadership day by day. Putting on that jersey - I've never had a jersey that had my name on the back - that's been a conquest I've been searching for. Just to have my name on a jersey and play for friends and family back home in Detroit, Michigan and getting wins. Going against Florida State is a big thing and I just want to put on that jersey for Oklahoma State and my city. That's what I'm looking forward to."
