Doing what he can: Shackelford looks to help the Rebels from the sidelines

When Ole Miss linebacker D.T. Shackelford arrived his freshman year, his goal was to become the type of player Patrick Willis was with the Rebels.

Willis, who is now in the National Football League with the San Francisco 49ers, is considered by many to be the best linebacker in the NFL.

Shackelford played a valuable role his freshman season before breaking into the starting defense just a season ago. In 2010, Shackelford totaled 48 tackles with nine tackles for loss and five sacks as he was one of very few bright spots for the defense.

It looked as though Shackelford was starting to resemble his role model Willis, but then the unfortunate happened.

Shackelford went down in spring practice with a torn ACL just days before he was given the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, the 22nd player to receive the honor. But that didn’t stop him from doing everything he could to help his team.

Ever since the injury occurred, Shackelford has been like an extra coach on the sidelines.

“It’s just a new role I have to fill,” Shackelford said. “I can’t play physically, so I have to be mentally into the game and coach some of the younger guys.”

Shackelford said he took his role as an extra coach seriously.

“I’ve got to be more of a leader,” he said. “I’ve got to be in that role not only on the field, but off the field also.”

Although he said it’s hard for him at times to see his teammates playing without him, he knows he has to do everything he can to help the team win.

“I think (being more of a coach) was something that I was forced into,” Shackelford said. “I enjoy it, but I also love playing the game also. 

“It’s something I’ve had to get used to. Just because you can’t play doesn’t mean you can’t be a help to the team.”

Head coach Houston Nutt appreciates the way Shackelford remains a leader for the team, even if it is from the sidelines this season.

“Even though (D.T.) isn’t on the field, you appreciate his attitude,” Nutt said. “He’s almost like a coach – reiterating what Coach (Tyrone) Nix says. You really appreciate that.“

When not being a team leader, Shackelford is concentrating on getting back to his old self again as quickly as possible so he can return to action.

“I’ve been running some, doing squats,” Shackelford said. “I’m ahead. I’m doing a lot of things right now, so I’m feeling really good.”

He even hopes to play later this season.

“I hope to, but I’m not going to rush it,” Shackelford said. “You just have to stay positive and whatever happens, happens.”

Shackelford said he would not get back in the game until he is 100 percent.

“I’m about 70 percent,” the linebacker said. “I’m just doing whatever the trainers are asking me to do. I’m doing my training, jogging and lifting weights.”

But even without his presence on the field, Shackelford feels the Rebel defense has taken a big step forward from last season’s debacle.

“I see we are playing hard,” he said. “We’re trying to get in on every play and get 11 players to the ball.” 

Stressing getting every player toward the ball is important to improvement, Shackelford said.

“Every day you can only get better or worse, and I feel like each day we are getting better,” he said.

However in order to get better, someone is going to have to step up and provide depth at the linebacker position.

Fortunately, the Rebels have three freshman linebackers in C.J. Johnson, Keith Lewis and Serderius Bryant, all of whom have received praise all fall camp long from the coaches and Shackelford himself.

“I think they are going to be good,” Shackelford said. “They are going to be really good players for us in the future, and a lot of them will help us this year.”

The three freshmen still have room to improve, however, Shackleford added.

“I think they just sometimes get over anxious and want to make the play so bad,” he said. “They’ve got to know where they are in the scheme.” 

Shackleford said there is a scheme to everything.

“If one person gets out of this gap, you’ve got to make sure to fill it,” he said. “We all work together as one puzzle. I feel like that is a good thing for us.”

The junior linebacker did have some advice for the freshman class.

“I feel like they are all special players that will be really good if they just keep on working and don’t become complacent,” Shackelford said.