El Dorado receivers’ coach Ryan Theyard played cornerback at Jackson State from 2016-2019, graduating a year before NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders took over the program.
Theyard understands the importance of speed in football. He was asked the difference between track speed and football speed.
“Track speed translates to the football field. Football speed doesn’t always translate to the track,” he answered. “My thing would be in advising athletes, make sure you run track because that speed, that technique and form you get from running track translates and improves your game playing football.”
Senior receiver DeAndra Burns, Jr., won the 6A state championship in the 100 meters in the spring. He enters this season as one of the fastest prep athletes in the state.
When asked Burns’ greatest physical attribute, Theyard never mentioned his speed.
“He’s a go-getter,” Theyard said. “Once he sees the ball in the air, it’s his name on it. It’s DeAndra Burns, that’s who the ball is in the air for. He’s one of those kids who attacks the football. He’s not going to sit there and wait for the football, try and let the defender make a play on it. When it’s in the air, he’s going to get it. He wants the ball.”
Burns verbally committed to play football and run track at Arkansas State University. Theyard just finished covering receivers at that level. He said Burns is on his way to taking that next step.
“He’s still developing, learning the ins and outs. Once he gets to college, he can definitely step his game up and whole lot more,” said Theyard. “Once he starts learning the ins and outs of the game, the why you’re running this route and why this has to happen. Definitely he’ll step his game up and I know that will happen as soon as he makes it to college.”
El Dorado will open the season Friday night at home against Camden Fairview.