Ahmad Black - From Out Of Nowhere
Sunday, November 1, 2009 | Football
By: Stephen Kerkhof, UF Communications
After his first season as a Florida Gator, Ahmad Black's place on the team was still uncertain. Strictly a special teams' contributor as a freshman, he had yet to carve his own niche with the defense, where he practiced as a cornerback. He recorded just seven tackles during the 2007 season - all on the coverage unit - and was virtually an unknown with the Gators' fan base.
As a cornerback, Black was declared “too small and too slow” to play every down in the rugged Southeastern Conference. Before the 2008 season, he was switched to safety, a move made primarily out of necessity. Although he became the second-string strong safety, his outlook for playing time entering the season did not look promising.
Even though the coaches had not yet seen what Black was capable of, he never lost confidence in himself.
“I always knew that I could play, all I needed was an opportunity,” he said.
That chance came before the start of the regular season, when then starting strong safety Dorian Munroe went down with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, pressing Black into an enhanced role.
To say that he made the most of his opportunity might be an understatement. Not only did Black prove to be a suitable fill-in, he became an integral part of the Gator defense. Black started all 14 games for the Orange and Blue in 2008, tied for the national lead in interceptions with seven and finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 59. He was voted second-team All-SEC by the league's coaches and earned honorable mention all-league recognition from the Associated Press, as well as honorable mention All-American status from Sports Illustrated.
Despite having accomplished many personal achievements during his first season as a starter, the accolades are not what push or motivate him. When asked what it meant to him to lead the country in interceptions, he responded dryly, “Not much. The biggest thing for me and the team was winning the national championship.”
Black has developed by leaps and bounds since his freshman season, despite his slight 5'9”, 185-pound frame and his average speed. The Lakeland, Fla., native had an interesting take on using his small size to his advantage.
“In tight coverage, I can maneuver myself better than other guys because I'm so small.”
This also plays to his advantage over quarterbacks, who often overlook him in the defensive backfield. Without the size often expected of defensive backs and safeties, what is it that makes Black such a successful football player? Florida's assistant defensive coordinator Chuck Heater credits his especially high football intelligence.
“Sometimes I can see things before they happen,” Black said of his abilities. “I can see what play I think the opposing offense will run before they do it.” These are the kind of instincts that led to his seven interceptions a season ago.
The more plays he makes, the more trust and freedom he receives from the squad's defensive coaches.
“Coach Strong lets me play my own style because he knows I can make plays. I don't call my own plays but I have the freedom to make adjustments on the field that can help us out.”
After such a banner season in 2008, it would seem that Black's name would be penciled into the starting lineup for as long as he is at UF. However, with the start of the 2009 season came an entirely different set of challenges, this time from an odd location – his teammates.
With Black and starting free safety Major Wright both among the 11 defensive starters returning from last year's title-winning team, it seemed unlikely for any other players to get significant playing time. However, former five-star recruit Will Hill has proven to be just too good to keep off the field. The three players combine to form a trio of talented safeties often competing for just two spots.
To determine playing time, coaches evaluate the performance of the players every week in practice. The players who practice the hardest are rewarded with the most playing time in games. Coming off such a strong season, many players would be put off by having continually to prove their worth to the team, but not Black.
“It is not hard to deal with at all,” he acknowledged. “In the long run, it's making me a better player. They make me go hard every play in practice and go hard every play in games. The competition makes me a better player and makes me step my game up.”
As for any possible animosity between the players, Black offers, “We all like to see each other play well, whatever helps the team out.”
Black understands just how important it is to remain team-oriented when there is so much talent around him, citing the disappointing 2007 season as a constant reminder of what happens when a team does not play together.
“Coach Meyer will tell you that our team in '07 had a world of talent but we had a lot of selfishness on the team and didn't play up to our potential.” He later added that when the Gator defense started playing together as a unit, they started winning games consistently.
That type of strong work ethic and team-first attitude are what make Black such a special player. He continues to stay grounded and put the team's goals above any individual accomplishments.
After a quick ascension and an unexpected level of success from Black's short stay in Gainesville, it is tough to predict what to expect next from the Recreation Programming major. Only one thing is for sure, Gator fans should expect big things from little No. 35.
-UF-
