True tenacity: Gutsy Lockett wants BTW on top again
BY BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
7/14/10 at 4:41 AM
WE WANT YOUR VOTE: This summer the World will unveil its rankings of the metro area’s top high school football players by position. In August, we’ll publish readers’ rankings of the top 10. You can vote up to five times per day. Voting lasts until 5 p.m. Aug. 16. We’ll have stories on players chosen No. 1 by the readers, and voting results will be announced in our annual high school football preview section on Aug. 29.
Related story: All-World Receivers.
It will be difficult for anyone to ever question Booker T. Washington receiver Tyler Lockett's toughness after his performance in football and basketball with only one healthy hand for most of his junior year.
Lockett suffered a broken wrist, originally diagnosed as a severe sprain, in the second game of the football season against East Central last September.
Despite the injury, Lockett had 20 receptions last season and scored touchdowns as a receiver, rusher and kick returner. In basketball, he was a starting guard on the Hornets' Class 5A state championship team.
"Tyler is a competitor," Hornets basketball coach Shea Seals said. "He's a leader and does the things it takes to be a champion."
Lockett had surgery after the basketball season as a screw was placed in his wrist and that sidelined him during spring football practice. However, he expects to have his cast removed soon and be ready for fall practice that starts on Aug. 10.
Lockett, excited about being at 100 percent for his senior season, will enter his final year at Booker T. Washington as No. 1 in the All-World ranking of Tulsa area receivers. Lockett and Dante Barnett, one of the area's best defensive backs, will give the Hornets one of the top receiving combos.
Although Lockett has enjoyed basketball success, football will be his sport in college and he has committed to Kansas State, where he plans to study either criminal law or business. His father, Kevin Lockett, and uncle, Aaron Lockett, also played for Kansas State en route to playing in the NFL. Kevin Lockett and Aaron Lockett also played at Booker T. Washington.
Tyler Lockett reminds his grandfather, John Lockett, in some ways of Kevin Lockett and Aaron Lockett.
"I see a lot of similarities," John Lockett said. "Tyler is sort of between the two of them. He reminds you of Kevin when he's running his routes and catching the ball. But he reminds you of Aaron after he catches the ball. He doesn't have the speed that Aaron had, but he's getting there.
"One thing he gets from both of them is hard work. Tyler is dedicated. He talks to Aaron all the time about how he prepares for a game. He talks to Kevin and watches films all the time and all the Kansas State games. Tyler is really a student of the game. He's very coachable and likes to work. If Tyler stays focused and continues to work, I think he's going to be a great receiver."
Tyler Lockett, who is 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, continues the Hornets' tradition of outstanding receivers, following Kevin and Aaron Lockett, current New Orleans Saints player Robert Meachem and Quentin Chaney.
"My dad talks about it (legacy of Hornets receivers) a lot," Tyler Lockett said. "There have been a lot of great receivers here. We look up to those guys. We want to be just like them, but better and set a standard that kids like us can follow."
Tyler Lockett, who also is a defensive back, showed his big-play ability in his sophomore year as he helped the Hornets win their first state football championship in 24 years. He had an 82-yard touchdown catch against Bishop Kelley and had a key interception in the playoff opener against Ada.
After eligibility violations kept the Hornets from qualifying for the playoffs last year, Tyler Lockett is looking forward to a big senior season, but is focused more on winning another gold ball than racking up super statistics.
"As long as we get the Ws, I'll be happy," Tyler Lockett said.
ALL-WORLD 2010
Receivers
1. Tyler Lockett, Booker T. Washington
2. Garrett Powell, Bartlesville
3. Kyler Harris, Muskogee
4. Steven Carpenter, Jenks
5. Dino Teague, East Central
6. Ja’kii Moore, Webster
7. Austin White, Bixby
8. Christian Hood, Union
9. Jesse Vester, Stillwater
10. Jordan Robinson, Wagoner
Barry Lewis 581-8393
barry.lewis@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Booker T. Washington’s Tyler Lockett excelled at football and basketball last season despite suffering
through a broken wrist most of the year. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
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