Darren Waller is saying the right things because what’s next is rapidly approaching.
After serving a two-game suspension for a violation of team rules to start his senior season, the Georgia Tech wide receiver will return a humbled, more dedicated player for Saturday’s game against Georgia Southern.
“I didn’t feel like my life was at rock bottom, but there were definitely changes I needed to make,” Waller said.
Waller declined to say what led coach Paul Johnson to suspend him. As part of answers to other questions, he referenced that he wasn’t spending his extra time in positive ways and may not have been hanging out with the right people.
But he talked at length about how the suspension changed him.
Gone seems to be the player that position coach Buzz Preston described as sometimes immature. In his place is a man who spent his extra time studying film, catching passes from a machine or working out with the quarterbacks this summer.
“I’m trying to redeem myself to my teammates and to the coaching staff; be accountable and reliable,” he said.
Waller spent a lot of time this summer talking to a lot of people about how to walk a more positive path. He spoke with his father, Dorian, and mother, Charlena, who emphasized that what’s most important in life is what’s next. He will graduate in December with a management degree, which is a positive step. But Waller has aspirations to play in the NFL, which is quickly developing a zero-tolerance for any indiscretions.
“You can recover from some mistakes, but you can’t repeat a mistake,” Dorian said.
Waller also had conversations with former Tech greats Demaryius Thomas and Calvin Johnson, players that he’s often compared with because like them he also is a big (6-foot-5, 241 pounds) wide receiver.
He said they told him not to let the suspension define him and to keep working hard. Waller has, and the work impressed Paul Johnson and Preston.
Not one to pass out compliments, Johnson said Waller has had a good camp and a good attitude.
“I’m anxious to see it being carried over into games,” Johnson said.
As Waller and his parents discussed that what’s next — the final 10 games of his career — begins Saturday. Waller knows that barring a redshirt, this is will be his last semester of football. He’s tired of talking about what he could do. He wants to show what he can do.
“My time is now,” Waller said. “There’s no more potential of ‘you can do this, you can do that.’ I’ve got to do it.”
He has been a good receiver for the Jackets so far, with 25 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns. But the production doesn’t seem to match the potential that led some to expect him to be the next Calvin Johnson or Thomas.
Johnson said it’s not all Waller’s fault that his stats may not be what anyone thought when he signed as part of the Class of 2011.
But Johnson notes that there’s still time.
Waller will rejoin a Tech’s passing offense that has averaged 148.5 yards per game with Justin Thomas at quarterback. Johnson said Waller and DeAndre Smelter give Tech the best receiver tandem he has had, which bodes well.
Saying the right things, Waller seems ready for what’s next.
“The past six months, looking at myself in the mirror, evaluating myself and being honest has helped with me with my work ethic,” he said. “I’m ready to get back at it.”
