UM linebacker Sharpton eyes the NFL

Armed with a degree in finance and the nickname ``D-Money,'' University of Miami linebacker Darryl Sharpton has long considered a future in finance and entrepreneurship.

But these days, the 6-0, 235-pound son of CPA Darryl Sharpton Sr. and nephew of the Rev. Al Sharpton, is playing well enough to warrant another profession: NFL player.

``We're going to train for a bowl game and then it's time for the next saga of my life,'' Sharpton said. ``I'd like to give professional football a shot.''

Sharpton, 22, grew up in Coral Gables, graduated from Coral Gables High as part of the prestigious International Baccalaureate academic program and played his first three years at UM without much fanfare.

Now, with 14th-ranked Miami (9-3) about to begin preparing for No. 24 Wisconsin (9-3) in the Champs Sports Bowl, Sharpton leads the Hurricanes in tackles with 91. He was named a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker last week and also earned ACC Player of the Week honors after matching a career-high 12 tackles and causing a fumble at South Florida that led to a UM touchdown.

The previous week against Duke, Sharpton returned his first interception 73 yards for a touchdown.
On Sunday, Hurricanes coaches named Sharpton the team's most valuable defensive player at the awards ceremony.

``This is a great way to end my personal career and great for this program,'' Sharpton said after UM's 31-10 regular-season finale Nov. 28 at USF. ``It'll be good to have a little break, let my body heal, spend a lot of time in the ice tub, do some stretching and get into academics.''

Sharpton finally seems to have overcome knee problems and appears to be modeling other UM linebackers who had their best seasons as seniors. They include Tavares Gooden of the Baltimore Ravens, Spencer Adkins of the Atlanta Falcons and Glen Cook, who went undrafted last season but led in tackles and had two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Jonathan Vilma (New Orleans Saints), in his sixth NFL season, also graduated from Gables High.

WIDE RECEIVER?
``I told Sharpton he needs to come play wide receiver,'' UM quarterback Jacory Harris said of the Duke interception on Senior Day, when Sharpton sprinted down the the left sideline untouched. ``I've never seen a linebacker with that much concentration. He showed a little speed down there.''

Long known for his ferocious hits (he also earned UM's hard-hitter award), Sharpton has finally crafted the mental part of his game as well. ``Darryl has always been a guy, when he first got here -- `Big hit, I want the big hit, Coach! I want the big hit,' '' Shannon mimicked. ``[Sometimes], big hits come when you don't wrap up and you throw your forearms out. I had to explain to him when we worked with him this year that big hits can come when you wrap up. And that's what he has been doing.

``Darryl has changed his mind set. Hit people as hard as you can, but you've got to wrap him up and go through the guy.''

Shannon said he is proud of Sharpton for his maturity and leadership. ``He has improved every week, making all the checks and lining up the defensive linemen. He's having more fun.''

Sharpton attributed his improvement to ``trusting the scheme, studying and really understanding the mental aspect. I believe physically I always had it,'' he said. ``But I had to tie the two [together] and right now I think I've reached that point.''

Academically, Sharpton is thrilled that he has already earned his degree. He is currently finishing four classes for 12 credits in extended studies. ``I'm trying all kinds of different stuff,'' he said, ``African-American studies, women's gender studies, geology.''

EAST-WEST GAME
After the Hurricanes take on the Badgers on Dec. 29 at The Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, Sharpton will return to the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 23 for the East-West Shrine Game. No doubt he'll play hard.

``When I'm playing, I'm in my zone and it doesn't matter who's watching. I live for the moment.''



(miamiherald.com)