Southeast High WR Clyde Townsend bulks up, improves routes and gains college interest
Clyde Townsend was stuck with a tough choice: Give up his passion for track to improve his college football chances or stick with track and weaken his football aspirations.
Despite being a Junior Olympian in the long jump, Townsend opted to skip track during his sophomore year.
A year later, he has improved his footwork and route running while adding weight as he grows into an upperclassmen at Southeast High School. The rising junior wide receiver is coming off a strong scrimmage last week and is looking to continue his form in Thursday’s spring game at North Port.
I was happy that it transferred to the scrimmage, because I see it on the practice field. But I was happy that he did it in front of some other people.
Southeast High head football coach Rashad West on WR Clyde Townsend
“He’s been doing it all spring, just being explosive,” Southeast head coach Rashad West said. “Finding the football and being good in space. I was happy that it transferred to the scrimmage because I see it on the practice field. But I was happy that he did it in front of some other people.”
At practice on Tuesday, Townsend and quarterback Alex Taylor piqued the interest of a college scout from Central Michigan University.
“We’ve had a few people come through, and I’ve talked to him about them,” West said. “That guy from Central Michigan talked to Coach (Paul Maechtle) about Clyde doing a pretty good job. So we got that referral from Maech.”
Aiding Townsend’s progression and maturation was his place in Southeast’s weight room and playing on the Air5 7-on-7 team that draws some of the best football players from Manatee and Sarasota counties — such as Braden River’s Tyrone Collins, a defensive back that challenged Townsend’s skills in practice sessions.
Despite tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the offseason, Collins is still getting Division I offers like other Air5 teammates.
It’s where Townsend dreams he can go, too.
“I want to make it big, go to college, play for a Division I team if I can make it there,” Townsend said.
Getting after it in the weight room was another step in his development at the pivotal juncture between his sophomore and junior seasons, which is when colleges take serious looks at prospects. Townsend bulked up from 145 pounds to near 160.
Townsend’s field work played a part as he ran ladder and cone drills to sharpen his route running.
He’s also focused on one position this spring.
Midway through the last fall, Townsend was sent to the defense because Southeast needed additional bodies on that side of the ball. Townsend filled the gap.
“I made some great plays, but then I made some mistakes,” Townsend said.
This spring, Southeast’s defense has only four starters returning. Despite that low number, West is looking at Herald All-Area first team defensive back Brandon Shannon as a defensive leader.
“He’s a good little football player,” West said. “... He’s got to fill in and make some of those plays (linebacker) Dequan (Williams) made for us last year.”
West said this spring has been a learning process for the defense because of all the new faces. The offense focused on communication, West said.
Both get tested Thursday at North Port.
Jason Dill: 941-745-7017, @Jason__Dill
SPRING GAMES
Thursday, May 18
Avon Park at Cardinal Mooney, 6:30 p.m.
Out-of-Door Academy at Fort Myers Evangelical Christian, 7 p.m.
Clermont East Ridge at IMG Academy (National), 7 p.m.
Sarasota Booker at Lakewood Ranch, 7 p.m.
Southeast at North Port, 7 p.m.
St. Petersburg Northeast at Palmetto, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 19
Bayshore at Dunedin, 7:30 p.m.
St. Petersburg Lakewood at Braden River, 7 p.m.
Manatee at Lakeland Lake Gibson, 7:30 p.m.
Note: Bradenton Christian is not playing a spring game this year.
This story was originally published May 16, 2017 at 8:43 PM with the headline "Southeast High WR Clyde Townsend bulks up, improves routes and gains college interest."