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Former Poland star Wollet wraps up college career at KSU
By Joe Scalzo
Thursday afternoon conversation on Twitter:
LUKE WOLLET: “Life’s a balance. You have to give something up to get something.”
REPORTER: “Is this about not eating McDonald’s?”
WOLLET: “Hahaha. It’s like losing a good friend. We’ve shared some good times and some bad times. But I had to say my goodbyes.”
Wollet, an ex-Kent State safety/ex-Poland High standout/ex-McDonald’s devotee, played his final college football game more than three weeks ago.
He made five tackles in a 44-13 win over Ohio, helping the Golden Flashes (4-8, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) finish on a two-game winning streak.
Still, it was a slightly disappointing year, both for Kent (which returned the core of a team that went to the GoDaddy.com Bowl last year, albeit with a new staff) and for Wollet (who injured his shoulder in Week 3, then hurt his knee in Week 4, and played the rest of the season at less than 100 percent).
“I don’t want to use any excuses,” said Wollet. “It is what it is. Everyone was beat up. That’s what football is about. I was out there and if I’m out there, I’ve got to do my role.”
Despite the injuries, he finished with a team-best 78 tackles and intercepted two passes to earn third-team all-conference honors, capping a stellar four-year career.
But while most seniors in his position would have sweated their NFL prospects, Wollet spent the last three weeks getting his body, and his grades, where he wanted them to be.
(Alas, he’s also had to cut out McDonald’s.)
“I’ve just really been trying to focus on academics and getting healthy,” said Wollet, who is hoping to avoid surgery on his shoulder. “It was a tough year with being beat up but I had to finish out strong. The last few weeks I’ve been getting my grades up, staying in shape and really trying to get my body back so I can go hard.”
On Thursday, Wollet (6-foot, 198 pounds) accepted an invitation to play in the College All-Star Bowl on Feb. 14 at Furman University.
The game, now in its second season, features players from BCS conferences such as the ACC and the SEC, as well as mid-majors like Kent State. It will be televised by the CBS Sports Network.
“I’m excited to play against players from bigger conferences and show the talent from the MAC and that Youngstown has,” said Wollet, who credited his agent, Derrick Fox, for getting him the invitation.
Wollet will resume intense training on Monday — “I can’t sit out too long; I want to make some big gains,” he said — but also plans to stay enrolled at Kent during the spring, a decision Fox supported.
“My agent really wanted me to finish up my degree, so it was encouraging that we’re on the same page,” said Wollet, who is majoring in sports administration with a minor in business. “He said it’s hard to come back after you leave, so I’m staying here.”
CBSSports.com lists Wollet as the 28th-ranked strong safety in the draft, meaning he projects as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent. His size, experience (he’s a four-year starter) and versatility (he’s also occasionally returned punts at Kent) should appeal to scouts.
“It’s different; it [his career] turns into a lot more of a business now,” he said. “It’s about focusing on what value you can bring to a team.
“But it’s exciting. I have a lot of good people around me and I think it’ll be a cool experience.”