By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist
MONROE, La. – The ULM football practice fields usually clear out quickly once the formal work is done.
Yet even as a large flock of Warhawks migrate toward Malone Stadium for their lunch break, senior
Derrick Gore and his running back mates are still banging out bonus reps hitting the sled.
Gore puts in the work for himself but also inspires others to join him.
"It's going to take everybody on the team, not just one person," a perspiring Gore says between deep breaths. "Hopefully, if everything works out like it's supposed to, they see a guy working hard off the field and he produces, they'll pick up on that."
This is nothing unusual for Gore, a well-traveled runner who arrived in Monroe last year as a transfer from Alabama. ULM head coach
Matt Viator, a notable grinder himself, is grateful to have Gore as a team leader.
"Having a kid like that who was in the room with a couple of Heisman Trophy winners has helped us a lot," Viator says, nodding toward the chiseled senior in the background. "Evidently, they had a great work ethic in that running backs room at 'Bama. Seeing how he practices every day, how he carries himself and what he does, not only when he's required to be here but when he's not required to be here. I literally have to run him off on Saturdays or at night when he's here to work."
Gore says he wasn't highly recruited out of Nottingham High School in Syracuse, listing Buffalo as his only offer, so he set out to make his own way. He tried to improve his stock by playing at Milford Academy in 2013, then spent the 2014 season at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College but didn't see action due to injury. He arrived at Alabama as an invited walk-on in 2015 and played sparingly for two years as a reserve running back and on special teams, including three carries for 2 yards in a win over ULM his first season.
"Out of high school, I didn't have any offers I really wanted," Gore says. "The route I had to take to get here, from JUCO to walking on to now finally getting a scholarship, I have that fire still in me."
Gore's position coach is former ULM running back
Alan Ricard, who carried a similar profile as a player. Ricard parlayed his hard work into an NFL career and Gore values his perspective.
"Knowing that we've both been in the same situation," Gore says. "We're blue collar and come out with a chip on our shoulder every day."
Beyond his personal experiences, Gore has another source of inspiration entering his senior campaign. He changed jersey numbers this fall from 27 to 44 to honor his late childhood friend Rasheed Baker, who was shot and killed in 2017. Baker and Gore were teammates from park ball through high school.
"My best friend back home passed away last summer due to gun violence," Gore says. "It was his number in high school, so I dedicated this season to him."
Gore debuted at ULM with 585 rushing yards on 164 attempts and six touchdowns on the ground. He added 13 catches for 174 yards and another touchdown.
"They gave me a great opportunity," Gore says. "I was a walk-on and they gave me a scholarship. I'm very grateful for that."
Steering toward 2018, Gore wants the running backs to claim a bigger role in the high-octane offense.
"This year, we want to establish and get some respect in the run game," Gore says. "Last year, we didn't live up to the potential that we had. I think this year, this is going to be the real us."
Gore looks at ULM's well-stocked offensive roster with a sense of awe but believes there will be plenty of touches to go around. He wants to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way.
"We've got all these great receivers and a quarterback that people are going to be keying on," Gore says. "It might just open up for the run game a little bit."
As he looks back on his journey, Gore believes ULM was the perfect place to finish his college career. At this stage, he's clearly willing to give the Warhawks everything he's got.
"It's just a blessing in disguise really," Gore says before heading off. "I'm happy to be where I'm at and the place I am right now."
