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Senior Spotlight: Nose Tackle Larance Shaw

Senior Spotlight: Nose Tackle Larance Shaw

Football Nov 08
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

Editor's Note: This Senior Spotlight is republished from the Nov. 2 digital game program (vs. Arkansas State).

As nose tackle Larance Shaw blended into the ULM football program as a junior college transfer last season, he immediately embraced his mission.

"We're trying to change the program," Shaw said recently. "I feel like a bunch of guys are trying to change the program and we're right there on the brink of changing it. We've just got to keep pushing forward. It's a lot of work and takes a lot of work, but I feel like it's going to pay off."

Known as "Tookie" to family and "Too Hot" around the ULM football program, Shaw is still chasing something special for himself and the Warhawks as the team enters the back half of the 2019 schedule. 

"I want to build a legacy here and get a bowl win, the first one," the senior from Fort Worth, Texas, said. "I want to get a bowl win and create a memory."

Shaw's individual assignment in the big plan is bulling his way into backfields and clogging up the middle of ULM's defense. He approaches his job with a quiet, blue-collar sensibility.

"He's a workman," ULM defensive coordinator Mike Collins said. "He just comes to work every day and does what he's supposed to. You never see him cut loose any other time like some of the other guys. He's a more mature kid and a little older than everybody. Maybe he's past that stage. He's a good one, and I'm glad he's here with us."

After joining the program from Cisco (Texas) College, Shaw gave ULM 26 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and three quarterback hurries as a junior. Through seven games in 2019, Shaw has 14 tackles, two for losses and two quarterback hurries. 

"He's the quiet assassin," Collins said. "He never says anything. He just doesn't. He's quiet and doesn't talk a lot. I think that's what makes him unique because when he does say something. … you talk about some people looking and listening."  

What he lacks in height, Shaw (5-11, 285) makes up for in explosive athleticism and brute strength.

"I honestly don't feel like it's a disadvantage at all," Shaw said. "I say this as humbly as I can, but I have not been blocked since I've been here. Coach (Anthony) Camp has taught me some really good techniques that I used against (former Texas A&M center) Erik McCoy, who plays for the Saints right now. I have great film against him."

Although he's a defender by trade, Shaw looked good as a ball carrier when he got his only chance last year by snaring a squib kick at the end of the half against Coastal Carolina.

"Marcus Green screamed at me from behind to just lay on it," Shaw said. "But my eyes got big and I yelled no. I ran for like 6 yards and trucked a guy to the ground. Then I ran for another 5 yards and fell.

"That's probably one of the best memories I've made here," he added with a chuckle.
 
To this day, he hopes offensive coordinator Matt Kubik remembers the play and has a short-yardage TD run in the playbook for him.

"Please talk to him," Shaw said. "I'd love that."       

As for defensive highlights, Shaw also relishes the memory of ULM's win over Georgia Southern in 2018. He made three tackles and 2.5 for losses in the Sun Belt Conference victory.

"They came in here and everybody was talking about them and how they should have been ranked," Shaw said. "I played probably my best game since I've been here. I was on the Pro Football Focus (Sun Belt) Team of the Week that week."

Shaw has been limited at times this season by a bum right ankle, but he's gutted out every game.

"Treatment every day," Shaw said. "Actually, I didn't practice for a whole week before Memphis and I played the whole Memphis game."   

It's hard to keep a good man down.
 
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