Change is something that Fluff Bothwell has had to come to terms with over the last couple of years, but it has forged the talented running back for bigger and better things. When Bothwell was preparing for his college football career at South Alabama, his family home in Aniana, Ala. caught fire on Christmas Eve. […]
Change is something that Fluff Bothwell has had to come to terms with over the last couple of years, but it has forged the talented running back for bigger and better things.
When Bothwell was preparing for his college football career at South Alabama, his family home in Aniana, Ala. caught fire on Christmas Eve. It was a devastating moment for Bothwell and his family, but the fact that no one was physically harmed in the event put life in perspective for him.
“We have a good community where I’m from in Aniana and the other community I’m from in Asheville. They came together and helped us out and it was a great time knowing that the world is not over,” Bothwell said. “You can get material things back, but you can’t get people back. We’re glad that everyone is ok and we recovered from that.”
Bothwell shines as freshman in college
Bothwell would go on and put together one of the best freshmen seasons of any running back in the country with the Jaguars. Coming off the bench, the Oneonta High graduate rushed 111 times for 832 yards and led the Sun Belt Conference with 13 touchdowns.
When he was told after the season that his running backs coach was going to be leaving, Bothwell saw change again in the form of looking for a new home. He had opportunities out West at Arizona and several opportunities inside the SEC including at Ole Miss. His trip to Starkville felt different.
“I got here and coach (Jeff Lebby) and coach (Anthony Tucker) made me and my family feel at home. It was just a great time on my visit.”
Exactly one year after his home had burned down, Bothwell announced that he was headed to Mississippi State. The talented running back made a full circle moment from tragedy to triumph as the SEC offered him even bigger opportunities.
Since arriving back in the spring, Bothwell has found himself a home in Starkville. He’s built a relationship with players all over the roster like freshman quarterback KaMario Taylor. The two first met walking to the first day of class in spring and Bothwell thought Taylor was a wide receiver due to his physical stature. Several months later, the two are neighbors at their apartment complex and spend a lot of time engrained in the playbook.
It’s not surprise to position coach Tucker that Bothwell is making himself at home, or that he’s striving to get better every day.
“His personality fits who we are as a culture. He’s got a ton of energy; he’s the same guy every day. He’s consistent and always smiling,” running backs coach Tucker said. “Wants to be coached – wants to be coached hard. Yes sir, no sir, no entitlement or any of that type of deal. He fills our workman, blue collar, dirty hard work in the dark type of mentality. He’s young and is really playful a lot, but he’s really sharp, especially for a young guy. He really fit into our locker room and who we are as an organization. From the strength and conditioning staff, to our room, to the team, he’s been a great addition.”
Running back battle among State’s toughest this training camp
Keeping a player with Bothwell’s ability off the field will be a challenge, but the competition has been fierce.
State returns senior running backs Davon Booth and Johnnie Daniels to a loaded running back room that also includes talented and explosive running backs like Xavier Gayten, Seth Davis and freshmen Kolin Wilson and Geron Johnson. Bothwell packs a totally different punch with his bruising style and physical nature. It’s made for some battles in practice between he and Booth among others.
“Sometimes we’ll wrestle each other up and the next day we’re cheering each other on,” Bothwell said of his relationship with Booth. “It’s all a brotherhood. It’s been great learning from someone that’s been at every level and being able to battle with him every day.”
Whatever the role for Bothwell, he will take it and run with it. He spent all of last year coming off the bench and still made a major impact and he expects to do the same in maroon and white if that is his role.
What Bothwell strives to do is get better every time he steps foot on the field. Whatever happens from there will tend to work itself out.
“Just being me and knowing that what I can contribute is short yardage or anything else. I can come in and help the team out,” Bothwell said. “I saw last year how they played and I just like to be a part of a running back room with two great leaders.”
Category: General Sports
