You’ve heard of ‘gym rats’? Well how about a ‘fieldhouse rat’? That’s how new Warner football coach Rafe Watkins describes sophomore Ty Vinson.

“He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever been around” said the veteran head coach. “When I started here in March and held meetings with individual position groups, Ty was always there, not because he was going to play those positions, but because he was anxious to learn. He probably knows the offense better than anyone except our coaches.”

Vinson grew up in Vian and started playing football in the first grade and over the years has played lots of positions and circumstances have dictated a new spot for hm this year with the Eagles.

“He was going to be a tight end for us but because we lost so much in our line with graduation, we’re having to move him to a tackle spot on offense and still be defensive end on the other side,” said Watkins.

And being the student of the game that he is as well as an unselfish team player, Ty had an idea this was coming.

“I could kind of see that I might have to become an interior lineman this year since we lost all of our starters, so I’ve been preparing myself mentally. But physically the blocking assignments aren’t that much different than I had at tight end,” said Vinson who also runs track, does power lifting and is involved in Teens for Christ and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Growing up, Ty followed the career of another Okie and admired the way he played.

“I liked to watch Austin Cantrell who played tight end at Arkansas (and hails from Roland). He was a smart player and was always in good position on his blocks and was violent when he got there,” said Vinson

Smart is also a good way to describe Vinson. This young sophomore took the ACT earlier this summer and scored a 31 which is indicative of how important academics is to him.

“My parents have always stressed that aspect and I’m blessed to have a good memory and retain knowledge well,” said Vinson.

With that kind of brain power, Watkins kids that he knows what probably is not in Ty Vinson’s future. “This kid has all kinds of football knowledge, but I can already tell he’s way too smart to end up as a football coach,” Watkins laughed.