I figured coming here I would become disciplined, including the honor code — learning how to dress and groom. ... Everybody here looks out for each other. You’re not just a player. That’s what I came here for, for the 40 years after football. – Devon Blackmon
PROVO — For senior wide receiver Devon Blackmon, adjusting to BYU — both on and off the field — has been difficult at times. He admits there have been some missteps along the way during his first season as a Cougar.
But during spring practices, Blackmon is counting on better days ahead, and looking to be the best he can be as a football player and as a person.
“Last year was a learning season. I learned from the mistakes that I made and it motivates me to do good this season,” said the Fontana, California, native. “It’s my senior season and I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a great experience here. Being a leader on the team has been great, getting acclimated and adjusting to the BYU life. I had a rough first semester, but other than that, it’s been great. Things have been going smooth. I want to contribute to this team the best way I can, anyway I can.”
Even before he played in a game last year, the transfer from Riverside City College found himself in some trouble. He announced through Twitter that he had been suspended for the season-opener at UConn, which didn’t sit well with coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Then in his second game as a Cougar, after serving a suspension, Blackmon scored against Houston on a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Taysom Hill. But the TD was nullified because Blackmon was lined up incorrectly, and officials called an illegal formation penalty.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound speedster, who originally signed with Oregon, ended up catching 10 passes for 130 yards and zero touchdowns last season.
Wide receiver Mitch Mathews said Blackmon will be a key weapon on the offense this season.
“He’s a guy that will make a big impact,” Mathews said. “He’s a confident kid and he’s ready to play.”
Blackmon also returned 12 punts for 68 yards last season, including a 25-yarder.
“I love returning punts. There’s a lot of freedom,” Blackmon said. “I need to get vertical. I did a lot of dancing last year. I’ve got to get vertical this year. It’s just something I need to do. It’s a different game at this level. I’ll adjust to it.”
What's been the toughest thing about acclimating to BYU?
“The stares and looks I get because I’m different, because I’m black,” he said. “But it’s been like that my whole life. It’s not really too big, but the pressure can wear on you sometimes.”
Helping him through the adjustment has been his former Summit High (Calif.) teammate, and current BYU teammate, senior running back Jamaal Williams.
“He’s always been like my little brother. It hasn’t really changed,” Blackmon said of his relationship with Williams. “He’s a big guy at BYU, but he’s still Jamaal to me. I love him, I love hanging out with him because we can relate to each other. We’re very comfortable with each other. I wouldn’t find myself with nobody but him. I wouldn’t say I couldn’t have made it the first year without him, but I’m glad he was here because he helped me through a lot.”
Blackmon’s reasons for enrolling at BYU go beyond his friendship with Williams. While at Oregon, Blackmon said, he was “immature” and he wanted to go to a school where he would learn discipline. Blackmon believes his time at BYU will have long-term benefits.
“I figured coming here I would become disciplined, including the honor code — learning how to dress and groom,” he explained. “You’ve got to come to work every day, you’ve got to shave your face. It’s just preparing me for the next 40 years of my life. Not just for four years. Everybody here looks out for each other. You’re not just a player. That’s what I came here for, for the 40 years after football.”