MICHAEL SPARLING: Multi-tasker

[PonyPride]

When evaluating prospective additions to their teams, coaches often target versatile players who can fill a number of roles. That appears to have been the case with SMU freshman DB Michael Sparling. When the Ponies convened Tuesday for their optional workout, Sparling, who originally was recruited as a cornerback, was working at strong safety during the team's seven-on-seven drills.

Sparling said he was not necessarily surprised to be working initially at safety, despite having played cornerback most of the time at La Habra (Calif.) High School.

"When he recruited me, (secondary) Coach (Derrick) Odum said I'd have a chance to play both (safety and cornerback)," Sparling said. "In high school, I played mostly cornerback, but I played safety as a sophomore and a little in my senior year."

Sparling said he doesn't necessarily have a preference between the two positions.

"Playing safety is more vertical, while cornerback has you turning 180 degrees, or at least 90 degrees (while in coverage)," Sparling said. "Coach Odum said he liked the way I turn at the hips and my footwork, so maybe I can play either one. I don't know — we'll see.

"(Which position he prefers) really depends on the coverage. At my high school, the cornerbacks were almost like safeties, and the safeties came up to the line of scrimmage, almost like an extra (group of) linebackers."

Sparling stopped short of saying he feels more natural at one position or the other, although he did allow that playing safety puts him "closer to the middle of the field, so I can cover more ground to make plays."

Regardless of which position he ends up playing, Sparling admits that he needs to add weight. After reaching a high of 172 pounds in high school, Sparling lost weight. When he first got to Dallas earlier this summer, Sparling said he weighed 160 pounds. After a few weeks in SMU strength and conditioning coach Mel de Laura's program, Sparling has added five pounds, up to 165.

"We do a couple of different lifts here, but the intensity in our strength program in high school was not that much different," Sparling said. "In high school, the way we lifted was very collegiate."

Since he started working at safety in seven-on-seven drills, Sparling has found a mentor in senior FS Chris Banjo.

"Chris has kind of taken me under his wing, teaching me the safety coverages," Sparling said. "The first day I came out (and played safety), I was playing with the third-team defense. I spent a couple of days with the third team and the second team, but then he sort of said, 'you're on your own.' He said if I have questions, I just have to ask, but you learn by playing."

[PonyPlayer4]

If his listed height of 6'2" is correct this dude is a twig at 160. He better live in the weight room his redshirt year.

[Dement-ed]

And the cafeteria.

That said, I'm eager to see how he looks on the field.

[ponyscott]

This kid is a good athlete and will make his mark here at SMU. Maybe now that Longoria is out for surgery this year, maybe Sparling can work in as a punter for us? I heard he has a good unique style of punting.

[Dairy Crampus]

We'll really be pulling for this kid. I came to SMU from La Habra as well (abet Michael's rival HS Sonora) and it could a bit of the culture shock - but in a good way. Orange County is loaded with athletes. Let's hope this is the start of some publicity our there and a new pipeline.