Meet Ethenic Sands
Aug. 20, 2002
Senior flanker Ethenic Sands made a smooth transition from quarterback to receiver during between the 2000 and 2001 seasons and became one of the Hurricanes’ solid weapons on the perimeter, catching 26 passes for 385 yards in 11 games in 2001. Last season, he averaged 14.8 yards per catch and drew in his season-long reception during UM’s convincing 38-7 win over NCAA Division I newcomer Troy State. Sands was a standout quarterback on the high school level for Carol City’s excellent program.
Sands would likely be the primary option in virtually any other receiver unit in major college football but, with the glut of talent in the Hurricanes’ arsenal, he is one of several gifted athletes capable of generating points for the orange and green. After a recent practice, Sands sat down with Luke Eggleston of the UM sports information office to discuss his career at UM and his hopes for the upcoming season.
What was it like for you to win the national championship?
ES: “It felt real good to go out as a team and to win a national championship and to bring it into a new millennium. We were the team of the 90’s and the team of the 80’s so we’re trying to get everything back to where it used to be: winning championships.”
What team are you most looking forward to playing this year?
ES: “Like I say, this is my senior year, I’m looking forward to playing just about everybody. Just trying to finish off at UM and make the best of it.”
What are your personal goals for the season?
ES: “Just make plays, you know. Everytime I get a catch I want to try to score, get a big play, get a first down … just do what I can do with the ball.”
How did you respond when you were asked to switch from quarterback to receiver during your redshirt freshman season?
ES: “I felt good because I wanted to get back to receiver (Sands was recruited as a receiver despite playing quarterback in high school). I had to take a shot for the team during that season because we needed someone to back up Ken Dorsey and at the time we didn’t have a second string quarterback. I already knew that I was going back to receiver.”
What is it like to be a part of a receiver unit that has been as talented as yours?
ES: “It’s really good to come out and play with those guys because they were All-American receivers in high school. I was one of the top quarterbacks. It was good to come in and learn the position and it felt good to be part of this bunch.”
Which is more fun, quarterback or receiver?
ES: “I believe that wide receiver is more fun because when you get the ball you get to run and do something with it. At the same time, as quarterback, you have the ball all of the time, but you don’t get to do as much as you want to do with it.”
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
ES: “Deion Sanders, baby. He could do it all. He could play receiver, cornerback, punt returner … everything.”
(As a student in the Carol City School District) did you grow up a Miami fan?
ES: “Yeah, I always grew up a Miami fan. When I started getting older, I started to fade away because they were on probation. But going into my senior year, I kind of came back to Miami because we had a couple of guys from my school that came here, Santana Moss and Delvin Brown. But I always had Miami in my blood.”
What do you think of Miami’s chances of winning a national championship this year?
ES: “I believe if we do everything right, on both sides of the ball, there’s nobody that can stop us. We have the athleticism to do it. It’s just the little things, knowing your assignments and doing the things that you’re supposed to do.”
Now that you have a son (Ethenic Sands Jr.), how much fun is it for you to have him come out and watch you practice?
ES: “It’s been really good. I’ll turn around and he’ll be following me. I looked back once and it was like he was showing me how (to play). It feels real good. Right now he kind of understands the game a little bit. He’s not ready to play yet because he’s too young, but he kind of understands the game. He knows that if I catch the ball, I’m supposed to do such and such. It’s a good relationship because even though he’s only he four years old, he understands that I have to go out and take care of business first. Then I can see him when I come back home. Sometimes when I have to come back here, he’ll come and work out with me. When I come here and lift weights, he’ll come with me. When I play with him around the house, he’ll play like he’s a wide receiver.”
How important is your son to you?
ES: “He’s real important to me. He became the first thing in my life when he was born. He’s real important to me.”
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