Scars Tell the Story
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
“I’ve got a bunch of scars and they all tell a story.”
Miami defensive back Adrian Colbert uttered those words to a small gathering of writers after one of the Hurricanes’ practices in preparation for the Russell Athletic Bowl.
The topic of conversation at the time was the small blemish on the senior defensive back’s right forearm. The scar stems from surgery to repair a broken bone suffered while making a tackle earlier this season against Notre Dame.
Colbert, who also has a scar on one of his knees from an MCL repair done earlier this year, has overcome multiple obstacles in his lone season as a Hurricane. But the graduate transfer has been beating the odds for as long as he can remember and he has the scars all over his body to prove it.
“I got hit by a car in 2002,” Colbert said. “I was nine years old and riding a bike right after one of my playoffs games in little league football. I got blindsided by a car.
“I was crossing the street and going into some land where we used to ride bikes and four wheelers,” Colbert said. “My family was out there riding around and I was racing one of my friends on the bike and I got hit.”
Following the accident, Colbert endured a long hospital stay that included being in a coma for a week. Lots of intense physical therapy and medical attention followed as the young Colbert and his doctors worked to regain his mobility and eventually learn how to walk again.
“I am very amazed and so grateful because I wasn’t supposed to be playing anymore,” Colbert said. “The doctor said I fractured one of the bones in my spine and wasn’t supposed to be able to play. They told me I also broke my neck and when my parents heard that they were frightened. I didn’t know that until after I finished my rehab. I’m just grateful and blessed and thankful for everything. ”
Colbert learned to do a lot more than walk, developing into an explosive and speedy four-star talent at safety. The Mineral Wells, Texas, native was heavily recruited by major college football programs, but Colbert knew in his heart where he always wanted to go and he chose to attend the University of Texas.
Shortly after becoming a Longhorn, things began to go awry in Colbert’s dream college football scenario. He redshirted in 2012 and there was a coaching change in 2013 and Colbert’s Texas career began to go in a different direction than he had hoped.
After graduating from Texas in 2015, Colbert had the opportunity to transfer and play immediately at another school. First year Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was looking for a veteran talent in his defensive backfield and the two reunited in Coral Gables.
“I’m grateful that they believed in me,” Colbert said. “They could’ve offered anybody in the country this opportunity, but they came to me. I was somebody that they knew was going to work hard and have the ambition to succeed.”
While Colbert had one final chance to have the successful college season he always hoped for, there was a twist to the opportunity. A lifelong safety, Colbert was headed to Miami to play a new position: cornerback.
“I made it a point that I was going to outwork everybody,” Colbert said. “I wasn’t going to let anybody outwork me or beat me for what I came here to do. I feel like I accomplished that. I had some minor setbacks with injuries, but I am grateful for the opportunity to be here.”
It was a challenge at first and one that Colbert had to go at alone. The learning curve was steep, as he arrived in the summer and went straight to work at learning his new role.
“You don’t have time for anything else,” Colbert said. “If you really want to go get it, you have to put in the time and effort. You have to stay in and watch film and watch the teach tapes the coaches gave you in the summer.”
“When they weren’t around it was kind of hard because usually you have a coach that can teach you and walk you through things but they were gone all summer recruiting,” Colbert said. “I told myself that if they couldn’t be around to teach me then I had to do it myself or I wasn’t going to play and it would have been a waste of time to come here. Anything is possible if you put in the time and effort.”
Colbert admits the transition was rough at first, but he is grateful that Diaz and Miami cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph continued to believe in his ability and work ethic.
“They were really patient with me,” Colbert said. “They could have said, ‘Forget it. He’s not getting it and not going to get it because it’s not his natural position. We are going to move on to the next person.’ We have so many corners that know what it’s like to play the position, but those guys never gave up on me. They stuck with me and I appreciate that and I think it worked out for all of us.”
Working out is an understatement as Colbert has been one of Miami’s impact defensive backs in 2016. The senior made 18 tackles, had three pass breakups and an interception while being limited to just six games due to injury.
“It’s been great. Phenomenal. I can’t say anything bad about my experiences,” Colbert said. “I’ve had the trials with being injured twice in the season and being able to only possibly play six games, but I’ve cherished every moment that I’ve been out here. Every day has been a blessing with this staff and these players and everybody that I’ve met in my time here.”
Miami head coach Mark Richt has been impressed with Colbert the cornerback and he believes there will be more football in the future for the gifted defensive back.
“He’s shown that he’ll be physical,” Richt said. “He’s shown that he can run fast. He has shown that he will play special teams. He has a pick and it was a heck of a pick. I think he’s shown ball skills. He’s gotten [the NFL’s] attention, I’m sure. One way or another, he will end up in an NFL camp. I’m certain of that.”
Colbert missed the final four games of Miami’s regular season with his forearm injury, but he was diligent in his rehab hoping to beat the odds again and have the chance to play one more time. Wednesday’s matchup against West Virginia will mark Colbert’s seventh and final game in a Miami uniform and he knows he will not hold anything back when he hits the field at Camping World Stadium.
“You just got to make it count,” Colbert said. “You never know when your time is going to be up and when your number is going to get called. You have to make the most of every one of your opportunities because you never know when it’s your last. It’s a physical game and injuries happen. I am just thankful to have another chance to play a game as a Hurricane.”
