Bob Jensen
HuskerlandPreps.com Publisher
Lincoln Southwest QB Tay Bender has already verbally committed to play his college football at Kansas State.
Taking care of Number One, or Number Seven in this case, has certainly paid dividends for Tay Bender.
The Lincoln Southwest quarterback, who this off-season has been one of the most discussed players in Nebraska's Class of 2012, believes in taking care of himself both on and off the field, all designed to maximize his ability.
A steady diet of steak (at least three times a week) and salad, lots of rest and a strong weight room work ethic have helped not only make the 6-3, 210-pound Bender a star in the making it's also made him a Division I recruit, as he's already said yes to an offer from Kansas State.
"My dad is a nutritional freak and I have sort of adopted his way of doing things, taking care of myself," says Bender, whose father, Jeremy, played football for the Huskers and also had a career in arena football. "I have a pretty rigid schedule that includes getting up at 7:30 every morning. I believe in trying to do things right."
That certainly seems to have taken hold on the field. Last season he passed for 990 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 793 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading a youthful Southwest team to a 5-5 record and a playoff berth.
Southwest head coach Mark King says Bender's game is rounding into form.
"There is no doubt Tay is an outstanding athlete and real threat with both his legs and his arm but he's also had to refine some things in his game and he's really coming along in that capacity. We expect a big senior year from Tay and for him to be better than he's even been in the past."
With many relatively inexperienced players, even some sophomores, asked to step into key roles last year it was a bit of a rocky road for the Silver Hawks. With an added year's experience and some strong senior leadership Bender expects an up-tick in the team's fortunes.
"I think a team we have a lot more confidence and we have great chemistry on this team - we all like playing football together. We've had a lot of guys in the weight room and really feel like this is the type of team that will do what it takes to get better every day."
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There is no doubt Tay is an outstanding athlete and real threat with both his legs and his arm but he's also had to refine some things in his game and he's really coming along in that capacity. We expect a big senior year from Tay and for him to be better than he's even been in the past.
Mark King, Bender's head coach at Southwest.
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A varsity starter since he was a sophomore, Bender's been a quarterback since the earliest stages of his career. He started playing tackle football at age eight, playing up against older kids, and seemed to settle naturally into the role of quarterback. Bender takes great satisfaction in playing the position at the highest varsity level.
"I like playing under pressure and I like handling the ball on every play, feeling like I can make a difference on every snap. You need your teammates to win games but I do like the idea of having the ball in my hands, making good decisions and leading us to victory."
As for the Kansas State decision, Bender jumped at the chance to take the Wildcats up on their offer, in part because it would get the decision off his plate and in part because he simply loved the experience when he visited the Manhattan campus.
"You always hear people say it's a perfect fit but that was really the case for me and K-State because I really liked Coach (Bill) Snyder, the campus and the players. I feel like it's a place I can go and help the team win pretty much right away."
Coach King says Bender's physical skills - big arm, good size, athletic pedigree - are outstanding but it might be the intangibles which set him apart.
"Tay has become a very good leader for us, a real role model, and he's got the ability to rally people around him. And he's also the type of player who is going to spend lots of time studying film and is serious about making himself a better player."
Bender has earned an outstanding 3.65 GPA and is also involved in activities at his church. He's planing to study sports journalism, to become a sports writer, saying it is something he enjoys and would help keep him around the game he loves. With all the great things in his life right about now it would be easy for Bender to get distracted but he's not going to let that happen.
"I stay humble and work hard because I realize all the gifts I have been given can be taken away. I want to stay away from what can bring you down."
Which in high school football hasn't been much.
