Daniel Seahorn
On the 40
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- Oct 15, 2015
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I went down to Cibolo, TX yesterday to see Caden Sterns in practice for the first time since he flipped his commitment from LSU to Texas. My thoughts on him haven’t changed very much from the first time I saw him. He’s a big, strong DB, whose athleticism and mentality give him versatility not commonly found. That is why Tom Herman and Co. plan on using Sterns as a multi-tool in the secondary, placing him in roles like safety, nickel, and boundary corner.
However, when I went back down to Cibolo, I interviewed Caden elaborated on some reasons behind his still surprising flip and let fans get to know him better.
HS: Now that you’ve been a Longhorn for a week, how does it feel and what have the coaches been telling you?
Sterns: It still feels great. I’m still getting a lot of love and a lot of attention of course because it was surprising.
With the coaches, still getting that same love and still building that relationship. Coach Washington and I talk everyday away from the game, about the Spurs or anything like that. So, it feels great.
HS: Why aren’t you a Spurs fan? (Cibolo is right outside of San Antonio)
Sterns: Well, you see, I’m originally from Dallas. So growing up, you know how that rivalry goes. And… I just don’t. I don’t know what it is. Don’t get me wrong, I love Kawhi and Coach Pop, but I just don’t like the Spurs.
People are going to call me a bandwagon fan, but I’ve been watching Steph Curry since he was at Davidson, so I became a Golden State fan. When I say that, people don’t believe me and go, “oh, you a bandwagon fan,†but I just like Steph Curry’s game and the way he worked because he was underrated.
HS: What were the coaches preaching to you that really sold you on Texas?
Sterns: It’s different there. Different in a good way. I love the vibe, just the way the coaches are. They are player coaches, and want to win. I said it when we were talking in that podcast, his record when he was at Houston proves he wins. So, to join that and get Texas back to what it used to be is something that would be great to be a part of, especially being from Texas.
That’s really all there is. They keep telling me how special it is to have me, and they can’t wait until I get up there.
Caden later expanded on this, telling me the story of when he watch Vince Young win the National Championship, and the celebration and joy he and his family had, which they didn’t do for any other team. So he expressed that he felt excited to represent Texas and bring the same joy to other kids like himself.
HS: What has LSU been trying to tell you since you flipped?
Sterns: When we talked, they ask me if I’m closing it up or he still wants me to come after him. I told him it’s a done deal. I don’t want him to waste any of his time.
I still have so much love for LSU, and respect them, no doubt. Probably will be one of the top teams in the nation next year.
So, I told them they’ll have to find another DB. And there are so many elite ones. I hope the best for them, but I’m going to be a Longhorn.
HS: What do you feel is the most underrated part of your game that you can’t see on tape?
Sterns: My leadership. People can’t see how I lead on tape. It’s something, also, that I have to work on. I have to be more vocal as a leader. I lead by example and my character that I’m always bringing to the game regardless if someone is or isn’t watching.
I spend a lot of time on this game at home. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not thinking about working towards the game, whether it’s releases and doing them at home with my little cousins to get them around me.
Just my passion. I try to lead and I want everyone around me to be great. I willing to sit here, and coach them and myself because not every rep is going to be perfect, so you have to be able to take the criticism. You have to know what you did wrong to better your game, but also take what someone else does well and apply that to your game.
HS: Can you elaborate on the importance your family played in your decision to stay home?
Sterns: Growing up it has been my mom and my brother.
With how tight we’ve always been and my brother going to Oklahoma State, I wouldn’t say it was a bad thing because we’re still tight, but seeing how it hurt my mom to miss all of my brother games when she has been there for all our lives.
We’ve been through everything together. Through thick and thin. For me to stay home with my mom, so it’s not a struggle for her to get out to every game, or… just if anything crazy happens. You don’t know when my last day is or her last day is. For me to be away for something like that is not what I want.
She deserves to be a part of the journey. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am.
Also, my step-dad came into play. He deserves to be a part of it too. He became a father figure in my life, teaching me the game along with my brother, who’s another big father figure in my life. Growing up watching him, following him, and him helping me become who I am today.
That and I have my three little cousins at home, along with my aunt in a one-story house. They don’t have a father figure in their life to look up to besides my brother (who will be working out with the Kansas City Chiefs) and I.
For me to be close to home and them see me in college doing well for myself and my family is something I want them to be able to see. Hopefully that will feed off to them. Also, just being with them, so they don’t grow up thinking badly about themselves, thinking why their father is not there. I rough house them. I’m not going to sit here and say I don’t. They’re six years old, full of energy, and will get on your nerves, but I love them to death.
It was a win-win for me. Dream school like Texas, which was one of my dream schools growing up. Everything just worked itself out, and I couldn’t be more blessed. I am very happy with the decision I have made. I couldn’t be happier.
Beyond just his family, Caden felt the team also provided him with family as he became fast friends with the Longhorn players during his trip to Texas. Another huge reason he fell in love with Texas.
At the time Caden is enjoying being a Longhorn, and plans to make a few trips down to Texas including today to meet up with his new team mates in the class of 2018 along with BJ Foster.
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