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RYAN
August 28, 2014
DRC Football
Oliver to follow in brother’s footsteps By Ben Baby Staff Writer
A couple years ago, there was a Ryan defensive tackle that wore the No. 94 and had “OLIVER” draped across the top of his back. His locker was a few paces to the right of the entrance to the Ryan locker room, and he had a nickname that was a play on his last name. That was Big O. Two years later, Little O has picked up where his older brother left off. Ryan senior defensive tackle Donievin Oliver is one of the few Raiders returning with any experience from last season. Oliver, along with junior defensive tackle Ken McLaurin, will anchor a defensive line that lost all four starters and the top substitute in the rotation. But the younger Oliver is certainly up for the task. McLaurin said the opportunity he and Oliver have this season is exciting.
“It’s very cool to know that we’re the guys this year,” McLaurin said. “Last year we were backups. Now it’s our time to make our mark on the program. It’s going to be a great opportunity.” All the key cogs on the defensive line that helped Ryan reach the Class 5A Division II regional finals graduated. Defensive end Sekou Clark ended up at Vanderbilt, while defensive tackle J.T. Williams signed with Southern Miss but left the program before the start of the season. Oliver originally didn’t start out on the defensive line. He was a linebacker his freshman year until a freshman team game against Denton. Oliver moved to defensive tackle, switched to the position full-time afterward and assumed his older brother’s number, locker and position. Desmond Oliver was a second-team See RAIDERS on 44
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton
Ryan defensive tackle Donievin Oliver will help anchor the Raiders defense this season, when he will try to build on a family legacy. His older brother Desmond Oliver was a two-time second-team all-district selection for the Raiders.
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