Trey Currin
Only three years ago, Trey Currin didn't look like much of a football player.
Standing only 5-8 entering his first year at MacArthur, Currin lacked the height and the skills to truly make a difference on the freshman football team -- something he has no problem admitting.
"I wasn't very athletic back then," Currin said. "I wasn't very good, so I didn't give as much effort as I needed to."
However, things took a positive turn as the year progressed.
By the end of the season, Currin had grown 5 inches, making him one of the tallest players in his class. With his height no longer being a hurdle, Currin was able to focus on the only other thing holding him back from having a major role with the Highlanders -- motivation.
The offseason between Currin's freshman and sophomore year served as the turning point of his playing career, and he said knew exactly what he needed to do to gain more playtime.
"I was talking to my mom, and I told her I was tired of watching the games -- I wanted to play in the games," Currin said. "I just had to want it more -- that's all it was," Currin said. "It wasn't really a working thing. It was just my mentality -- I had to change my whole mentality.
"My whole attitude changed. I started being more physical, hitting the weights and stuff like that."
Currin's growth spurt didn't end there, though.
The senior is now Mac's second-tallest player at 6-4. Only lineman McKain Hammond, who is listed as 6-5, holds a height advantage over Currin.
Currin's growth and enhanced effort moved him up the depth chart rather quickly, and he is now a key player on offense as a fullback/H-back hybrid, earning high praise from coach Brett Manning.
"I could tell midway through his sophomore season that he was going to be really good," Manning said. "He actually started the last game or two as a fullback.
"He's a great fullback -- the best one we've ever had. He's a really good blocker, and he can catch the ball when we throw it to him."
Currin has six receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown this season -- the score coming on a 3-yard pass from sophomore Racer Felter during the Highlanders' 41-0 win over Western Heights in their District 5A-1 opener last week.
Currin said getting the touchdown felt good, but he didn't have much time to celebrate.
"It was a great moment, but I had to line up for the extra point right after," Currin said. "I couldn't bask in it too long."
Currin plans continue his football career at the next level, and he said though he has fielded some offers from schools in the region, he wants to keep his options open.
"I have two offers -- one from NSU (Northeastern State University) and one from Missouri Southern," Currin said. "Right now, I'm just a little open and trying to see what else is coming in."
Currin has visits planned with other schools in the near future, but perhaps the most notable is Oklahoma State.
Currin caught the eye of OSU tight ends coach Jason McEndoo at a camp in Stillwater during the offseason, and there remains a mutual interest between the two. The senior plans to attend this year's Bedlam game on Nov. 4.
Currin identifies as a University of Oklahoma fan, but he is not going to let his fandom cloud his judgment in determining his future.
"I love OU, but if OSU is the one I have to go to (to play), that's where I'll go," Currin said. "Go Pokes!"
Luckily for Currin, OSU fits his needs in athletics and academics.
Currin considers himself an architectural fanatic, and he wants to further his education in the field of architecture. OSU hosts one of top architecture programs in the nation.
"I just love building," Currin said. "I used to skate, and we used to build ramps. In my friend's backyard, we have a big quarter pipe.
"In the summer, I'll go down to my grandpa's -- he owns his own carpentry business -- and I'll help him. He builds up the houses and repairs them."