Grandma knows: A&M pledge Deuce Fatheree was destined for big things
Grandma Laverne knew.
Even when her grandson was little — or, perhaps more accurately, very young — Grandma Laverne knew something big — even huge — was developing. She predicted that young boy would grow into a large man.
“He had big feet. I knew he had to grow into his feet. That’s why I knew he would grow up to be really tall,” said Grandma Laverne, 81, from her home in Nixon, Texas, a small town about an hour east of San Antonio. “My children are tall, and I’m 5-foot-11-and-a-half. I’ve got a son who’s 6-foot-5, a daughter that’s 5-foot-11 and another one that’s 5-foot-10. My mother is tall. My father is tall. It just passed down from generations. I knew he’d be tall.”
‘He,’ of course, is Reuben Fatheree II — or ‘Deuce’ as he’s commonly known. And just like Grandma Laverne said, he grew up to be a nationally-recruited, 6-foot-8, 305-pound offensive tackle who committed to Texas A&M last week.
But then again, Grandma Laverne was proved right many years before Deuce committed to A&M. By the time he was playing pee-wee sports, he seemed twice the size of other kids his age. Consequently, parents Reuben and Lorraine Fatheree brought Deuce’s birth certificate with them to youth football and basketball games to verify his age.
“It started when he was eight or nine,” said the elder Reuben. “We literally kept his birth certificate with us at all times. We didn’t want the headaches.”
The Fatherees understood the apprehensions. If roles were reversed, they’d have worried their smaller child might get injured playing against a kid so big.
The concern was unnecessary. Young Deuce wasn’t overly aggressive. He’d enjoy playing but might pick flowers after the game.
“He was a gentle giant,” said 6-foot-5 Reuben, who is the basketball coach at Richmond Foster High School where Deuce will be a senior next fall. “Make no mistake, I’d rather have him as a gentle giant and grow into being aggressive. That term ‘bully’ carries a big weight. I did not ever want my son to be a bully.”
Not then, anyway. As Deuce grew older, his dad began to worry about that gentle demeanor. Sometimes bigger kids are so often told not to hurt anyone that they become passive in competition.
Turns out, that concern wasn’t unnecessary, either.
“You have that switch to become a ‘dog’ or you don’t,” Reuben said. “I worried about that. But when he’s competing, he has that switch. He’ll dunk on you. He’ll drive you into the dirt. Then he’ll shake your hand after the game.”
Deuce began to demonstrate that doggedness at Foster High School. He played varsity football and basketball as a freshman.
Three years later, he was ranked among the nation’s premier offensive linemen. He’s a four-star rated recruit and listed among the country’s Top 20 offensive tackle prospects.
Deuce received scholarships from all of the nation’s premier football programs. He pared his list of suitors down to four — A&M, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas — before deciding to accept Jimbo Fisher’s offer.
Obviously, his parents were proud that Deuce has scholarship offers. Reuben was just as proud — if not more so — in how Deuce arrived at his decision to go to Texas A&M. The process of that commitment showed even more growth in Deuce and gave evidence of a maturation that Reuben is especially proud of.
The Fatherees understood how difficult the recruiting process can be. Reuben and Lorraine both played college basketball. Their daughter, Lexi, was recruited by Stephen F. Austin and played basketball there for a year before she transferred to St. Edward’s in Austin, where she had an excellent three-year career.
They gave Deuce input, but his college choice had to be his own. Reuben was impressed how his son arrived at his decision to commit to A&M.
“It was something special to watch him do his research to help narrow that down,” said Reuben. “He knew who to listen to. He knew what was pertinent to what he was looking for to find the place he wanted to play. That was wonderful to watch.
“I think it was tough. He had to talk to some really good, sincere coaches. He wanted to make sure mom and dad were somewhat comfortable. He made his mind up. He’s where he wants to be.”
As a coach, Reuben told Deuce the hard part comes after choosing a program. At the next level, he won’t always be significantly stronger, more athletic or bigger than everyone else.
He reminded Deuce of the need to get bigger, stronger and better in technique. Reuben said Deuce is eager to develop his game.
“He is adamant that he’s trusting Jimbo and (A&M offensive line coach Josh) Henson to help sharpen his technique,” Reuben said. “He knows it’s going to be different. Everybody he’s facing is 5-10 to 6-feet. He knows he’s going to have to do things differently. He’s definitely trusting them. He had to trust who’s going to get him right and who’s going to get him technically sound. He’s big on that.”
Deuce has great size. He has excellent athletic ability. He has the “dog” switch to play with a hostile demeanor. He’s willing to work hard and accept coaching to get better.
That should add up to a star player in the Texas A&M offensive line.
Need more? How about Grandma Laverne’s prediction.
“He’s going to be great,” she said. “You’ll enjoy his playing. He puts his whole heart into it. He’s very humble, too. So, it’s going to be wonderful.”
That’s probably the best reason to expect greatness from Deuce.
Grandma Laverne knows.
