JONESBORO -- One of Arkansas State's linebackers will be plenty familiar with his surroundings Tuesday night, but will step onto the artificial turf at Ladd-Peebles Stadium with an altered name, at a different position and with what he describes as an improved mind-set.
The last time Xavier Woodson-Luster was in Mobile, Ala., he only went by Woodson, was playing weakside linebacker and was ejected in the second half of the GoDaddy Bowl for what was described as "threatening an official."
Up next
ARKANSAS STATE AT SOUTH ALABAMA
WHEN 7 p.m. Central Tuesday
WHERE Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
RECORDS Arkansas State 2-3, 1-0 Sun Belt; South Alabama 3-2, 1-0
TV ESPN2
RADIO KASR-FM, 92.7, in Little Rock/Conway; KFIN-FM, 107.9, in Jonesboro
INTERNET ESPN3.com
The path for Woodson-Luster, who said he added the latter part to the back of his jersey to recognize his father, from that loss to a 7 p.m. Sun Belt Conference game Tuesday at South Alabama wasn't exactly smooth. But the junior is hoping he's settled in a comfortable spot.
Since the GoDaddy Bowl, Woodson-Luster has spent fall camp largely absent from practice, then was suspended two games for what Coach Blake Anderson called "off-the-field issues." Then, Woodson-Luster missed a third game with a hamstring injury. When he returned Sept. 26 at Toledo, sophomore Khari Lain had settled into his weakside linebacker spot, so Woodson-Luster moved to the middle.
When ASU (2-3, 1-0) plays at South Alabama (3-2, 1-0) on Tuesday night, he'll make his second start there, while hoping a rough start to the season is behind him.
"I learned that the decisions I make today effect my life tomorrow," said Woodson-Luster, referring to an outstanding warrant that stemmed from his not completing community service for a minor in possession of alcohol charge in the summer of 2014.
Because of that, ASU's leading returning tackler stayed home when it opened the season Sept. 5 at Southern California. Then, he watched alongside defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen's son, Jackson, from the south end zone facility at Centennial Bank Stadium as ASU lost to Missouri, missing out on one of the program's most anticipated home games.
"It was kind of heartbreaking," Woodson-Luster said. "Knowing that it's your fault and the reason that you're not out there. This whole situation has been eye-opening."
Woodson-Luster missed ASU's victory over Missouri State while nursing a hamstring injury suffered playing an offensive role on the scout team, but returned the next week and coaches still view him as a valued part of the team.
"I thought he handled the suspension as good as expected," Anderson said. "It's frustrating to watch guys play. He stayed as engaged as he could, and conditioning-wise and all those things, he was good when he came back."
He's worked his way back into a starting role.
Now ASU's most experienced and accomplished linebacker, and Cauthen is trying to teach Woodson-Luster the basics of a position that requires him to know more than just his own responsibilities.
That's what caused Woodson-Luster to spend extra time with Cauthen the day after a 49-35 victory over Idaho. ASU coaches had already wrapped up their regular day-after film session Oct. 4 when Woodson-Luster spent about an extra hour with Cauthen. He said he does the same thing every morning, too.
"Just going over details that we don't normally have time for in the afternoon," Woodson-Luster said. "I want to know what the D-Line is doing, what the safety is doing what the corner is doing. Everything."
Cauthen understands there's work to do. On Idaho;s first drive, it used a formation ASU hadn't seen on film. Woodson-Luster didn't react to the changes quick enough, and Idaho scored to take a 7-0 lead. But, there are good signs, too.
Like Woodson-Luster's willingness to spend extra time with Cauthen, a sign that he's willing to learn.
"I think every week you'll see Xavier getting better and better," Cauthen said. "He knows when his mind is clear and he's aware of what he's doing, he will not have as many [missed assignments]."
Woodson-Luster hopes so, because that would mean a better finish to his season than its start.
"I feel back home, back to the norm," Woodson-Luster said. "Now it's just trying to continue to grow and get better. Week-by-week."
Sports on 10/12/2015