Marcus Tate says OL Coach Matt Luke 'instills' mental toughness in Tigers
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Senior offensive lineman Marcus Tate met with the media to discuss his excitement for the upcoming 2024 season. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman started 8 games during the 2023 season before suffering a season-ending injury in practice.
Tate mentioned that his injury from last season was not too serious, just a sprain and he is good to go for Spring practice, “Initially it was very disappointing, because I am trying to get through a season. I wasn’t able to finish my sophomore season, so I was going into last year thinking to myself, ‘alright I’m gonna get to finish this season’. I want to be out there for my guys, you know it sucks being on the sidelines.”
With seven offensive lineman returning to the program, all with starting experience, Tate says there is going to be a different kind of confidence this year. He mentioned that during the 2023 season, a lot of them did not have playing experience together prior and now they have that. Tate stated, “Our chemistry is going to show on the field this year… The passion that we have built together is gonna show this next year.”
In regards to Matt Luke, Tate mentioned that he is going to tell you how it is, and he is going to correct you when you are wrong. The team appreciates that honesty, “The offensive line is a position where you have to be mentally tough, and he instills that in us. You have to be able to take coaching. If we get a rep wrong, he tells you, ‘No, this is how it has to be.’ You know, you have to get your job done, and that's a part of being an offensive lineman.”
Tate went on to say that he knew of Matt Luke from his time at Ole Miss and is excited to see what he is going to bring to the program in 2024. When the team first met Luke, they knew that he was going to demand excellence from everyone, but especially the offensive line.
