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Sun March 16, 2008

Cowboys safety has come long way since leaving Haiti home

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Junior college transfer Lucien Antoine is already making a name for himself at Oklahoma State thanks to big hits. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
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By Mike Baldwin
Staff Writer
STILLWATER — Lucien Antoine's nickname, given by Oklahoma State coaches, grabs your attention. The Punisher.

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"He loves to hit people,” said safeties coach Joe DeForest. "That's his goal on every play. It's fun to watch. He's going to add that mentality to that group back there.”

Born and raised in Haiti, Antoine has limited football experience. But it's that background in a third-world country that explains how someone can rapidly develop into a knock-your-block-off junior-college All-American safety.

Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College coach Jeff Sims gave Antoine a similar nickname — the Eliminator.

"When I say he's an eliminator, I mean if he hits a guy it's over,” Sims said. "He's a monster. He's solid muscle. If he hits somebody it will silence the crowd. They'll feel sorry for the kid he hit.”

During DeForest's four-plus seasons at OSU, Jamie Thompson has been the Cowboys' hardest hitter in the secondary. Is Antoine in Thompson's class?

"Absolutely,” DeForest said. "He's a very physical player. The biggest thing is he has to learn our defense and learn some technique things. But he'll get it. He's very eager to learn. It means a lot to him. He wants to be good.”

Sims said Antoine's work ethic is his best asset, even more impressive than above average speed and a 6-foot-1, 205-pound, rock solid frame.

"ESPN will end up doing a story on him, I guarantee it,” Sims said. "Lucien has been in America for seven years. He didn't even speak English seven years ago. Now he speaks it well.

"His work ethic is due to his background. He feels fortunate to have the opportunities he has in this country. When he was a kid there was a war going on. People carried guns.”

DeForest said he's uncomfortable sharing details of Antoine's childhood in Haiti. Since the media isn't allowed to interview first-year players, DeForest offered some insight.

"He's been through a lot,” DeForest said. "It's very unique what he's experienced. This means so much to him.”

Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman said he likes what he's seen the first two weeks of spring practice. Antoine grabbed one of two interceptions Friday in the first scrimmage.

"He's my first Haitian,” Beckman joked. "There's no question Lucien has made some plays. He's done a great job doing what we've asked him to do. But he's still learning.”

Antoine has more to learn than most junior-college players. He played high school football only one season in Coral Springs, Fla.

He was allowed to walk on at Fort Scott only because they had gone 0-9 the season before.