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Youboty trying to show he belongs on the field
Kevin Oklobzija ? Staff writer ? August 7, 2009


Cornerback Ashton Youboty pulls on his helmet as he goes back out onto the field for coverage drills at the Buffalo Bills training camp Wednesday in Pittsford. (SHAWN DOWD staff photographer)

Not until Nick Saban and Louisiana State University offered a scholarship did Ashton Youboty ever think football could take him much beyond high school.

His Friday Night Lights in Klein, Texas, didn't include a dream about Saturday Afternoon Sunshine and the big-time college football stage.

"I was ready to go to community college and walk on to the football team," he said.
But when the powerhouse LSU Tigers showed interest, he realized he really did have talent.

Soon Oklahoma was talking to him. Then Ohio State.

And the next thing you knew, Youboty was leaving Texas for Columbus, Ohio.
"I just wish I knew then what I know now about defenses and coverages," the fourth-year cornerback said. "Like at spring ball at Ohio State. I was thinking, 'Man, if I had just learned that in high school ...
"And now here, there are things you go over and you think, 'If I had just learned that in college ...'"

Things like how to read the three-step drop by the quarterback. That outside leverage when lining up on tight coverage forces the receiver inside. In certain defensive coverages, the inside is where defensive backs have help waiting.
He absorbed plenty about football in college, and also over his first three seasons with the Bills.

But one thing Youboty didn't need to learn when he joined the Bills as a third-round draft pick in 2006: that he belonged.
"He has good size (5-feet-11, 189 pounds), he's smart and he's athletic," said defensive backs coach George Catavolos.

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