A four-year, three-sport starter for the Pauls Valley Panthers, senior Justin Humphrey will probably end up with around 8,000 yards of offense by the end of the upcoming season if he stays healthy according to his head coach Dusty Raper. “He’s a very physical player and isn’t afraid to throw his body around. He’s a good passer but a better runner. He’s got good speed but he’s big enough that he’ll just run over you if he has to,” said the Panther boss.
Justin started playing baseball early then picked up basketball and football in the sixth grade but probably likes football the best. “I was told by a former player, and I thought he was a little crazy, that the best part of playing football is waking up Saturday morning sore and banged-up but knowing that you left it all on the field and I think that’s true,” said Humphrey who has 51 career touchdowns to his credit thus far.
Growing up, Humphrey says he liked to watch pro quarterback Marcus Mariota and his dad has always been one of his role models. But as he got into high school, he found another source of help. “Coach Raper has really been important in teaching me about football. We sit in his office and look at tape and talk about different defenses and how to read them and he’s really taught me a lot about football,” said Justin.
As the team quarterback, Humphrey is used to others looking up to him, but this year as a senior that takes on some added responsibility to show others why they should look up to him. Coach Raper cites his tenacity as one of the reasons he’s a good leader and Justin notes that he’s always felt in charge. “Growing up I’ve always kind of been the leader of my teams. If things aren’t going well, the guys looked to me for encouragement. I like to lead from the back to help everyone succeed but I can be pretty vocal at practices or in a game to keep everyone’s spirits up.”
While Humphrey is a standout quarterback for the Panthers he also excels in basketball where he plays guard and in baseball where he plays outfield, third base, and this year will pitch more. But he’s also a star outside of sports where he has been the class president for the past three years, carries a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society and is also on the student council.
Justin is focused on playing football in college and has had several schools show an interest. “Probably the most interest has been from East Central at Ada, but I’ve also heard from Carleton College in Minnesota, Dartmouth, and the Air Force Academy.”
Justin says he’s not a big stats guy so his goal for his senior year is to help get the Panthers get back on the winning track and into the football playoffs and as far as a legacy for his time at Pauls Valley? “I’d like to be remembered as a guy people could talk to and not be a stuck-up athlete but as someone you could be friends with.”
