Salem High School senior tackle lightens up

Salem High School football fans have grown accustomed to seeing Alex Light.

Now meet Alex Lite.

Light helped power Salem to a 12-1 record and berth in the Group AA Division 4 semifinals in 2012 as a 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle.

This year there is less Light to see. Entering Friday’s preseason scrimmage against Brookville, the Salem senior tipped the scales at 279 pounds and not by accident.

Light’s transformation was prompted by two concerns.

First, the big Spartan is scheduled to start on both sides of the ball in 2013 after seeing backup duty as a defensive lineman last year.

Second, Light said major college coaches told him they want to see him improve his mobility if he is to expect a scholarship offer.

“They said they would like to see me a little bit faster, because I gained so much weight between my sophomore and junior season,” Light said. “I needed to cut some weight off.”

So far, less is more.

Light, who stayed busy last winter as the starting center on Salem’s Division 4 state championship boys basketball team, said he is moving better than ever.

Thursday during the team’s annual picture day at Salem Stadium, the new and improved Light was simulating a dunk over the 10-foot-high crossbar on one of the goalposts … in full pads.

“Big difference,” he said. “I didn’t think I felt slower last year, but it showed. This year, I feel faster, and my stamina and endurance are up.”

Light might need some extra energy off the field too. College recruiting can be a taxing experience, and Light is currently assessing where he fits into the picture.

Richmond and VMI have offered Light scholarships. To date, that’s it.

Maryland, Wake Forest and Virginia are among the FBS schools — formerly called Division I-A — that have given Light positive feedback after his performances at one-day summer camps.

But no offers from the big boys.

Meanwhile, three other Timesland linemen — Fort Chiswell’s Coleman Thomas, Rockbridge County’s Austin Clark and Northside junior Chance Hall — all have major-college offers.

Light is still waiting.

“I’m sort of shocked,” Salem coach Stephen Magenbauer said. “UVa loved him. I think it might have been a little late in the game. For whatever reason, they didn’t have the space.

“He has all the qualities of a Division I lineman.”

Magenbauer said the Spartans football program has never had a lineman receive a scholarship from an FBS school.

For Light, producing some early-season highlights on film could be critical.

“Those first four games might be big,” Magenbauer said. “Everybody that I’ve talked to, the Techs and the Marylands and those guys say, ‘He’s right there. We like him a lot.’ I don’t know what the decision is.

“We’ve pushed him hard, and he’s one I feel good about pushing.”

Light provides his own push on Friday night. In Salem’s run-oriented offense. Light’s size-17 shoes leave a big imprint on opposing defenses.

“We run the football,” Magenbauer said. “He’s a drive-blocker. That’s what he enjoys doing. He’s a physical kid. He’s very physical.”

Light said he has picked up some helpful hints from the college coaches who observed his workouts this summer.

“In college they pass more, obviously,” Light said. “They told me I need to get better on my passing game.

“I’ve gotten little tips on which way to balance my weight on my stance, how to have better vision in run-blocking, and just overall hand placement.”

Shaking hands with Light is akin to grasping a cinder block. He wears size 3-XL lineman’s gloves, the largest in stock.

“We buy the biggest gloves on special order,” Magenbauer said. “If he gets a paw on you, you’ll feel it.”

Light said that while his recruiting status is a concern, he will put his college career on the back burner as Salem’s 2013 season approaches. The Spartans’ first four games are against Franklin County, Patrick Henry, William Byrd and Northside.

“I kind of care a little bit, but I’ve just got to do whatever I need for my senior season,” he said.

Light said it is unlikely he would spend a postgraduate year at a prep school. At the moment, the full-scholarship offer from Richmond is very attractive.

“They’ve put a lot guys in the NFL and they’ve beaten a lot of [FBS] teams,” Magenbauer said. “I think he knows that’s a real high level of football.

“In my opinion he’s a great football player. He’s got a great motor. He plays hard, he practices well. He does everything we want him to do. He can play basketball. I think he has it all. There’s still some time, but for the big guys it gets shorter and shorter.”

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