Fresno State Athletics
Tyquwan Glass fitting right in at Fresno State
11/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 11, 2015
By Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Just four short months ago, Fresno State junior cornerback Tyquwan Glass had little idea what the future held for him.
Little did he know, his hard work and determination was about to pay off big time. Thanks to a pair of Fresno State football coaches who were determined to make him a Bulldog, the junior college transfer from Mt. San Antonio College made it to campus in August and has flourished in his new home.
Introduced to football at the age of eight with flag football, he moved on to tackle three years later, and then entered the high school ranks at John Muir High School in Pasadena, where he was a three-sport athlete. Playing football, in addition to basketball and baseball, Glass enjoyed staying busy year-round and the competitive nature of sports.
Finding his passion for football and discovering his talent, Glass decided he wanted to continue playing in college. Knowing he needed to improve his grades before going to a Division I school, he elected to venture just a short 30 miles southeast to Walnut and attended Mt. San Antonio College.
After taking an initial redshirt season in 2012, Glass was a two-year starter at cornerback, helping the Mounties win the 2014 Southern California Football Association for the third time in a six-year span. Glass notched 38 tackles, 14 pass breakups and seven interceptions as a sophomore, and earned All-South Coast conference honors for his efforts. Despite the success on the field, it was not all smooth sailing for Glass as he learned many valuable life lessons during his time at Mt. SAC.
"It was not always easy, on or off the field," said Glass. "I learned to stay strong and fight through adversity."
With his time as a Mountie coming to a close this summer, Glass did not know where he would end up this fall. With August rapidly approaching and a very important decision to make, Glass' relationship with Bulldog defensive coordinator Nick Toth and defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson stuck with him and helped sway his decision.
Signing with the Bulldogs right before fall camp began in early August, Glass knew he had to hit the ground running and learn the playbook and coaching staff quickly.
"I was real nervous, because I did not know how I would fit in because I never thought Fresno State would stick with me out of all the schools recruiting me," Glass said. "When I decided to come to Fresno, I knew I had to come here and do my best."
Helping make that transition smoother for Glass have been Toth and Woodson who have each really helped groom him on and off the field.
"From day one, my communication with both of them has been great," said Glass. "I love them as coaches and they love me and they stay on me every day. It does not matter if I am in trouble, they are always going to be on me to make sure I develop into the man I know I can be. They are always helping me grow as a person and player."
Developing the trust of both his coaches and teammates, Glass appeared in the first four games for the `Dogs as a reserve, but felt he wanted to expand his role to help the team.
"Being a junior college player, a lot is expected of you right away," said Glass. "I came in kind of slow and was not performing like I felt I was capable of, it was tough early on."
Getting his first starting nod at cornerback at San Diego State, Glass has started the Bulldogs' last five games and leads the team with two interceptions. After making his first interception as a `Dog against No. 21 Utah on Sept. 19, he added his second pick last week against Nevada while also making a season-high 12 tackles, and is starting to produce the results he expects of himself.
"That is how it is supposed to be as a junior college player," said Glass. "They expect you to come in and perform right away. It has been real fun lately."
Despite a tough season in the win-loss column, after waiting nearly three years for the opportunity, Glass knows there is no time to look back. He continues to seize every opportunity he gets to strap on the Bulldog helmet and compete.
"I am going to give it my all these last three weeks," Glass said. "Coming from the junior college ranks, I did not have anything or even know I would be here, so I am going to continue to give it my all and keep fighting."
Ranking fifth on the team with 43 tackles, and second on the club among underclassmen, Glass knows much will be expected of him next season and he will be looked at to be a leader in the secondary.
"I am really excited and ready for that," he said. "I cannot wait and am going to give it my all every day."
For not knowing where he was headed only four months ago, Glass has surely found a home as a Bulldog and his future looks very bright.
"Be Bold" - Catch the 940 AM ESPN Radio Tim DeRuyter show live this Wednesday night from 6-7 p.m. at Dog House Grill.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat: FSAthletics
