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Cam Tucker makes plays everywhere for the Callaway football team.

“Last year I was mostly playing defense and I would help out a little on offense, but this year they have me playing both ways,” Tucker said. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little tired after the games, but even if I’m bruised up I’ll be good.”

The senior Cavalier makes his impact felt in all three phases, but his bread and butter is on offense. Through nine regular season games and one postseason game, Tucker has 418 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns on the ground.

His impact in the passing game is equally as impressive. Tucker has 364 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

“I like playing wide receiver more and lining up out wide,” Tucker said. “I like to shake guys with my route running and make big plays down the field.”

Tucker can line up out wide, in the backfield, or anywhere else the coaches ask him to.

The coaches often ask him to play the majority of snaps on both sides of the ball and special teams.

While he draws the most attention for his dynamite play on offense, Tucker is a guy who can fill multiple roles on defense as well. Whether it’s at linebacker or in the secondary, Tucker has an instinct for the football.

“This year they have wanted me to make plays more so on offense, but I can make plays on both sides of the ball,” Tucker said.

Tucker says his most natural position is still safety despite his dynamic play on offense. It was not even his first position starting at the high school level as he had to step in as an outside linebacker as a sophomore.

Tucker is also a key figure on special teams. Callaway looks for any way to get Tucker the football because of how dangerous he is in the open field, including a return for a touchdown earlier this season.

“I love having the ball in my hands,” Tucker said. “I always want to make big plays for my team.”

None of this success happened overnight for Tucker, who is small in stature but big in heart. Tucker worked tirelessly to become a key contributor on a team chasing a state championship. 

““Cam Tucker is just absolutely relentless,” Callaway coach Pete Wiggins said after Tucker’s monster game last Friday. “He power cleaned 295 lbs last week and then came out here and was relentless on the field. He’s strong and fast, and it all starts in the weight room.

“He’s a winner and the exact kind of kid you want on your football team.”

Tucker is more than just a contributor, he is a leader for the team.

“When they see me go out there and make plays, they want to follow and make plays too,” Tucker said. “When one guy starts making plays, the younger guys can feed off that.”

Tucker put together a fantastic regular season, but the senior stepped up in a big way in the playoffs. He had 180 yards from scrimmage with five touchdowns on just seven touches (three catches and four carries).

“It felt great, I always want the ball in my hands and they got it to me,” Tucker said. “I just went out there and did what I had to do.”

The run for Tucker in red and black is not over yet as he and the team pursues a state championship. Even when his run at Callaway ends, Tucker hopes to continue playing football on Saturdays next fall.

“I went to Callaway Elementary then Callaway Middle,” Tucker said. “It means everything to be a Cavalier.”