State College’s D’Antae Sheffey helps lead team in playoff run. ‘Never a moment too big for him’

Leadership can come from all different types of characters. Whether it’s the quietest or the loudest in the room, the youngest or the oldest — someone is going to listen and follow by example.

With State College approaching a bout with McDowell in the PIAA playoffs, one of the biggest leaders has been the quietest in the room: sophomore D’Antae Sheffey.

“He’s a great teammate,” State College coach Matt Lintal told the CDT. “Even as a sophomore, he’s got a lot of kids looking up to him.”

Since Sheffey stepped on the Little Lion scene, he has made his presence felt. In two seasons, he has taken State College by storm, showcasing his versatility and seemingly inspiring others to do so.

Sheffey is the team’s all-purpose ball carrier. While that may be a surprising role so early in a career, Lintal, along with junior Eddie Corkery, said they knew early on what the young back could be capable of.

“I played with him since middle school,” Corkery said. “You can just tell he was a playmaker, you just know that you put the ball in his hands and he’ll go out and make plays.”

Sheffey’s playmaking ability has often allowed him to find the crease within the defense, and when he gets out — there’s no catching him. After all, that trait is what allowed him to rack up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in his first campaign and it has garnered him attention all over the East Coast.

After his big year, Sheffey received Division 1 offers from Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and Syracuse, just to name a few.

For Sheffey though, there’s no pressure. It’s just about playing the game.

“Most people say it’s a lot of pressure,” Sheffey said. “But for me, I’m just going back and doing what I’ve been doing my whole life.”

That’s also reflected in how his team describes him. Junior Ty Salazer, Corkery and Lintal said Sheffey is the same guy from freshman year, doesn’t let anything get to him and is even-keeled, respectively.

Part of being a leader by example is showing your team how to respond in high-pressure situations. Sheffey’s ability to not be rattled despite the circumstances has allowed him to achieve as much as he has.

“There’s never a moment too big for him,” Lintal said.

As the moments get bigger and bigger, Sheffey has looked to achieve even more.

The player that Sheffey looks up to is New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara is a playmaker, like Sheffey, and has been commended for his vision and breakaway speed. With that, Sheffey wants to focus on his vision and acceleration as it gives him the ability to open up more big-play opportunities throughout his career.

“If I’m even I’m leavin’,” Sheffey recalled from a college coach’s saying, “I want to get down my vision and just master that.”

With goals set on improving what is already an all-around game, Sheffey wants to find himself atop the Little Lions’ rushing leaderboards by the time he graduates.

Lintal, who played with State College legend and former NFL star Larry Johnson Jr., believes in him.

“His vision and shiftiness is as good as I’ve ever seen,” Lintal said. “We’ve had a lot of great backs that have come through here and he’s certainly elite in that area. That’s where I think he’s different.”

As the Little Lions attempt to continue their run in the playoffs, they may look to Sheffey as the going gets tougher. While that can be as a bell-cow as he leads in touches as well as total touchdowns, with 12, Lintal doesn’t force-feed the young back, citing preservation.

Instead, Sheffey’s ability to stay humble and keep playing ball will look to be replicated by the rest of his team. As the 7-3 Little Lions attempt to get one step closer to state glory, they have Sheffey — and he won’t be done there.

“We’re very blessed that he had the early success that he’s had, but he’s not resting on that,” Lintal said. “He’s got big dreams, big hopes and we have those for him as well. ... We’re excited to have him this year, next year and the following year.”

The Little Lions will travel to Erie on Friday to take on McDowell.