Clayton Tied to His Small-Town Roots


	Senior LB Keenan Clayton

NORMAN, Okla. -- On the field, senior linebacker Keenan Clayton has made his presence known with his powerful defensive play. And even though he's made it clear that football is one of his passions, there's one place he'd rather be -- out in the country.

The self-proclaimed "country boy" said he'd much rather be outside fishing or riding four-wheelers.

"I kind of stress the fact that I'm a country boy," Clayton said. "A lot of people probably wouldn't know that."

Clayton's older cousin, Keidric Duffey, said that he's not at all surprised by this sentiment. Duffey said growing up in the small town of Sulphur Springs, Texas, (which was once known as the dairy capital of the state) allowed Clayton to get a taste of "country living."

"We're pretty country out here with cows and horses everywhere," Duffey said. "All we did [growing up] was play outside because that's all there was to do."

Growing up in a small town also allowed Clayton to grow closer to his family. His aunt, Linda Nash, said that they are all very close. Although Clayton is an only child, he's one of 15 grandchildren and third from the youngest.

Growing up in a small

town allowed Clayton

to grow closer to his

family. Although he is

an only child, he's one

of 15 grandchildren.

"Everybody has babied him. All the other cousins think he's their little brother," Nash said. "They all call him their little brother, but they look up to him because he's been such a big inspiration in our family."

Clayton's father, Quon Clayton, said his son has done everything he can to make the family proud.

"I always told him to do the best he could. Put your best foot forward in everything that you do," the elder Clayton said. "I've always asked that of him and he's always tried to do that."

Despite all the praise, Clayton gives his family most of the credit for his successes, saying they have influenced him most. And from his family, he's learned what he considers to be a very valuable lesson.

"My [family has] shown me a lot about working hard," Clayton said. "You have to appreciate everything that you receive or that you earn because, if you just overlook stuff or take stuff for granted, it can always be taken away quickly."

"My family has shown

me a lot about working

hard. You have to

appreciate everything

because it can be taken

away quickly."

As for his future, Clayton said after he graduates with a degree in multidisciplinary studies, he hopes to head back to Texas to coach high school football. It's a dream his father said Keenan has always wanted to pursue, but that dream might have to wait, according to his father who thinks football at the next level is possible if things work out right.

"If he can stay healthy," his father said, "I can see him playing on Sundays."

The younger Clayton gives no indication, as of now, that that's where he's headed. Instead, he's focused on what he thinks he can pass on to the next generation of football players -- his skills as a coach.

"Since I've been [at OU], I feel like I've learned a lot that I didn't learn in high school," he said. "And I feel like I can be a person or be a coach that can prepare kids for the next level."

Clayton's ultimate goal is to be in a position similar to Sooner head man, Bob Stoops.

"I feel like I can be a

person or be a coach

who can prepare kids

for the next level."

"[Stoops] knows football inside and out and he gets a lot of credit from all around the country," Clayton said. "I wouldn't mind being in his shoes like that, but those are some huge shoes to fill."

Regardless of where his football career takes him, Keenan Clayton says he'll never let go of his country roots.

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Feature by Breia Brissey | OU Athletics Media Relations

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