WEST PALM BEACH – The journey of Ta’Narie Locust has been an interesting one to date.
For the Cardinal Newman 2024 defensive tackle, the high school football experience will likely go down as a lesson for many to follow.
We will begin with Locust’s transfer move from Palm Beach Lakes to Cardinal Newman, which took place last offseason.
The 5-foot-11, 270-pound defensive tackle shared this particular situation in his own words.
“When I transferred in from Palm Beach Lakes to Newman, I only knew of [head] coach Jack Daniels,” Locust said. “I was welcomed in with open arms by the whole staff, including the teachers, etc. I transferred for a better opportunity and a better environment. The coaching staff preaches and teaches character and brotherhood. They care for each and last every kid on the football team. They treat everyone the same and make sure that we take care of each other.”
This transformative mindset was primarily the key determinant to how Cardinal Newman posted its first undefeated regular season (10-0) in more than 40 years – 1982 was the most recent one.
On a personal note, Locust finished with the following statistics in 12 games played as a junior:
•11 sacks
•17 solo tackles
•51 total tackles
•16 tackles for loss
Locust’s best individual game was in Week 11 at Gulliver Prep. Here are his statistics from that one:
•1 sack
•4 tackles for loss
“I’ll say Gulliver game was my best game,” Locust said. “I stepped up and made big time plays for my team and turnovers for my offense to have good field position and get in the end zone. Me and former teammate Maverick Gracio were being bullies to their o-line. It caused a lot of confusion in the trenches.”
Locust on his junior season at Cardinal Newman:
“I feel like I had a decent season last year,” Locust said. “I expected more out of myself. I left a lot of meat on the bone last year. I was just a run stopper in 3 tech (three technique). When I came in at Newman, my defensive line coach COACH P (Pierre-Louis) and Maverick pushed me and helped me every day in practice to be better and become a versatile d-lineman, so I can pass rush and be a run stopper as well. I’ve learned so much more about my position since I been at Newman.”
At this time, Locust has no official college scholarship offers to speak of – save for Wright State, which is more like a recreational football program than anything else.
Locust on his recruiting process:
“They say I’m too short for my position, but I feel like my height doesn’t stop a thing,” Locust said. “I’m a dog regardless. I’ve been going against 6-foot-3 plus offensive linemen my whole high school career and still flourished with my craft. Inches don’t make you a dog. I don’t care about rankings and stars or how big my opponent is. Line me up against anybody. I like me any day. All I ever wanted was an opportunity. I put my shoulder pads and cleats on the same way anybody else does.”
Locust has a direct message for any player who finds himself in a similar situation.
“Keep going,” Locust said. “Keep working. Don’t worry or compare your plate to others. Write your own story. God might not come when you want Him to be. Trust the process. He’s coming.”
Locust went further.
“And stop going down south to get offers or whatever the case may be,” Locust said. “Stay in the 561 and pave a way for the youth. Show them they can make it up outta here too if you work and trust the process.”
On that note, Locust concluded by sharing his individual and team goals for his upcoming senior season at Cardinal Newman.
“I’m looking to have the most sacks in the county, so I’ll say from 20 to 30 sacks,” Locust said. “I want to win Defensive Player of the Year and also be Top 10 in the Top 63. As a team, I just wanna lead my guys to a state championship and set the standard for the young guys so the greatness at Cardinal Newman continues.”
How does that level of greatness happen both now and in the future at Cardinal Newman?
“We come to get better every day and push each other to our limits in the weight room and on the field,” Locust said. “The film should do all the talking, not just measurements.”
ALL PHOTO CREDITS: Top Shot Files
