Player Profile: J.T. Wortham (with VIDEO)

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

travisd@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - He isn't the biggest player on the Fort Walton Beach football team's roster and he isn't the fastest, either.

But senior J.T. Wortham - who is generously listed at 5-foot-8 on the Vikings' roster - just might be the one player Fort Walton Beach could not live without.

Vikings' coach Mike Owens says it is Wortham and his chameleon-like versatility that is truly irreplaceable.

"He's not the fastest guy out there, or the biggest, but he's a big deal for us," Owens said. "He understands the game."

So much so, that Owens has even given into the notion of putting Wortham - who already factors into the Vikings' plans at running back, slot receiver, special teams and quarterback - on defense.

Wortham welcomes the opportunity.

"I just try to help the team out as much as possible," Wortham said. "I can throw a little bit, I can run and I can catch."

And now, as it turns out, Wortham can blanket an opposing receiver, too.

It was just two summers ago while taking part in a seven-on-seven camp at Troy University that Owens first discovered Wortham's football I.Q. extended beyond offense.

"We threw him at linebacker and said, ‘You have the curl,' and he knew exactly what to do," Owens recalled.

"Because of that, we're working him some at defensive back, mainly as a depth thing, but with work, he may be one of our better guys back there."

Still, growing up idolizing former Dallas Cowboys' running back Emmitt Smith, Wortham - who dons a No. 22 on his jersey - prefers any position that allows him to carry the football.

"I'm small so I can hide behind the line and read blocks better," Wortham said. "I'm not as fast, so the quicker guys on defense overpursue me and I just cut back on them."

As much as he enjoys emulating Smith, Wortham says lining up as a slot receiver has quickly become his favorite thing to do on a football field.

"You don't have to be the tallest guy on the field," Wortham said. "As long as you can catch and make sure you can get open, that's all you need."

As Owens put it, those just happen to be the two strongest facets of Wortham's game.

"On offense, he's always open," Owens said. "He understands if it's a zone or a man (coverage) and where and how to get open, that's what makes him so valuable as a receiver."

That, and Wortham's glue-like hands.

"He can catch a BB in the dark," Owens said. "He's got really good hands."