North Carolina State University Athletics
Levar The Superstar
11/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. -- During a recent practice, NC State linebacker Levar Fisher approached head coach Chuck Amato with a question: "What is the school record for tackles in a game?" Fisher asked. After conferring with the media relations department, Amato returned with the number. It was 24, held by current Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.
For most college linebackers, making 24 tackles in a single game is nothing more than a pipe dream. But to Levar Fisher, anything's possible. Last weekend at Maryland, the junior from Beaufort, N.C. fell just shy of his goal when he tallied a total of 21 stops in the Pack's double overtime loss to the Terrapins.
In a year when Keith Adams of Clemson and Florida State's Tommy Polley were listed on many of the preseason All-America teams, Levar Fisher has quietly become the ACC's most productive linebacker. And no one understands that more than the coaches who have to play against him.
"He's playing the best right now, I don't think there's any question about that," said Duke coach Carl Franks, who's preparing his Blue Devils for a meeting with Fisher and the Wolfpack this Saturday. "Number 44; you can't help but notice him when you watch them play. He's a very special football player. Levar comes back next year doesn't he? Isn't he a junior? I wonder if he's thought about coming out early?"
Sorry coach Franks, you won't get your wish.
"I'm not going to leave early," Fisher said. "For one, I don't think I'm ready. My family wants me to graduate."
It almost takes a college graduate to add up all the incredible numbers Fisher is putting up. Last week's effort against Maryland marked the 15th time in his career that he's recorded double figure tackles in a game. Over his last five games, Fisher has averaged 17.2 tackles, and he leads his team with 13 tackles for loss this season.
It all adds up to an astonishing average of 15.4 tackles per game, a figure that leads the entire nation. Those who vote for the various All-America teams may want to take note.
"If I'm not an All-American this year, I will be next year," Fisher declared. "I'm trying to get it all next year, including the Butkus Award."
Chances are, Fisher won't have to wait until next year to capture his share of conference and national awards. His remarkable season, if it continues over the last three weeks, will be difficult to overlook when it comes time to fill out ballots for postseason honors. But even if some of the those individual awards don't come his way at the end of the year, Fisher can take solace in knowing that he's already accomplished enough to please his number one fan-and critic: his father.
"Watching me play or looking at me on TV or hearing people talk about me has been a dream come true for him," Fisher said. "He's the best thing in my life and I want to give him my all. If I don't become an All-American, my father is going to love me just as much. If I do, that's just something else he can brag about at his job."
Lewis Fisher, 65, hasn't missed one of his son's games since Levar's sophomore season in high school. Nothing pleases Lewis more than showing off his prodigy to the boys at work down at the State Port in Morehead City.
"He's always bragging on me," Levar Fisher said of his father. "When I go down to his job, I've got to shake everybody's hand. That makes me feel good. He makes sure they're all watching the games and if I do badly, they're going to tell him about it. Most of them are Carolina fans so he's had a lot to brag about this year."
Just like his father, Levar Fisher isn't afraid to do his share of bragging every now and then. But then again, it isn't bragging if you can back it up.
