Rocky Mount’s Battle groomed for the future

Rocky Mount coach Jason Battle recognized football was headed in a direction. The Gryphons coach wanted Shyheim Battle to be part of it.

Shyheim Battle, a junior defensive back, was guided into the cornerback position well before the start of last season. He had just finished a season playing quarterback for the JV squad as a freshman, but his varsity coach had different plans for the tall, long player once he arrived on the varsity roster.

“Coach Battle told me about the new generation of corners,” Shyheim Battle said. “The long, lengthy ones are the ones that play at the next level. He said my body type is perfect for what you’re asked to do at the position.”

So Battle started to learn what he could about his new position. He went to camps at N.C. State and Clemson the summer before his sophomore season. There, he learned fundamentals, and was able to put what he learned to test by guarding receivers from across the country, and even against players from Brazil.

“The camps showed me everything I needed,” Battle said. “I came into it not really knowing what it was all about, then I started liking it. It didn’t take long for me to have the confidence I do now to to do what I do.”

In his first season at cornerback, Battle recorded two interceptions, including a timely one that put the lid on a Southern Lee comeback bid in the opening round of the 3-A playoffs. His five pass deflections last season was second on the team.

Battle, however, still has big plans for himself this season. A wiry 6 feet, 2 inches, Battle can be a nightmare for receivers hoping to get off the line clean. This summer, Battle learned techniques to play right up to the line of scrimmage, just inches from receivers.

He didn’t play much press last season, as the Gryphons scheme had him starting five or six yards off the ball to help cover the deep third of the field. But Battle figures to see more snaps in press coverage so this season. He learned those intricacies at a USA camp, then honed his skills at a South Carolina camp, and had West Georgia on his schedule as well.

“Coach said I’ll be doing more pressing,” Battle said. “Colleges like to see that I can do that. I learned to watch the inside hip and worked on that at those camps. The hips will tell you everything, every move.

“I’m going to be more physical in press, extend my arms and control the receiver.”

Battle made it a priority to increase his speed before the season, in anticipation of having a bigger impact. He worked on his first step quickness, as well as using his long strides to run with fast receivers.

He dropped time in the 40-yard dash this summer from 4.7 seconds to 4.62 seconds. Battle will be counted on early this season as the Gryphons travel to Apex Middle Creek in Week 1. Middle Creek beat RMH last season, one of three losses including the state championship game defeat against Belmont South Point. Middle Creek likes to throw the ball, and Battle is excited for an early chance to show off what he’s been working on this offseason.

“I know I always have more room for improvement,” Battle said. “Some people said I was too slow, others thought I wasn’t strong enough. I want to start the season out good, and show everyone what I’m about and what we’re about this season.”