(This is the fifth in a five-part series on Tennessee players whose dad’s played in the NFL. The others: Todd Kelly Jr., Dillon Bates, Kahlil McKenzie, Kivon Bennett.)
By Jimmy Hyams
Baylen Buchanan knew some of his dad’s NFL exploits.
Ray Buchanan was a two-time All-Pro selection. He had 819 tackles, 47 interceptions and scored four touchdowns in a 12-year career.
Did Baylen know those numbers? Almost.
“Actually, I always thought it was 41 interceptions,’’ Baylen said. “I was talking to him today about it and he was like, `It was 47.’
“That’s a big number. It’s something I want to better. That’s hard to do, 47.’’
Getting 47 in high school, college and the pros combined is hard to do – much less in the NFL alone.
Baylen didn’t help himself toward that goal in high school. He said he had only two picks before arriving at Tennessee, which he blamed on two things: poor vision and a stubborn streak.
“I never wore contacts,’’ Baylen said. “I have probably the worst eyes. Whenever the ball would come, I would just bat it down.’’
Baylen declined contacts due to his frustration with putting them in his eyes.
“My dad tried to make me wear goggles one year,’’ Baylen said. “I wasn’t going for that. I didn’t like the look.’’
Buchanan now wears contacts as a sophomore defensive back at Tennessee. In retrospect, Baylen wishes he had heeded his dad’s advice to wear contacts.
It wasn’t the only time Ray Buchanan offered sound advice to his son.
Baylen said he benefitted greatly from growing up in a home with a dad who played in the NFL.
“I don’t think I’d be half the player I am now if it wasn’t for my dad,’’ Baylen said. “He’s been training me since I was in the seventh grade. I always wanted to be an offensive player, but he knew I’d eventually be on defense.’’
Ironically, Ray Buchanan, a running back/safety in high school, went to Louisville as a running back before being switched to defense.
“He wasn’t happy about it,’’ Baylen said, “but his sophomore year is when he started balling out on defense.’’
Ray Buchanan was a third-round pick of the Colts in 1993 but did most of his NFL damage with the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003). He played one year (2004) for the Raiders.
Baylen’s position path was somewhat similar. He was a running back in Pee Wee football before moving to defense as a high school sophomore in Lawrenceville, Ga.
“My mindset was on offense,’’ Baylen said. “I didn’t want to be a defensive player. Then all the sudden, the switch flipped and I just converted to the dark side.’’
Ray Buchanan wasn’t just a star football player in high school. He won state in Illinois in the long jump and triple jump.
Baylen ran track as a freshman, the 100 and 4×100 relay, but “I wasn’t so great.’’ He gave up track after the ninth grade. He stopped playing basketball in high school to focus on football.
Baylen said he targeted football due to his love for the game.
“Looking back,’’ he said, “it wouldn’t have hurt me to stay involved with other sports. But football was just something that my mind was set on, and I loved it too much. So I wanted to convert all my energy into it because I knew it would take me places.’’
Baylen said being the son of a pro football player was never a burden.
“My dad, he wasn’t the type that made it hard on me,’’ Baylen said. “He always preached to me, don’t ever feel down if you don’t do good or somebody says something about your dad.
“So I never had that in my mind. I was always just focused on being who I am, being my own player. He helped me with that. … I never felt like it was a burden.’’
In fact, Baylen saw it more as a blessing.
“I never took it for granted,’’ Baylen said. “Growing up seeing him play, you saw the type respect he got from other people.’’
Although only about 6, Baylen recalls the time his dad blocked a field goal for the Raiders and ran it back for a touchdown in 2004.
“That’s when I realized I wanted to play football,’’ Baylen said. “It’s like I’ve been looking up to him my whole life, taking notes. It’s been a blessing.’’
But Baylen didn’t want to follow all of his dad’s footsteps.
In 2002, Ray Buchanan recorded a rap album.
Baylen laughs when the topic is broached.
“I have heard it,’’ Baylen says with a laugh. “I used to think it was the coolest thing back then. It was a Christian gospel rap album. It was cool. It was pretty good. It was funny.’’
Why did Ray record just one album?
“I don’t know,’’ Baylen said.
Is rapping in Baylen’s future?
“No, not at all,’’ he said. “I love music. I love all types of music. But I’m a football player.’’
A football player who has benefitted greatly from having an NFL dad.
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