It would be easy, and even understandable, for senior middle linebacker Darry Beckwith to have a supersized ego.Simply put, the third-year starter is good, and his teammates know it.”He’s very humble,” said redshirt sophomore linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. “Everyone knows that he could have easily gone to the NFL, but he chose to stay.”Beckwith, a Baton Rouge native, delayed the financial spoils of the NFL to return as a senior leader for the Tigers’ 2008 season. He battled injuries in 2007 but still finished with second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as the fifth-leading tackler for the Tigers. “I’ve waited my turn behind a lot of great players — LaRon Landry, Ali Highsmith and Glenn Dorsey,” Beckwith said. “I’ve watched those guys and learned from them. I just took what they did and instilled in me, and I am carrying along the torch.”The sole returning starter at linebacker plans to “carry the torch” by showing he’s not willing to coast through his senior year.”I like to lead with my actions on and off the field,” he said.Teammates say they typically find Beckwith “buried in the playbooks” or encouraging others in the weight room.”He’s a real good leader,” said junior linebacker Perry Riley. “He’s a good guy off the field. He’s not cocky. He views us as equals. He doesn’t jump down your throat if you do something wrong.”Co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto said he was impressed with Beckwith’s vocal leadership when the defense was struggling during a recent practice.”Darry said, ‘Coach, I got ‘em,’ and he brought the whole defense up,” Peveto said. “It was pretty interesting to hear some of the things he had to say. I’ve seen him grow up on the football field and in the classroom, but when they step up and assume a leadership role, it puts a tear to a glass eye.”Kenny Guillot, Beckwith’s high school coach at Parkview Baptist, said he’s proud to watch Beckwith mature as a leader at LSU.”Darry is always going to give you his best,” Guillot said. “I know he’ll have a big part this fall in rallying the troops.”Off the field, Beckwith breaks every stereotype of a burly linebacker. He politely answers questions with “yes ma’am.” And he’s not afraid to raise a few eyebrows with his favorite hobby.”I like to shop,” he said. “I know it sounds kind of feminine. People think linebackers are rugged and rough, but I like to go to the mall.”Girlfriend and LSU soccer player Michelle Makasini knows his softer side better than anyone. Beckwith is an avid chick flick fan, Makasini said with some hesitation.”I don’t think he’ll be mad at me for telling you that,” she said. Their 1 1/2-year relationship required Beckwith to learn the bare bones of soccer knowledge.”It’s exciting, especially when they score a goal. Actually that’s the only thing I really know,” he said, laughing.But Makasini and her family have some doubts about Beckwith’s understanding of the game.”My mom says the ball will be on one side of the field, and he’ll be looking the complete opposite way,” she said.Makasini said she knew Beckwith would stay at LSU. After both earned All-SEC honors in 2007, they set a joint goal to be named All-Americans in their respective sports this season.”I knew he was going to stay,” she said. “It made sense. He wanted to stay in front of his family for another year. He knew he would have a big year this year.”Beckwith said he’s determined to perfect minute details of the game, such as his hand movements against linemen. He frequently calls Highsmith, now with Arizona Cardinals, to get advice for the future.”That’s the biggest thing I need to improve on,” he said. “It’s the one thing I really didn’t do last year … get my hands on linemen and getting off the blocks and making plays, instead of just making tackles.”Beckwith’s game knowledge improved tremendously since first starting as a nose guard in the 7th grade.He wanted to play earlier, but his father objected because of one main concern.”He thought I would get tired of the game,” Beckwith said. “It didn’t happen. I’m still lovin’ it.”And just days before the start to Beckwith’s senior season, Beckwith said he’s never been happier playing the game of football. “This what I was born to do,” he said. “The Lord blessed with me with a lot of ability. This is what my calling is – to play.”—-Contact Amy Brittain at [email protected].