Falcons RB not dwelling on lost time

Take a look at Paul Weatheroy, and it’s easy to think about what could have been.

But Weatheroy focuses on what still could be.

A highly regarded Air Force recruit from Portland, Ore., Weatheroy, a sophomore tailback, has yet to play a snap in a game because of a pair of surgeries on his left knee.

“He’s had an unfortunate string of luck,” running backs coach Jemal Singleton said. “But he’s still holding on, seeing if he can come back out and do something for us, because he obviously showed some flashes. When we recruited him, we thought he could be somebody that was good for us — a bigger back with size and strength.”

Indeed, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Weatheroy rushed for 2,608 yards and scored 38 touchdowns as a senior at Jesuit High in 2006, and he flashed his potential in four games with the Air Force prep school in 2007 before injuring his troublesome left knee. He was impressive enough that he was one of the first two freshmen, along with cornerback Anthony Wright Jr., moved to the varsity in the 2008 preseason.

Late in the preseason, however, Weatheroy blew out his left knee. And after surgery and rehabilitation, he blew it out again last spring while doing agility work.

“I definitely love playing ball and love being on the field, so it’s been tough for me,” said Weatheroy, who hopes to be ready for spring practices. “But I’m just trying my best to stay focused.”

He’s done that, according to Singleton and coach Troy Calhoun, by rehabbing intensively and attending all running backs meetings. “I’ve loved that about the young man,” Singleton said.

“He’s doing everything he possibly can,” Calhoun said. “And you just hope he can get to a point where he can play.”