OSBORNE HAPPY TO TAKE PART IN SUMMER WORKOUTS

For the first time in a long time Clint Osborne is participating in summer workouts and camps for the Bearcats.

Not because he was away from the game, he was just held back physically. Osborne simply could not stay healthy.

“At first, in eighth grade I dislocated my kneecap,” said Osborne. “It was non-contact, and since then I’ve had like seven dislocations.”

That includes both knees, one requiring surgery, and a shoulder.

“He hasn’t been healthy the last couple years, I don’t think he would have come off the field much if he would have been healthy,” said head coach Doc Crowley.

Osborne finally made it back onto the field for conference play last year and though still somewhat limited at first, he would make 13 tackles and catch one pass.

At last season’s year end awards ceremony Osborne, who also plays baseball, was recognized as the comeback player of the year for the entire Bearcat program.

In 2025 he will be working at outside linebacker/defensive end and at wide receiver, a far cry from the family tradition and even his own playing roots.

Osborne’s father (James) and uncle (Arliss), as well as an older brother (Cam), were all linemen but Clint Osborne started his football in third grade as a quarterback and stayed there through little league.

In seventh grade he became a tight end but was still an option at quarterback.

“I realized I needed to get a lot stronger and a lot bigger because I was starting to deal with linemen stuff when I was playing tight end,” Osborne says of his position progression. “It was a big jump from running the ball to having to block every play.

“Now that I’m a wide receiver I’ve got to work on footwork.”

That, and keeping the knees healthy.

As far as his senior year, Osborne is cognizant that he is the last of the Osborne line, for now anyway.

“I’m not really looking forward to a last game, but I’m excited for our team. I think we have a really good chance to go far in the playoffs,” said Osborne. “Just being with my friends and having my last year, trying to enjoy it.”

Crowley expects Osborne to be one of the Bearcat leaders though the casual observer may not catch it.

“He don’t lead with his words, he leads with what he does and how he works,” said Crowley. “He’s a great kid I hope he can stay healthy and enjoy his senior year. He could be a difference maker for us for sure.”