From the Bench: Legend of the "Big Perm" on Football Field Ends, but Drummond's Impact Special at WVU
By Jeff Toquinto on December 05, 2021 from Sports Blog
Back in April, during West Virginia University’s football team’s spring practices, Coach Neal Brown offered high praise for a player who spent most of his four years with the Mountaineers off the field. However, because of what Brown said, it is almost a certainty what he did off the field had an impact of the players on the field.
“Noah Drummond may be our most-liked kid on our entire football team and he’s sneaky athletic,” said Brown back in April.
With more than 100 players from all walks of life, all parts of the country, and even beyond, that is no easy feat. Then again, those that know Noah Drummond probably are not surprised.
The young man is absolutely one of the most likable individuals as a student-athlete I have ever been around. Although always cordial, back when I interviewed the 2018 Bridgeport High School graduate for a blog I was doing on his nickname – aptly called “Big Perm” – Drummond was fantastic to talk to. Nothing changed, even if the nickname and the reason for it disappeared for a while, during his time at WVU.
Brown’s words are a testament to the young man who has spent four years as part of the Mountaineer football program. Recently, on Nov. 20 to be exact, Drummond played in his final game in Morgantown. He got to come out and be recognized for his contributions on Senior Day in front of a sellout crowd in a Big 12 battle with Texas.
Drummond was escorted on to the field by his mother Cynthia and father Kevin. And while Drummond is not a gambling man, there is one he said he would have taken if offered.
“If I was able to bet on whether or not my mom would cry, I could have made a lot of money. It was instantaneous, and I knew it would be,” Drummond, who will graduate next semester with a business management degree, joked.
On a serious note, Drummond could have played another year. Although he is in his fourth year, he is a redshirt junior and had eligibility to come back. It was not in the cards.
“At this point, I just want to start my career and begin the next phase of my life in anything I can apply my degree to,” said Drummond. “I completed four years with the program and did not feel the need to continue to play football.”
That does not mean he was not welcome to return. Drummond said he and Coach Brown discussed him returning for another year.
“He talked to me about coming back for the fifth year, but I told him that I felt four years was good enough. He was fine with that and told me he would help me if I decided to come back and he would help me in any way he could after I left,” said Drummond.
Drummond was not part of Brown’s initial recruiting class. He signed his letter of intent with former Coach Dana Holgorsen. What he learned while an Indian prepared him for what was next.
“At Bridgeport I learned about hard work and how it pays off everywhere,” said Drummond. “The coaches showed me if you can set your mind o something you can adapt to anything and do anything.”
In Drummond’s case, he had to adapt to a coaching change. After signing with Holgorsen, Drummond spent three years with Brown.
“It’s been a really cool situation to play for Coach Brown,” said Drummond. “He’s a really good person and I can tell you that a lot of the guys on this team really like him and like playing for him.”
And as Brown’s comments above allude to, most on the team liked playing with Drummond on the roster. When asked about the comments, Drummond said there was not a definitive reason.
“I guess it’s just my personality. I try to be friends with everyone on the team from day one and that is probably the simple reason. When I did that, everyone responded and seemed to like me,” said Drummond. “I’ve made a lot of friends and that will be the toughest part. I’m going to miss my teammates and all the friends I’ve made along the way in the program.”
One thing that did not come with Drummond from day one or for portions of his career was the aforementioned “perm.” The nickname started while at Bridgeport Middle School and Drummond credits former BHS assistant Coach Adam King for calling him that – and it stuck.
“All my coaches at Bridgeport called me that. They don’t call me that here,” said Drummond.
As is often the case, things change. And hairstyles are no different. While his perm did not necessarily get the attention when it made its triumphant return on more than one occasion, the manner in which he kept it did.
“I know it’s rare, but I kind of like the mullet and figured I’d try it,” said Drummond of the hairstyle that often gets ridicule. That was not the case in Morgantown.
“I can honestly say no one on the team, the coaches, anyone, made fun of. It was just the opposite,” said Drummond. “I get compliments from just about everyone on it.”
He should. The “permmullet” is a work of art. I am certain Coach King approves.
I am also certain Noah Drummond earned his moment in the sun on Senior Day back on Nov. 20. While a whole lot of youngsters sign to play college ball in various sports, the majority do not go four years. Even fewer go four years when they are not starting. That is not an indictment on those who do not go the distance, but rather the reality of the difficulties to be a student-athlete at any collegiate level.
For Drummond, walking out on the field with his mom and day by his side to take a bow was not only worth it, but it was also earned.
“The last time out there was cool and pretty emotional,” said Drummond. “Growing up and going to all the games and then getting to do that in front of the crowd was special. The who day was a cut above the rest of them here.”
And not just a haircut above. Drummond earned the respect of his coach and teammates during his four years, and in the same time frame represented his family, community, and alma mater in excellent fashion as well.
No matter what the future holds, personally or professionally or even follically, Noah Drummond deserves the best. That is what any most popular Mountaineer football player should receive.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Noah Drummond on Senior Day with mom Cynthia and father Kevin (photo by Dale Sparks), while he's shown heading to the field in the second picture (photo by Tiffany Vannoy). In the third picture, Drummond is shown taking action in on the sidelines (photo by Clay Bollinger). Bottom photo shows Drummond during his middle school days with "the Big Perm" at full capacity. First three images courtesy of WVU Sports Communications, while bottom photo is courtesy of the Drummond family.
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.