Bucs' Krakue ready for breakout season

Charleston Southern head coach Jay Mills tells incoming freshmen every year that if they work hard and do the right thing, their efforts will be rewarded.

Kwame Krakue took heed of those words when he arrived as a freshman out of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School in 2006. Though Krakue was redshirted that first season, Mills knew early on that the young wide receiver would eventually be an important part of CSU's offense.

Krakue slowly but surely developed each season.

He played in seven games and caught seven passes in 2007. In 2008, the 5-10, 180-pounder played in 10 games and caught 13 passes.

Last fall, Krakue teamed with Gerald Stevenson to give the Buccaneers one of the more formidable pass-catching duos in the Big South Conference. Stevenson caught 55 passes for 724 yards, earning first-team all- conference honors. Krakue caught 40 passes for 546 yards and was named to the second team.

The pair return for their senior seasons this fall, and Krakue is ready for a breakout season. Mills is especially proud of the underdog players who work hard and says Krakue could serve as the poster child for such players.

"Kwame really epitomizes what we believe a football player at Charleston Southern should be," said Mills at Friday's annual football media day. "He's an extremely hard worker. He's a very tough young man and he's a very trustworthy person.

"He came here as a walk-on player, earned a half scholarship then a full scholarship. He has developed as a receiver to where we can use him inside or outside, and certainly he and Gerald complement each other very well. I really believe, from what I have seen in camp and during the offseason, he is going to have a good senior season."

That offseason work included a renewed commitment to the weight room, so much so that Krakue was named a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American earlier this summer. His body is chiseled granite, and his improved strength has increased his own confidence.

"I always try to do a little extra and try to work harder than everyone else," he said. "God blessed me with athletic ability and all I'm trying to do is enhance what he gave me and get the most out of what I have to work with. I'm stronger than I've ever been, and the extra strength and muscle has made me a much tougher receiver."

Krakue expresses genuine excitement about the upcoming season. With A.J. Toscano returning at quarterback, he feels he will have an opportunity to post impressive numbers and make a strong impact offensively.

As he thinks about what his final season will be like, he pauses to express thanks for the opportunity to play college football.

"I've had to work my way up from the bottom, and I wouldn't have it any other way," he said. "I can honestly say nothing was ever given to me. I was told that if I worked hard and did the right things that my opportunities would be there, and that's been the case.

"I've always taken the responsibility very seriously and that's not going to change now. I still have goals to achieve and this team has goals. I'm going to finish what I started in a big way."

The Bucs open the season at home Sept. 4 against North Greenville.