Hendersonville's CJ Landrum discusses his love of football and plan to record 15+ sacks
Hendersonville defensive end CJ Landrum fell in love with the game of football because he can punish an opponent for two hours and not get in trouble.
Landrum put a lot of hurt on opposing offenses as a sophomore last season. He recorded 159 total tackles, including 16 for a loss to go along with 10 sacks and 29 quarterback hurries.
This season he wants to abuse more offensive tackles and post 15 or more sacks. Hendersonville also plans to use Landrum's 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame at wide receiver, too.
Coach Kirron Ward said he first met Landrum when he was 6 years old who towered over most people his age.
"He was, at that time, like a gentle giant," he said. "But he was able to turn it on when on the baseball field, football field and basketball court."
Ward said Landrum was shy until he started playing older players in middle school.
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Now he is one of the top leaders on the Hendersonville football team.
For example, to end one of its practices last week, he ran extra sprints with the offensive linemen who were struggling to help them get through it.
Ward said Landrum is always one of the first ones to show up and one of the last to leave practice.
"He is determined to be great, and he wants to play at the next level," he said. "One of the most selfless kids, you're ever gonna coach in life."
One example of Landrum's selflessness was when he first joined the team as a freshman. The coaching staff asked him to play out of position.
Ward said he didn't give complain about playing outside linebacker. Landrum returned to his natural spot after the first game and started to dominate. He finished as the team leader in sacks as a freshman.
Landrum believes his greatest strength as a pass rusher is his footwork. This year he wants to focus on keeping his hips square to the quarterback and play more disciplined.
He also credits his monster season to his other defensive lineman.
Landrum wants to advance past the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs this season. Hendersonville fell to Reidsville 50-35 after going down 22-0 in the first quarter.
He said the coaching staff reminded players about that loss constantly this offseason.
He believes the 2022 team can advance further because they only lost four seniors.
"That's the little hump we're trying to get over this year," Landrum said. "I feel like we have the team to make it to state this year."
However, Hendersonville will have to accomplish that feat with a new coach. Crest hired former coach Jim Sosebee in March. Athletic Director Laura Bruegger appointed Kirron Ward as his successor. He was a longtime assistant under Sosebee, dating back to 2008.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: CJ Landrum discusses his love of football and plan to record 15+ sacks
