FEATURED: Lucas Niang
9/21/2019 1:00:00 PM | Football
This feature article originally appeared in the TCU Gameday Program, which is free to all fans at each TCU football home game. Each week, GoFrogs.com will publish the features from the previous edition of the TCU Gameday Program.
By Julie Doles - TCU Athletics Communications Intern
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Where did TCU senior offensive tackle Lucas Balthazar Niang find his love for football?
Niang is the first person in his family to play football... he's also the first person in his family born and raised in America.
His father, Nabi Niang, is from France, and his mother, Fatou Naing, is from Côte d'Ivoire. Although his parents didn't give him his love for the game, they gave him the brains behind his position.
"My parents taught me how to work hard," Niang reflected. "They gave me everything – all the tools to be successful. I got my intelligence from my parents.
I expect perfection from myself just because of how I was raised and what I was taught, but the love for the game is my own."
From driving Niang to practices and games to studying the game of football, his parents have given him unwavering support.
Growing up, Niang played every sport possible – soccer, baseball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, and football. His infatuation with football began in fourth grade when his football team went undefeated through eighth grade. Niang's coaches taught him lessons that expanded into his life off the field.
"The game taught me I was a leader," Niang said. "I never thought of myself as a leader growing up, but on the field when you have success, it just ends up that everybody turns to you and everybody looks at you. I kind of embrace that role as a leader."
His love for football and his role as a leader has expanded into a successful career at TCU. Last season, Niang didn't allow a sack and was the only Horned Frogs offensive lineman to start all 13 games. Pro Football Focus rated him as the top returning offensive tackle in the Big 12 this season.
While suiting up on gameday has proved to be important to Niang, his decision to attend TCU wasn't solely based on football.
"Growing up, I was like, 'All I gotta do is play football,'" he said. "I then saw how my parents func- tioned. It impressed me and made me want to pursue my own education and be smarter than them honestly.
"Knowledge is everything. Education is important in this world."
The Connecticut native decided to attend a university where he believed he could find success both on and off the field. Niang was heavily recruited out of high school and was the No.1offensive tackle in Connecticut.
"I wanted to play the best football I could possibly play and go against the best competition," Niang said. "I heard that was in Texas, so I just wanted to play with the best."
His transition to college football was seamless and he played in 12 games as a freshman. As Niang came off a successful eight-start sophomore season, TCU added another Connecticut native to the roster.
Niang was accompanied at TCU by his former high school teammate, Mike Collins. Together, they won three state championships at New Canaan High School. The two have an unbreakable bond, and it's evident in their chemistry on the field.
"I feel very secure knowing that he's protecting me because he's a beast," Collins said. "He works so hard and he's just a great dude. It's been great playing with him again."
Throughout Niang's career at TCU, he has broken records and formed bonds that will last a lifetime. He has become another integral member of the Frog Family.
"These are my brothers," Niang reflected. "When you go through so much together, that bond is tight. It's a strong one, and I don't think it's one that will break easily."
