Thompson’s diminutive Dee Tolbert gets it done

ALABASTER, Alabama -- Dee Tolbert of Thompson High laughs off suggestions that he's too small to play football.

"I don't let it get to me," said Tolbert, who was named Destin at birth. "I just use my athletic ability to do what I do."

Friday, the 5-foot-6, 165-pound junior was a big part of the Warriors offense as they opened the season with a 42-6 victory over Shelby County.

He caught six passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a fourth touchdown wiped out on a penalty during a punt return.

"No matter what size you are, anybody can go out there and play," he said.

First-year Thompson coach Mike Montgomery agrees.

"He's been told he can't play football, that he's too small for football," Montgomery said. "I've had guys a lot smaller than him go and play big league. He's that kind of guy.

"He's very strong, very tough," the coach continued. "Through my years of coaching, I have seen big-time players in his frame. He is a big part of what we do. He's one of those kids who can really whatever he wants to."

Tolbert generally plays wide receiver and running back for the Warriors. Montgomery said he wouldn't hesitate using him at defensive back or even outside linebacker.

"He's just that athlete who has that kind of gift," he said. "A lot of talent that he has is God-given and there's not a coach on the face of the Earth that can teach it to him. If you don't defend him properly, that's what you expect."

Tolbert said improving the Thompson passing game was a major emphasis of the offseason.

"Last year, we had a little trouble with our line," he said. "We've got a better pass game this year and that opens up the run. People play us and they stack people in the box because Thompson can't pass the ball. That's the thing we've been working on this summer."

Tolbert lives with teammate Jesse Handlon and his family since his mother Tanya Tolbert works 12-hour shifts in the lab at Carmeuse Lime and Stone in Saginaw.

"I stay with a friend and they treat me like part of the family," he said. "I go and visit my mom, we go and eat and stuff like that."

Tanya Tolbert, a self-described sports mom, said she attends most of Dee's games. She admits that she was hoping for a girl when she was expecting her younger son.

That, and the Florida city of the same name, are why she named him Destin.

"It had a little bit to do with Destin, Fla.," she said. "I went there once and it just stuck with me. Actually, when I got pregnant, I was hoping for a girl and I was going to name her Destiny.

"God knew what he had in store for me," she continued. "Destin was my destiny."

The Thompson junior has gone by Dee since he began playing youth baseball at age 6.

"My first year playing my baseball coach just started calling me that," he said. "Ever since then, I just went with it."

His mother says she will make that official since he doesn't care for the name Destin.

"Not at all," she said. "Actually, I'm about to change his name, to Dee."