‘Buckshot’ takes aim at his final shootout as Liberty’s quarterback in Saturday’s Cure Bowl

Before college football recognition and professional football interest arose in the star quarterback’s world, winning a teddy bear for his best friend was the primary use for his arm.

While at a carnival with family and friends, a giant stuffed bear caught his eye. Throwing two out of three footballs through a row of tires would win the prize. Without hesitation, he took the first football in his hand and launched it through the center.

Stephen Buckshot Calvert went on to win two teddy bears in a row, one for himself and one for his friend. Little did he know at the time that the future college football standout had just found his future passion.

Now in December 2019, the south Florida native is hoping to lead the Liberty Flames to their first ever bowl victory on Saturday, when they will face off against Georgia Southern at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., for the Cure Bowl.

With 3,393 passing yards and 26 touchdowns through the air this season, Calvert is drawing the attention of pro football scouts who have also not neglected the over 10,000 career passing yards that go alongside Calvert’s name.

Calvert was raised in Plantation, Fla., in a broken home. Despite having to endure the consequences of his parents’ divorce, Calvert was afforded the blessing of consistent support and encouragement from his family.

“They were always at every game,” Calvert said. “My mom, my dad, my stepdad, my grandma. I always had that support staff around me. They always wanted me to be successful at whatever sport I was playing.”

After a difficult knee surgery sidelined him for his entire high school sophomore season, the young talent decided to leave his private school to play at Miami Carrol City High School, an inner-city school in southern Florida.

Calvert’s junior season of high school was difficult as he battled alongside his teammates to a 5-5 record. Despite not leading his team to a winning season, the strong-armed 16-year-old drew interest from multiple Division I programs in the state, including a scholarship offer from the University of South Florida.

During Calvert’s senior season, the rising star led Carrol City to an impressive 10-2 record, topping nationally known Miami Central 7-6 in the regular season. Carrol City won its opening playoff game but was then knocked out of postseason play in the second round when Miami Central returned the favor in the rematch.

The University of South Florida retracted its scholarship offer during Calvert’s senior season, leaving the young quarterback with two Division I offers: Florida International and Liberty University. Having attended a couple of Liberty’s summer football camps, Calvert chose the latter.

Interestingly enough, a desire to please family still remains one of the primary reasons why Calvert plays the game.

“Growing up I’ve always been involved with sports,” Calvert said. “Whatever was around at the time, whether it was soccer, baseball, football, I was playing it growing up. My dad really pushed me to be the athlete that I am today.”

His 2019 season began with three interceptions and one touchdown pass in the first two games combined. In the games following, the senior quarterback has thrown 25 touchdown passes and only two interceptions and has established himself as one of college football’s most explosive statistical quarterbacks, currently sitting at 12th in the nation in FBS passing yards.

Calvert credits fatherhood for igniting a difference in his performance two games into the season, as the senior’s son was born the day after the Flames second game of the 2019 campaign.

“That’s what kind of keeps me going right now,” Calvert said. “People have been telling me that it changes your life. I’m starting to finally see it.”

The business of the college football season has kept Calvert from being able to spend quality time with his newborn child and family, but the motivation that he found through fatherhood has given the Flames standout extra incentive to produce weekly.

“It definitely gives me a chip on my shoulder to go out there and do right by my family,” Calvert said. “Whether it is football or not, I just want to go out there and provide; to be supportive and always be there for my family members.”

As the Flames look forward to Saturday’s Cure Bowl, Calvert will do so with hopes of teaming up with record-breaking wideout and future NFL draft pick Antonio Gandy-Golden to put on a clinic for NFL scouts.

“These four years that we’ve spent together have truly been a brotherhood,” Calvert said. “He’s a great person. I always tell people that he’s perfect. He’s the golden child.”

Gandy-Golden is currently third in the FBS in receiving yards with 1,333, an incredible accomplishment for the talented senior, but Calvert values his star receiver’s friendship as much as his scoring assistance.

“There’s not really anyone who could talk to him and not like him,” Calvert said. “It means a lot to have a guy who’s not only going to make every play on the field but is going to be there for you off the field.”

NFL interest is significant for Gandy-Golden while Calvert’s chances are less likely.

NFL scouts are likely weary of Calvert’s gunslinger type of playing style as well as the elongated release that comes with it. Calvert has a hitch step forward that is something that quarterbacks can get away with at the college level but will likely be exploited in professional football. Flames offensive coordinator and former professional football quarterback Kent Austin has worked with his strong-armed senior to eliminate some of those issues.

“It’s a dream that I make it to the NFL,” Calvert said.

Regardless of his pro football future, Calvert’s collegiate legacy will go down as one of the finest that Liberty has ever seen amongst its athletes. The four-year starter is aiming to learn more about the Lord as he prepares to depart from Liberty and pursue a profession.

“Over these last four years, I can honestly say I can see Him moving in my life,” Calvert said. “I think the best thing for me and for my life is to let God take over and carry me.”