DK Metcalf's cousin TJ is a 2023 Alabama high school football recruit who wants to make name for himself

Jerell Rushin, The Tuscaloosa News

May 6, 2022 at 6:29 PM·3 min read

Following behind a big name is whatever a person makes it. It's not enough for your own name to hold weight, TJ Metcalf knows.

The Pinson Valley class of 2023 three-star safety is the younger cousin of NFL star receiver DK Metcalf. He's the No. 473 recruit and No. 25 in Alabama according to the 247Sports Composite.

Metcalf, 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, is a Mississippi native like his older cousin and moved to Alabama in middle school. He's proved himself in the competitive Birmingham area.

He finished his junior season with 115 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and eight pass breakups.

Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf runs for yards after the catch against the Lions during the first quarter on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Seattle.

Metcalf released his top 10 schools Friday - Arkansas, Penn State, Miami, Ole Miss, Michigan, Jackson State, Florida State, Michigan State, Georgia and Tennessee.

"I’ve known since I started playing the sport I was going to have to make a name for myself in order to be good and not just be DK’s little cousin," Metcalf said. "I feel like I’ve grown past just the little cousin part. A year ago, two years ago it would’ve been all cool and stuff, but now it's business.

"I like the way (DK) does things. He’s just really done a great job. ... I’m blessed for him to be my cousin. I’m making a name for myself, and I feel like people should start recognizing me for that and not just the little cousin part."

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His Seattle Seahawks cousin played at Ole Miss, as did DK's father, Terrence, who played seven seasons in the NFL on the offensive line in the 2000s. Metcalf's parents graduated from Ole Miss.

"He's just dedicated himself to making his own name as well as strengthening his own name," his father Tarrus said. "I know that DK is a name people associate him with, and that's a good thing. He loves DK no matter what, he idolizes him. He's a role model for TJ. He kind of wants to make his own name."

TJ Metcalf, a Class of 2023 defensive back who plays at Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama

The No. 40 safety in the nation wants to narrow his choices as spring football and track and field season come to an end. He qualified for the AHSAA Class 4A-7A state championships in the long jump.

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Some challenges Metcalf has faced in high school can benefit him in college. He's had a new defensive coordinator each year of his career, he said. New Pinson Valley coach Lee Guess is his third coach.

It's forced him to learn new playbooks. Guess is pushing a leadership role on Metcalf at the same time.

Metcalf calls himself a "true safety" and believes he can play free or strong safety in college like he does at Pinson Valley.

"I believe once I get to college that’s not going to faze me as much as some other players," Metcalf said. "I'm a smart kid. I have a very high IQ when it comes to being an athlete. I feel like every defensive coordinator I had knew that after a couple weeks of seeing how vocal I am on defense, telling folks where to be and stuff like that. It’s been a great experience, but it’s also difficult because you never know who you’re going to get coming in, so you really just have to buy in."

Jerell Rushin is a recruiting reporter for the Tuscaloosa News and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jrushin@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @JerellRushin_.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: DK Metcalf cousin is Alabama high school football recruit for 2023

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