GBI Magazine

Didn't they know he had his mind set on being a quarterback? Macarthy was mad. He stewed for a good two weeks, wondering why God would bring him here only to change the plans, yanking away what he'd really wanted, to become a Division I quarterback. "He could have folded then, too," Deji Macarthy said. "He said, 'You know what? I can play receiver.' That's when I saw that confidence in him come back out that I saw in high school. The light switch, it flipped right around that time when they moved him to receiver. He's like, 'I'm going to take this on.' " After redshirting in 2011, Macarthy entered the season in 2012 behind other more-experienced receivers on the depth chart. But when starter O.J. Ross got injured at Ohio State in Week 7, Macarthy stepped in. He didn't wait to seize the opportunity. In the three games without Ross, Macarthy caught 16 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. He was feeling good, gaining confidence from his performance. After his five-catch game against Penn State on Nov. 3, Macarthy got congratulations from father Benjamin in a phone conversation at about 10:30 p.m. It was the last time Macarthy spoke to his father. The next morning, Tem Macarthy came to his younger brother's apartment and told him their father had died, said Benjamin's heart just stopped. And, 10 days later, of all the trips Dolapo Macarthy already had made, he headed out on one he dreaded the most. He left Purdue and got on Interstate 65, heading north for the 83-mile drive back home to Merrillville. Back to a house where his father no longer would be. Back to see his mother and eight siblings grieving. Back to attend his first funeral, for a father who had left a "legacy" of serving, of leading, of love. Macarthy was crying when his cell phone rang. It was Hope. He'd just spoken with Purdue's staff and was able to relay the news: Macarthy was going to get a scholarship. Macarthy kept crying. Overcome, still. But, in that moment, with purpose, with pride, with thanks. In his darkest time, Macarthy saw Hope's news as an answer to one of his deepest prayers and desires, giving Macarthy something he wasn't sure would ever come, not after the journey he'd traveled over the previous four years. "When my dad was alive, he would call me all the time, 'When are they going to give you a scholarship? When are they going to give you a scholarship?' Even after the first week I was here," Macarthy said, smiling. "I'm like, 'Dad, I haven't even played yet. They haven't seen me.' That was his biggest thing, and I know he was smiling down. He knew before I knew that I was going to get it. I just know that was a proud, proud moment." Macarthy seems to only have just begun making Dad proud. Building to be the best At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Dolapo Macarthy certainly passes the look test. But he's quickly proven to pass the he-can-play test, too. Macarthy has showcased strong hands that reach out to snatch passes, instead of letting balls settle against his chest. He's showcased strength to break free from would-be tacklers, averaging 9.3 yards per catch last season despite most of those receptions on quick passes to the sidelines. He's showcased a willingness to work, always lining up first for drills this spring, wanting to take on the leadership role despite being only a second-year receiver. Now, he's ready for so much more, after already experiencing so much. "I look back now at everything that's happened, and I'm glad it happened," Macarthy said. "It's what was supposed to happen. I'm excited for what my future holds and what God has planned for me. "The more I play, the better I'm going to get, the more confidence I'll get with the more success I have. This summer is a huge summer for me. I'm going to go home and work really, really hard, studying this playbook, running these routes consistently, work on my speed, work on everything. I have to work on everything because I'm nowhere near where I want to be. "My goal is to be the best receiver Purdue has ever had and to help us get a lot of success." j Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 5

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