EWU football: Todd Raynes stands out wherever he’s inserted

Todd Raynes loves a challenge, even the ones he didn’t seek. Recruited to Eastern Washington as a receiver in 2011, he was switched to defensive back. No problem. Buried on the depth chart as a sophomore, he responded by fighting through injury to become one of the Eagles’ top performers on special teams and win several awards before becoming a starter at safety in 2013. All that set him up for an even bigger challenge after he walked into coach Beau Baldwin’s office last winter. “I didn’t know what to expect,” said Raynes, who was told that he’d be playing the crucial roverback position in the Eagles’ new 4-2-5 scheme. “I considered it a compliment when he told me that I had a new challenge,” said Raynes, who responded in typical fashion by hitting the film room as well as the weight room. By spring ball, the three-time, all-Big Sky Conference academic all-star was ready to help teach the new system to the younger players. That didn’t surprise Baldwin a bit. “I can’t say enough about what he’s meant to our program,” Baldwin said. “Everyone wants to change their roles, but the ones who wind up getting to that point are the ones who take that role and make the absolute most of it, and that propels them to greater things as their role grows.” Four years ago, Raynes was a standout wide receiver, defensive back and track star at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington. He was invited to walk on at Washington, where his parents are season ticket holders, but found the right fit in Cheney. As it turned out, Raynes’ older brother, Eric, was a close friend of former EWU defensive lineman Paul Ena, who also played at Inglemoor. “Paul was like a brother to me, but the whole place seemed like one big family,” Raynes said. “It really did feel right during the recruiting process,” said Raynes, adding that the coaches “don’t act any different around you than they do around your parents.” “What you see is what you get,” Raynes said. One thing Raynes didn’t see coming was a switch to defense after his redshirt year. Told by Baldwin that the Eagles were flush at receiver and that move would be the best thing for the team: “I said all right and I haven’t turned back since.” In 2012, Raynes played extensively on special teams and was all-conference academic selection. The following year, he played 13 games at safety, including six as a starter. Rebounding from a hamstring injury that cost him two starts late in the season, he was the defensive player of the week in the FCS playoffs against South Dakota State. A week later he had a career-high 11 tackles in the Eagles’ semifinal loss to Towson. Despite shoulder and knee injuries last year, Raynes played in 10 games and started eight. His biggest day came in the FCS playoff game against Montana, when he won national honors after a game-clinching pick-six in the Eagles’ 37-20 win. Raynes’ outlook for his senior year changed with the new assignment to roverback, a hybrid linebacker/defensive back position that puts the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Raynes closer to the line of scrimmage. New defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding told him, “You know safety so well you should be able to play both positions.” Now he stands next to middle linebacker Miquiyah Zamora. “We’re always on the same page,” said Raynes, who can count on coverage help from veteran safeties Zach Bruce and Miles Weatheroy. “It’s a fun position because I can run around,” Raynes said. More important, he likes the scheme because it “puts us in the position to succeed.” The defense is still a work in progress, but the 22-year-old Raynes said he’s up to the challenge. “I’m really focused on helping the younger guys to continue to develop, and hopefully help us win a national title.” An even bigger challenge awaits next summer, after Raynes earns his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He’ll enter the Navy with hopes of becoming a SEAL. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Raynes, who said he was inspired by two grandfathers who served in Korea. “You should serve your country so that you know what others have sacrificed so that you can enjoy those freedoms.”