ORONO, Maine — Trevor Bates admits there was a time in his life during which he had a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
There were situations at Westbrook High School, and at the University of Maine, in which he got into trouble for drinking.
“It was me and 20 other people, but I was always the one that would get pointed out,” Bates said.
Eventually, after an incident at UMaine, Bates realized that he needed to make some changes in his life if he wanted to succeed.
Ever since, the Black Bears’ relentless defensive end has often put himself in all the right places on and off the football field.
Bates will be one of the catalysts on Saturday afternoon when 0-2 UMaine opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule with a 3:30 p.m. game against traditional rival Rhode Island on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.
It has been a steady rise to stardom for Bates, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound menace who leads coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears with 14 tackles, including 1½ quarterback sacks.
“He’s a playmaker,” said defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak. “He’s always around the ball, has high energy. He’s a guy who when we need a turnover, he’s going to get it.”
In 37 career games, Bates has racked up 164 tackles, including 13 sacks. Last season, his ability for making big plays helped earn him his second straight All-CAA honor, this time on the second team.
He made three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and forced two fumbles.
“He plays with a high motor but he also plays with what we call intelligent effort,” Cosgrove said. “He turned a couple games around last year, Rhode Island and Richmond, with interceptions. He’s just a smart football player.”
Bates was born in Portland and grew up in Westbrook, where he played football, baseball and basketball. He made his mark for former Bangor High standout Jeff Guerette at Westbrook because of his ability to perform at various positions.
Bates was a 215-pound defensive tackle but also saw duty at fullback and tight end.
“It was amazing when we were recruiting him how many positions he played in high school,” marveled Cosgrove.
Bates signed with UMaine for $1,000 in aid, then earned a half scholarship before being awarded a full ride. Initially, the coaching staff couldn’t decide whether to use him as a fullback or as a defensive end.
As fate would have it, even after a planned transition to middle linebacker in 2013, injuries elsewhere assured that Bates would remain at end.
“It’s kind of one of those reassuring things from God, that you’re right where you’re supposed to be,” Bates said.
He would lean on his faith after a drinking-related situation landed him in hot water early in his UMaine career.
In considering the importance in his life of his mother, Christy Bates, Trevor was able to recognize that he needed to make a change.
“It was a wakeup call,” he said. “I really did a 180 after that and I’m thankful for what happened because it helped shape me into the man I am now.”
Bates has directed his energy into positive pursuits ever since.
Despite being a soft-spoken presence in the locker room, Bates is a tireless worker on the practice field and in the weight room. He has transformed himself from an undersized Division I defensive end into a sometimes dominating force.
“What he’s done with his body is pretty awesome,” Harasymiak said. “But he’s kept his explosiveness.”
Bates enjoys the challenge of preparing for opponents through exhaustive film study before he encounters them at the line of scrimmage.
“The more experience you get on the field, the more confident you are,” he said.
“I watch a lot of film on my opponents and I try to see and exploit their weaknesses,” he added.
Bates is again healthy after playing most of the 2014 season with a shoulder injury. Only after having a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test during the offseason was it discovered he had a torn labrum.
There have been no apparent lingering effects this season.
Bates long ago caught the attention of National Football League scouts. They are evaluating his potential, most likely as an outside linebacker.
“He’s got an NFL linebacker body,” Cosgrove said. “He’s got the height and he’s carrying 245, 250 pounds.
“We can do a number of things with him because of his athleticism,” he added.
Bates is intrigued about the possibility of taking his game to the next level.
“I think it’s exciting,” he said, at the same time pointing out the need to concentrate his efforts on his daily work.
“I have such a great opportunity ahead of me that I just try to focus on the present,” he said. “In doing so, that’s going to prepare me for my future.”
Throughout his career, Bates has earned the admiration and respect of his teammates and coaches. He is finishing up his kinesiology, physical education and exercise science degree this semester.
He hopes eventually to work in strength and conditioning or perhaps find a way to influence the lives of young people.
“Working with kids brings me joy and it’s something I’ve done a lot,” he said.
As a senior and a team leader, Bates prefers to let his efforts do most of the talking.
“I just kind of stick to my business, go hard every play and paint the picture that way,” he said. “I lead the best way I can and try to hold people accountable and hope they hold me accountable.”
Cosgrove takes great pride in reflecting on the tremendous personal and football growth demonstrated by Bates.
“Uniquely Trevor has really risen to a higher level than some of his predecessors,” Cosgrove said. “He’s become a very impressive young man in all aspects of his life.
“He’s really a great role model for our football program,” he added.