Cabinda's leadership, work ethic set tone for Nittany Lions

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Before he was seeking college scholarships, 14-year-old Jason Cabinda was working behind the counter at home in New Jersey.

The Nittany Lions’ linebacker held part-time jobs at McDonalds and then Staples before working under his high school strength coach to help train the local AAU girls basketball team. Those part-time jobs for minimum wage weren’t the most glamorous as he saved for his first car, but the Penn State senior said Tuesday that “it got the job done.”

It also helped shape Cabinda into the type of worker and leader he is today.

“You’re thankful to be able to do any kind of work, really,” Cabinda said. “It was hard work for not a good amount of money at all. … I was working my eight-hour shifts on the weekends and stuff. It is what it is. It ... put a little bit of money in my pocket and I’m thankful for it.”



As one of Penn State’s three captains -- along with quarterback Trace McSorley and special teams ace/safety Nick Scott  --Cabinda’s leadership skills come naturally according to James Frankin. As the Lions go through their first week of training camp and during the next month as the roster takes shape, tempers are bound to flare as position battles heat up and players look to cement their spot on the depth chart. But, if there’s someone who needs a stern talking to or an upbeat pick-me up, look for Cabinda to provide it.

“Jason works,” Franklin said. “Jason’s mom has taught him the value of work ethic and he gets it. … When he says something he means it and it comes from the heart. He’s got some of the more natural leadership skills I’ve been around.”

Safety Marcus Allen said he thinks of Cabinda’s leadership style as being more along the lines of Ray Lewis. Cabinda smiled and didn’t shy away from telling the assembled group of reporters that he has no issue being the guy to step up and say something if needed.

That’s not always an easy role to step into – especially in college where players are living together, working out together and around each other 24/7 – but it’s a natural fit for Cabinda, whose work ethic sets the tone.

“I’m the type of guy where I’ll look you in the eye and I’ll tell you what’s real,” he said. “I’ll never be fake towards you and tell you what you want to hear. I’ll always tell you what you need to hear. The guys know that. I have no problems saying what needs to be said when it needs to be said right then and there. I think that aggressive style works because I have the type of respect in the program where guys trust my word and they understand no matter what I say – whether it’s something they don’t want to hear at that moment – it’s coming from a good place.”

When Cabinda speaks the conviction in his voice is evident. It’s why when he talks more often than not there’s a group of teammates listening, and if they aren’t onboard with what he’s saying at the beginning of the conversation by the end they usually are.

With a likely starting linebacking corps that will have him flanked by junior Manny Bowen and redshirt junior Koa Farmer, Cabinda will be one of the veteran leaders on defense and especially in the linebacker room where he has more game experience than anyone else.

He’s what defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brent Pry refers to as a “glue guy” because he’s a reliable commodity, while he also consistently praises Cabinda for being one of the team’s top workers.

“We’re a program that’s out here to outwork people,” Cabinda said. “That’s our motto and who we’re going to continue to be.”

Of course Cabinda’s topics of conversation don’t end with what happens on the field as his Twitter feed is as much political as it is personal. In a program where seemingly every Tweet is monitored and media training is part of the incoming routine for freshmen, Franklin said he is OK with Cabinda standing up for his beliefs on social media, mainly because he trusts that Cabinda has already thought out the other side of the argument.

That detail is rare for most 18-to-22-year-olds.

“He’s very intelligent,” Franklin said. “Jason also has very strong opinions, which I’m really good with because Jason is a guy who is very well thought out. He’s not one of those guys who has got strong opinions but he hasn’t thought it through. Jason has thought it through and when he has an opinion he feels strongly about it. I think with that conviction gives him the ability to be a really strong leader.”