If there is one thing that yours truly has been very
outspoken about is that unless a true freshman is really going to make an
impact where it matters, he should redshirt.
There are numerous reasons to redshirt freshmen. For starters, the college game moves a hell of a lot faster than high school, which means decisions have to be made faster. Therefore, the extra season working against starters in practice is a benefit.
Also, highly touted high school studs were often the stars of their team and their league. They were exponentially better than their high school peers. In college, everyone is at least as good if not better. That extra year of conditioning will give the youngster a better chance to handle the rigors of a 12-14 game college schedule.
The verbiage of a playbook (especially on offense) is also far greater in college than in high school as is the intricacy of reading the opposition. Some of that pressure can be alleviated during a redshirt season.
Then there is the whole matter of adjusting from high school to college away from the field. For some of these youngsters, it’s their first time away from home. All of the sudden cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and partying are a juggling act. Throw that in with trying to balance academics with athletics.
The temptation to put the best talent on the field is tough to overcome. The development of a successful program, however, is not about talent alone but it is about the development of an overall player and his maturity to handle the pressures and demands of being a great college football player.
There are numerous reasons to redshirt freshmen. For starters, the college game moves a hell of a lot faster than high school, which means decisions have to be made faster. Therefore, the extra season working against starters in practice is a benefit.
Also, highly touted high school studs were often the stars of their team and their league. They were exponentially better than their high school peers. In college, everyone is at least as good if not better. That extra year of conditioning will give the youngster a better chance to handle the rigors of a 12-14 game college schedule.
The verbiage of a playbook (especially on offense) is also far greater in college than in high school as is the intricacy of reading the opposition. Some of that pressure can be alleviated during a redshirt season.
Then there is the whole matter of adjusting from high school to college away from the field. For some of these youngsters, it’s their first time away from home. All of the sudden cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and partying are a juggling act. Throw that in with trying to balance academics with athletics.
The temptation to put the best talent on the field is tough to overcome. The development of a successful program, however, is not about talent alone but it is about the development of an overall player and his maturity to handle the pressures and demands of being a great college football player.
So how does that tie in to Nebraska in 2012? The
Huskers have five true freshmen that, if reports out of fall camp are true,
could see significant playing time throughout the season: WR Jordan Westerkamp,
QB Tommy Armstrong, CB Charles Jackson, DT Vincent Valentine and RB Imani
Cross.
Westerkamp is a
wide receiver who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, but he also has some of the best
hands you will ever see. However, Nebraska is currently loaded at receiver with
players like Kenny Bell, Quincy Enunwa, Jamal Turner and Tariq Allen, as well
as tight ends Kyler Reed and Ben Cotton. However, considering that dropped
passes plagued the Huskers last season they could use a sure-handed receiver.
Armstrong’s situation,
however, is much trickier. He’s already jumped right into the mix of becoming
the backup quarterback. Coaches and players, like Turner and Enunwa, have both
raved about Armstrong's leadership and skills.
Offensive coordinator Tim Beck said how Armstrong really impressed him in fall practice, observing how fast he picked up on the offense. Add in his skills and leadership, and Armstrong may have the shot at the field this fall. Though do you waste a No. 2 quarterback in mopup duty? I say no. Use him if say starting quarterback Taylor Martinez is significantly injured but don’t waste him in a blowout.
Jackson has impressed his teammates and coaches with his talent and work ethic. According to husker head coach Bo Pelini, “Charles is a talented young man who’s got a lot to learn. He’s really put his time in. He’s working hard at it. I think he’s going to be a really good player in time,” According to Nebraska defensive backs coach Terry Joseph, he is going to see the field and get a lot of snaps this year.
Valentine is one of several true freshmen defensive linemen competing for playing time. But even as a freshman, Valentine is the biggest of all Nebraska defensive linemen weighing 320 pounds.
Defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski said that he moves very well for a big guy and maybe that's what Nebraska needs to compete in the Big Ten, where the linemen are much bigger in the Big Ten than they are in the Big 12, so a big lineman that can move very well may be just what Nebraska needs to help stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback.
Cross has drawn a ton of recent headlines, so much so that even with Rex Burkhead fully entrenched as the starter, it might be impossible to keep Cross off the field. Some have said that Cross already looks like an NFL running back. If that is really the case, he would be a nice change of pace from Burkhead and Ameer Abdullah.
While I have openly advocated redshirting true freshman, head coach Bo Pelini might be compelled to give the aforementioned players significant playing time. While Pelini is not on the hot seat per se, the Huskers have yet to take the next step as a program in going from good to great. The Huskers have had two 9-4 and two 10-4 seasons under Pelini, which have had Husker fans feeling restless.
However, if it means winning now, those players should be on the field often if it gives them the best chance to do so.
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