Leon Jackson's Departure - A Good Sign for Everyone?
Here's just another example of why I love my wife. I was telling her about the Spring practice and the depth NU is accumulating, particularly at I-back. And she said "Wait a minute. How will they get all of those guys to stay? Don't they want to play?" And, she referenced the fact that I-backs have left NU for just that reason, Marques Simmons being a recent example. Once again, her instincts were right. So were those of several thousand other fans and people close to the program. Leon Jackson - one of the prized running back recruits of 2005 -- is leaving NU. Here are just a few of my thoughts on this particular case, and the subject of players leaving in general.
This isn't new or surprising.
Before the Callahan haters get too up in arms, players leaving to seek playing time isn't exactly something new. It happens at a lot of places, and it happened under both Solich and Osborne. It's not surprising that Leon had kind of been the odd man out at NU from the beginning. The coaches tried different things with him, moving from offense to defense and back again. And, it's not surprising because Leon is a VERY talented player, who should expect to get on the field somehow. If you were rated the 47th best player in the entire country in high school, wouldn't you have an expectation of playing time? Sure. And, this isn't the 1980's, kids will not wait patiently until their junior year to see the field. And, with NU's current and incoming talent at I-back, Leon sees the writing on the wall about his chances at playing meaningful time this year, especially considering the top two I-backs are in his same class.
Why NU then, and where to now?
So, if Leon can't or won't compete with Lucky, Glenn and company now, then why did he sign with NU in the first place? The answer is one word - grades. NU was the team that committed to Leon despite his academic problems. And they were the ones who helped him focus on getting qualified. I can say with confidence that if other schools had been in the picture (USC, Washington), Leon would have looked at NU's class (Lucky, Glenn) and decided to go elsewhere. So where does Leon go from here? My instincts say Washington, so he can be closer to home. And, I believe they run on a "quarter" system for school. So, that may get him on or near the field sooner than other places.
It doesn't "hurt" immediately. But it would be nice to have him.
Some will try to throw Leon under the bus and say we don't really need him because of the players we currently have at I-back. Those people are wrong. As a rule, you always want talented people on your roster. Whether they convert him to flanker, or safety or just playing on special teams, you want that talent quotient as high as you can get it. And, in a position-specific way, you always want depth. USC went from feast to famine at I-back in the drop of a hat, with two guys leaving early, one injury, and another being academically ineligible. Now, they have a fullback, a converted linebacker and true freshmen at I-back. NU has good talent ready at I-back, so it's not an immediate loss. But YES, it would be nice to have Leon on the team.
Showing Class?
I haven't heard directly from Leon yet. But, Coach Callahan's statement about the departure sounded pretty sincere. He thanked him, wished him well and expressed disappointment in seeing him leave so soon in his career. There is not a whole lot else to say. Certainly, this choice by Leon and the recent removal of Mulkey from the team are a stark contrast to the roster turnover from earlier in Callahan's tenure. The departures of Birkle, Pilkington and Incognito were not nearly as classy, on either side.
Do you know who wasn't classy? Leon's high school coach. Wow! He basically made him out to be a prima Dona, saying he wasn't very mentally tough and that he was a high-maintenance player. I've never heard a HS coach bag on a former player like that quite so publicly.
This is right where NU wants (needs!) to be in the new era
I think I was clear earlier that you always want to have talented players on your team. And, this is an almost natural manifestation of having a lot of talented guys on your team. And, in an age of scholarship limitations and early contributions from younger players, this kind of departure can almost be a strangely positive sign for NU's total talent level. The truly strong programs in this new era (like Texas, USC, OU) will always be shedding talent in some way. Look at QB Rocky Hinds' departure from USC to UNLV. Think they would like to have him back now? Or the resurgence of KU under Mangino can be in some part attributed to his bringing some players over from OU. Those kids couldn't get on the field at OU, but they could start at KU. Good for them, good for KU.
The age of places like Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame and yes, Nebraska, hording a majority of the good players on their roster ended almost a decade ago. In the new age, the team that best curates and maintains their 85-man roster are the big winners. Leon's departure is likely a sign that NU is just that much closer to finally being a part of that new club.
Update: Well, that didn't last very long. He's back on the team.
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