Lack of Transfers a Pleasant Surprise
4 comments so far
June 27, 2008 by
It was no surprise last fall that as the 2007 season was falling apart that a number of recruits soon followed. After all, why go into a situation as volatile as things were last November when you’ve got a number of schools to choose from? It seemed likely that once the new coaching staff took over and began to establish a pecking order (i.e. depth chart) that some players would soon follow. But so far, it hasn’t happened.
Defensive tackle Seth Jensen is the only scholarship player with eligibility that is not returning in the fall (citing “personal reasons”). Jensen was a one-time four-star recruit, but his inability to crack the depth chart (even when injuries and graduations gutted the interior defensive line last fall) may have played a role. It’s not that he was “demoted” under the new staff, but he wasn’t “promoted” either.
That’s pretty remarkable when you consider how many transfers we saw even in years when things were seemingly going fine. Yes the Huskers lost some walk-on players (including former Husker Jay Moore’s brother Kyle at linebacker), but that’s also a pretty common occurrence.
There still could be a late defection or two (like Harrison Beck in 2006), but again that’s wouldn’t be out of the norm even without a coaching change. So while this is a fairly “dead” part of the calendar for meaningful football news, it’s encouraging that we haven’t seen more departures. A big part of developing talent is retaining it and so far the coaches are off to a great start.
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brad Jun 27 08
1) We aren't attempting a massive change from an option offense to a WCO this time. It's staying the same.
2) The fans are being supportive of this new staff, so if someone wanted to leave bitching in dramatic fashion they wouldn't have an audience.
3) Pelini seems to have connected well with our current players.
Greg Morrow Jun 27 08
I really thought guys were going to go. Especially, the ones who hadn't used a redshirt. I was really concerned about the young o-line and receivers. Guys from the western states, seemed the most likely.
Most of these guys specifically signed aboard to play in Callahan's system, for the obvious reason. Now, maybe they can still learn the position specific principles and do it in a more college friendly version.
As Brad alludes to, keeping Watson and Gilmore was big. A prudent move by Bo. Nabbing a young guy with fresh viewpoints like Beck hedges against the possibility of losing Watson, after this year.
ze bop Jun 28 08
Well, when the coach that is replacing your old coach walks in with a fresh NC ring on his fingy, and his name is BO friggin' Pelini, and the new big boss is the Wizard of OZ, why on earth would you leave? Things have improved! Besides, BO's cousin Giovanni threatened to break the knee caps of any player that tried to leave.
Where would you go anyway that wouldn't be at best a lateral move? All the really good teams have plenty of good players already so you'd basically have to 'take a #', get in line.
So that leaves you with going to WY or CSU or Fresno ST, or some MAC school and that just doesn't make any sense at all unless you just didn't think you would see playing time at NE, regardless of the coach.
Given BO's rep as a player's coach, a premier motivator and no-nonsense guy, it's my guess that the players are tinkled pink to be Big Red.
OU7times Jun 29 08
"Tickled pink" to be "Big Red"? That's funny. Beats the alternative "tickled red to be Big Pink".