Patrick Witt Leaving Nebraska Football Program
29 comments so far
February 22, 2009 by
The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that Patrick Witt has asked for his release from the Nebraska football program. The Journal Star story quoted Gene Witt - father of the sophomore-to-be from Wylie, Texas - as saying that the decision has been made and that his son is moving forward. Witt's imminent departure from the Husker program has some serious implications for 2009. And, much more is unknown than known about the reason he has chosen to leave. The timing certainly begs a few questions.
We Hardly Knew Ya, Patrick
Let's start with a fair assessment of Witt's time at NU. He was recruited by the previous coaching staff in 2007. It's fair to say that I was a fan from the beginning. He's a very bright kid (4.0 GPA) with the physical makeup to be a good pocket passer. But, we didn't see too much of him on the field. He appeared in some spots this season as a backup. For his career, he was 6 of 8 for 48 yards. He also rushed four times for 20 yards and a touchdown. The casual fan may see that modest production and see it as very replaceable. But, Witt's departure has serious implications for the Husker roster in 2009.
Roster Implications
Witt was considered to be a major factor in the race to replace Joe Ganz as the Huskers' starting quarterback. It now leaves Junior-to-be Zac Lee firmly in the driver's seat for that spot. Redshirt Cody Spano and highly-touted newcomer Cody Green will likely be the ones providing backup at this point.
No matter how good Lee may be, you can't tell me that Witt's departure makes the Huskers better. There will be less competition at the quarterback position this Spring. And competition improves players. Also, the Lee-Witt-Spano-Green combination provided some serious depth for 2009. Before, NU could afford to redshirt Green and still have three scholarship quarterback's ready to take a snap. Now, one injury to Lee puts a potentially very in-experienced quarterback under center for NU.
Odd Timing, Developing Situation
It is fair to say the timing of Witt's departure is a bit odd. Less than two months ago, NU called on him to take the snap in the Gator Bowl when Ganz was slightly injured. That would have to say something about his position as he entered Spring practice. So, what changed? Did the coaches say something to Witt about his style of play and his fit in an offense that will certainly feature a running quarterback more and more? Did the arrival of Cody Green make a difference in his decision making? All of this is just speculation on my part. The story and situation are still developing. I am curious to hear what - if anything - the NU coaches have to say about this.
For the player, the timing makes some sense if he saw the writing on the wall when it came to fighting off Lee, Green or anybody else. When you know, you know. Leaving the team now provides him some additional time to get his things in order and seek out a place offering the right fit for his talent.
One thing is very clear for the Huskers - the remaining quarterbacks on the roster are all facing a new or better opportunity. Every one of them will need to step up and improve this Spring and during fall camp to help prevent Witt's departure from dramatically affecting the team. For Witt, he is a player in search of a new team. I suspect the coaching staff will grant (or already has granted?) his release. Assuming he won't be transferring within the conference (Texas Tech and Texas A&M were both interested when he was recruited), then I wish him the best of luck.
More Coverage: Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World Herald, Daily Nebraskan, Tim Griffin - ESPN, KETV, Dallas News, Corn Nation
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Nate Feb 22 09
Sorry..pet peeve here.
It's Zac Lee. No "h".
darren Feb 22 09
Nate - so noted and so corrected. Sorry about that. Gotta get the facts straight.
tr Feb 22 09
LJS article said there would be no comment on what happened.... so there must have been something to have happened to not comment on
Brandon Feb 22 09
Darren,
While I agree with the notion that more competition makes a better winner (of the QB race), I never really thought that we'd keep all the QBs we currently have in Lincoln anyway. That said, I didn't think a defection would happen this early either. Of the four, it was pretty logical to think that at least one, maybe even two, of them might not get a chance to see the field if the eventual starter succeeded and Cody Green turned out to be the player he's been billed as. If that's the case can you really blame a kid for leaving? Not every player is willing to go the Beau Davis route.
Good work in asking what is, in my mind, the most pertinent question here: What changed? I've written about the long odds facing Cody Green as a year one starter but what HAS changed since the Gator Bowl, where Witt was QB#2, and now? I hate to say it because it only ups the already high ante, but Green showed up.
Isn't that the biggest variable out there visible from the outside?
Steve Feb 22 09
Witt is a victim of his dads antics. The elder Witt has averaged a call a day to the coaching staff since the Gator bowl looking for guarantees that his son will be the starter next season or he'd leave. Pelini called his bluff and processed the paperwork for dismissing him from his scholarship and faxed it to Witt's dad this afternoon.
Eric S Feb 22 09
I think it may be more that we're going to see a more mobile quarterback come Spring/Fall. Witt may have realized/been advised that his talent (I think he had a lot) may benefit another school better. Hopefully this is better for him, and doesn't hurt us. I liked him a lot, but perhaps this is better.
Renny Feb 22 09
Darren,
Props on hitting this quickly.
Now, I must disagree on its impact on the Husker squad. Maybe I am jumping to conclusions without giving a fair shot, but I honestly cannot recall a game in which Patrick Witt didn't put the ball on the turf. Not all were takeaways but he had some serious ball control issues. Every entrance into the game, I cringed. But again, I may have been a little quick to jump all over him for that. Honestly, it doesn't bother me.
Here is the rumor I am hearing (again, rumor).
Sounds like on Friday during winter conditioning, Lee was placed in the practice at the #1 QB over Witt and Witt had a serious problem with that. He blew up and the situation became what it is today. But that is speculation...and if the speculation is true, then I will help pack the last of the bags.
Joe Ganz was the image of a quarterback taking the team first approach and it paid big dividends for him. I would like to see guys that play at Nebraska follow in those footsteps.
Someone please correct me if I am wrong regarding his fumbling problem...
Renny Feb 22 09
Steve,
I bet Bo wasn't mad to send off that letter. Witt's fumble led to New Mexico State scoring at the end of the game and prevented the shutout...
I'm trying to find individual fumble stats but they are hard to come by it seems.
matador blue Feb 22 09
what a bunch of BS Witt got fed up with the love affair going on with watson and lee. witt never got a fair chance to compete. enough was enough and witt flew the BS flag and bolted. the release you mention steve won't be finished till next week. get your facts straight....
Lelo34 Feb 22 09
umm, matador.....what love affair? Witt was the #2 quarterback all season long. He was the first in when Joe went down in the bowl game.
It's a shame to see a quarterback leave at the first sign of competition for a position he didn't earn, but if he got fed up, then see you later.
teamster Feb 22 09
matador blue, care to elaborate? "Witt never got a fair chance to compete."?? There's no direct coaching going on right now is there?
I'm missing something here.
teamster Feb 22 09
I'm not one to make light of a Husker family member. And I do appreciate Witt's contribution in the backup role.
But I gotta say it because of the humor factor: Anybody a little suspect a year ago when Witt made his escape from a girl's dorm only to be run down and captured by the police? Speed and evasiveness red flag?
nate Feb 23 09
This is absolutely Witt's dad at work here. Nothing else makes sense. He is quoted as saying that "Patrick has no comment..." Why else would he be speaking for his son if he hadn't forced him into it?? Sports parents are getting worse and worse! Just because he couldn't handle his son getting a little competition (just as he would at any other D1 school) the senior Witt pulled him.
(PS: He justified it as saying that Patrick "was going to focus on his grades now..." How much more can he focus when he already has a 4.0!?)
Kody Feb 23 09
Another pet peeve, it's Kody Spano, with a K. Kompletely different than Cody with a C.
tom Feb 23 09
One bright side to this - if Zac Lee is the starter, we're going to see a young backup take the field in mop up situations. That experience is invaluable.
Jason Feb 23 09
Steve, what's your source on Witt's dad calling the staff every day asking for a guarantee? I haven't seen that reported anywhere.
Let's keep the rumor mongering to a minimum. There's plenty to discuss on the impact to the program.
darren Feb 23 09
So corrected, Kody. Geez, Darren, get it right. That's what I get for hurrying.
Lots developing with this story. Pelini has issued a general statement that doesn't offer much.
I see a lot of comments here revolve around Gene Witt's involvement. Would I say he's involved? Absolutely. Why? Because he is the one doing the talking. And it is his son. Who is supposed to be doing the talking? An agent?
As far as the football side of things, I don't think I can be convinced that NU's most experienced backup quarterback leaving the team is a good thing - fumbles, Green, and all the rest included. NU is "one play away" from going in to a game with a very inexperienced player under center. Can't like it...
NU is thinner at QB now. The cause of the defection is secondary to me.
JBLING22 Feb 23 09
Don't forget to add that Martinez will likely play qb now for good.. That could be a blessing in disquise or a waste of a good saftey.. ...
And for Witt leaving, apparently the race for starter next year wasn't as close as everyone thought. He must have thought for whatever reason he had no chance.. Thats either a good thing or a really bad thing.. I don't think a player leaving is ever good, but If it comes down to competition and he left, we don't need him.. What will he do in a competitive game.. Now if the coaching staff hinted that he would be better to seek elsewhere, then I hope this kid becomes an all-american elsewhere... Regardless this kid is getting his education paid for, Congrats to him and his 4.0... He'll go farther than just on a football field
DallasHusker Feb 23 09
"Witt is a victim of his dads antics. The elder Witt has averaged a call a day to the coaching staff since the Gator bowl looking for guarantees that his son will be the starter next season or he'd leave."
Don't forget that his dad packed his family's bags and decided where to relocate their family in the DFW-area based off of what schools were going to cater to the family.
Wylie is pretty much a football-centric town (so much that they have an $8 million football stadium that rivals some college stadiums...nevermind that the school district can't even afford books or qualified teachers for their classrooms...) and how they landed the family's services is suspect, especially considering the other area institutions in the hunt. In short, there's a pattern of this that we can't ignore...
...having said all that, it is too bad Witt is leaving. I thought that he would do well (ran an option/spread hybrid the lone year he was at Wylie) and did well despite not having that many quality players around him, and a coach that called option plays like Frank.
Here's hoping that the younger Witt lands somewhere he enjoys, and that he doesn't let his father run roughshod over him for too much longer (if indeed that is what it is...)
bnahusker Feb 23 09
IMHO this is fantastic news.
Not that Witt is leaving. I find no good news there.
What is fantastic is the fact that "No BS" Bo let everyone know who was in charge, and that this is a team focused unit.
It has always been my opinion that the beginning of the end for Solich (on the field) was his caving in on Eric Crouch. We know the short term benefits and records but I think it hurt the program in the long run. The sooner Bo has all players focused on the team, and their responsibilities to the team, the better they will be.
As far as the future, it is what it is. The staff will coach those that show up, and they will build for a successful season.
Best wishes to young Mr. Witt.
Better wishes to the TEAM!
GBR!
Bob
NEBTEX Feb 23 09
Dallas Husker is on the money. I have met Patrick and seen what he can do on the field at Wylie as well as Nebraska---but the size, the know-ledge and the arm will mean nothing if he doesn't run his own life. I wish him well wherever he goes--hey Gene, just becuz he's going elsewhere doesn't mean he'll start there. Think about it.
HuskerDeck Feb 23 09
The thing I keep reading about with Witt is how smart he is (4.0). What amazes me is that he is so smart why didn't he have enough sense in a very critical part of the Gator Bowl to make sure he protected the ball and not have a turnover. In my mind that is not very football smart. I agree with Renny about ball control issues.
The ole Swede and Husker in South Arkansas
Husker in IL Feb 23 09
I guess this will get the rumor mill spinning even more, but has anyone heard that Witt was intentionally giving Green the wrong signals and the team sort of got in Witt's face?
Brandon Feb 23 09
Husker in IL,
Heard that rumor but for what it's worth, Witt reportedly shot down that rumor via text message on the Big Show with Matt Perrault today (AM 590).
To quote the text message as read on the air:
"Ha, ha...I heard that rumor, too. We don't use any signals so I don't see how that would be even possible. Plus, Cody Green is in Zac Lee's group, not mine."
Do with that what you will. If you're interested, you can here it here (about halfway through the clip).
teamster Feb 24 09
Well, looks like Sip's new column in the LJS clears this issue up a bit. Daddy was wanting a commitment. Sweeeeet!
And here is some more from the Dallasnews. Check out the readers' comments.
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/02/wylies-witt-leaves-nebraska.html
Zephyr Feb 25 09
Kind of like what Rumsfeld said "You go to war with the army you have not the one you'd like"
Same goes for QB's
Jason Feb 25 09
Some Baylor fans are discussing this story over here
Many of them seem confident that they are going to "beat the snot" out of NU this year.
Bill in Iowa Mar 01 09
Pelini's promise to all athletes - you will have an opportunity to compete for a starting postiion and will be given no promises, but a fair opportunity. I think this is an obvious case of a gifted and talented kid and his father (who probably was promised something by Cali - just a guess), but all bets were off when Pelini stepped in.
Did he get a fair shake at becoming the #1 QB. At least the indication from most fans was that he probably WOULD be the starter for next season. But it appears he (or his father) wanted a gauranteed starting position, at least after spring ball.
So, what is that? If Witt fumbles five times in his first game would Pelini have to stay with him. What if the young Cody Green really comes on by mid-season and Pelini wants to name Green the starter. The point is, is that no player should ever receive a gauranteed spot...ever! The competition to start goes all season long and into the off-season. Pelini stuck to his principles, no exceptions, if you want to start at NU, you better be willing to compete for a starting role or go somewhere else.
georgia fan Oct 03 09
This is par for the course for the Witt Family
Their eldest son was playing football at Chattahoochie High in Georgia and the team wasnt very good so they moved heir son to Parkview High because they thought there son would get more exposure. The next year Patrick was the starting quarterback but Parkview wasntmuch good so they pulled him out the next year and moved him to Texas. Bottom line if there kids dont get to start or win championships they pick up there toys and leave.