Collins Okafor Leaving Huskers
8 comments so far
September 17, 2009 by
If you're like me, every night you check news online to make sure nothing terrible happened during the day that you should know about. At first glance, this might seem like really bad news to anyone who cares about Husker football. Fans are never happy to see a highly touted player or recent recruit leave the program. The departure of Quentin Castille earlier in the year did put a dent in the perception of the Running Back stable depth this year (at least until Rex Burkhead hit the field), but what does Okafor's departure mean?
Right now, speculation abounds as to why Okafor is leaving Nebraska football. I don't deal in speculation and half truths (much), so lets just list out the fact that can be gleaned from all the stuff out there on the internet.
- Coach Bo Pelini is not commenting, only announcing the news in a statement.
- Spokespersons for the University said that his leaving was his own decision and he didn't have any rules violations, etc on the team.
- Okafor was red-shirted last year, but played pretty well in the spring game.
- Okafor was currently working with the scout team and listed fourth or fifth on the depth chart (depending on how you consider ties for spots - there were four backs in front of him)
- Tim Beck said that losing him will affect depth in the future, but by the implication of his ommission to mention the present, does not hurt our depth at this time.
So what does it all mean when you put it together? Since you come to us for our expert analysis, I will let you know exactly what our emails back and forth at BRN have been saying. There's a possibility that Okafor is a prima donna. Thank Steve for reminding us that he was one of those players who put the multiple hats on a table and did the fake out thing before choosing the Nebraska hat, indicating his desire to come here.
Comments in the stories posted about this have been especially interesting, as they indicate the people think that he's good enough to start somewhere else. Why ride the pine so far down the depth chart when you can transfer and play even sooner? But in cases like this, patience pays off. If he transfers somewhere with some visibility, he's going to have to wait to see playing time anyway, by which time he could have had his chance to see the field here.
Was it a bad move? Probably, but a young guy has to make what decision he thinks is best for himself, and learn from mistakes (if this is a mistake). So rumors and speculation will continue and potentially more will come out about this story in the near future.
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iggy Sep 17 09
history is a great predictor. Name one NU transfer that was actually successful at another program...
I can't think of any of the top of my head...
Bottom line, if you want to leave... go... but pay attention to history becuase the chances of you succeeding anywhere are minimal. He's just a kid, probably doesn't want to put the work in to show the coaches he's the best, and he's probably miffed that Burkhead filled the #2 spot when Castille was bounced. Ego has no place in football, nor does sour grapes.
Best of luck Collins, but history isn't on your side.
caveman99 Sep 17 09
Collins Okafor is now basically the equivalent of a JUCO transfer in eligibility. He has to sit out a year if he goes to another D1 school and has used 1 year of eligibility plus his RS year so he has only 3 years left on the 5 year total NCAA clock. He would have 2 years to play I think after sitting out for a year. He could of course transfer to 1AA if he wants.
Huskerdeck Sep 17 09
I think the ego couldn't handle being on the scout team again and to have so many rbs ahead of him, especially the young man from Colo. who I believe is a walk on. Sometimes these kids have a sense of entitlement and when the going gets tough they have a hard time accepting it.
Cal4Huskers Sep 17 09
According to another news source, Okafor was back at practice today and there was no comment by any of the coaches to the press.
Greg Morrow Sep 17 09
GLAD he changed his mind!
I mean, just walk away from THAT training table?!
Cooler head prevailed.
Hopefully, he won't change his mind again.
He's big. Is he a step slow, in reality?
Facing big competition now, then a couple of new guys will show up soon.
Competition can make people panicky. It's normal.
For him to recognize the implications and be allowed back make this a wonderful thing!
Huskerdeck Sep 17 09
I am glad he is back also. Suck it up and be a man.
tom Sep 17 09
Wow, he learned from his mistakes quicker than I did at that age. Back to practice today. Of course, his decision and reversal could have had nothing to do with football, but we'll probably never know unless he gets awesome, goes pro, and writes a book.
Chief's Son Sep 18 09
Is it just me, or does it seem that the highly touted Nebraska high school football players (Okafor, Niles Paul), think that just because they're Nebraska kids, they can just come in and compete for a starting job against Texas kids without competition? The Nebraska recruits in the past that started, knew that they had to perform at a higher level because of this fact. maybe that needs to be taught by all of our Nebraska High School footall coaches.