Redshirting verses immdiate playing time.

[Wolegib]

Admittedly to some of you this may seem like a dumb question. But we never learn if we don't ask.

Some recruits are undersized for their position. Some need to learn a new position. Some need to transfer their fat into muscle and get in shape. Some are in midseason shape from day 1. and some play a very crowded position. My question is as follows.

From a player's perspective, would you rather redshirt your first year and build your body , and learn your position, or would you rather see live game action at your position? I ask because many athletes in many different sports red shirt. I know a lot of linemen redshirt to add muscles. But, often times it is a QB who will redshirt. I'm just wondering how much players want to play verses accepting the fact they will redshirt that first year. Do players turn down opportunities to go to Alabama if they are informed they will be redshirting? Do the BIG schools redshirt as many players as Purdue does? it's hard to believe a 6'6 330 pound guy would need to redshirt, but it probably happens all the time at certain schools , right?

I'm more interested in hearing from a players' perspective than somebody telling me how many players redshirted last year. anybody know a player and their thoughts?

 

[nat100]

Top 200ish players tend to play immediately. The rest, especially linemen should probably redshirt. There are exceptions like Kerrigan and Allen, but those are outliers.

 

[Wolegib]

I'm just curious what a player's desire would be it seems kind of dumb if we say we can offer immediate playing time if the player knows he's going to redshirt anyway.

Do players accept they are going to be redshirted? or do they want to play even if they're not ready?

 

[nat100]

I had a couple of friends get recruited in the late 90s for D1 football. They both knew they would likely redshirt, but just wanted an opportunity to compete for playing time. I think the ability to compete for PT is more important than anything else. If you get beat out, so be it.

 

[nips18]

Early playing time means playing in your first few years. Teams would love to play juniors and seniors if they could. They are typically stronger, more mature, and know the system. Almost every player should redshirt, when possible.

 

[ossim]

Developmental programs like Purdue will always redshirt a lot. The two parts of being physically and mentally ready are intertwined. Yes you get experience by being on the field, but if you are weaker than the guy across from you and he's basically just pushing you around, your learning curve is twice as long.

 

[Wolegib]

I can agree with all the comments made. But i'm wondering about the player's perspective. Does he realize he needs to bulk up or if he's 4th on the depth chart that it's better for him to redshirt, and he accepts that?

 

[nat100]

Developmental programs like Purdue will always redshirt a lot. The two parts of being physically and mentally ready are intertwined. Yes you get experience by being on the field, but if you are weaker than the guy across from you and he's basically just pushing you around, your learning curve is twice as long.

Agreed. This is the worst part of the Hazell era, he redshirted so few players, especially on the DL. Replogle and Panfil should be 5th year seniors this year.

 

[ITSC-Ret]

Almost every kid coming in thinks they will be competing for playing time right away, but when they arrive on campus, get in the weight room seeing how much some of the grown men are putting up, and how strong and quick they are on the field they soon realize they have work to do, especially in the trenches. Very few lineman coming out of high school are college ready.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Agreed. This is the worst part of the Hazell era, he redshirted so few players, especially on the DL. Replogle and Panfil should be 5th year seniors this year.

With Replogle's migraine and concussion issues, I doubt he would have made it to next year.

 

[nat100]

With Replogle's migraine and concussion issues, I doubt he would have made it to next year.

Dont know that he would have had them if he didnt get thrown to the wolves early, but fair point

 

[bonefish1]

Almost every kid coming in thinks they will be competing for playing time right away, but when they arrive on campus, get in the weight room seeing how much some of the grown men are putting up, and how strong and quick they are on the field they soon realize they have work to do, especially in the trenches. Very few lineman coming out of high school are college ready.

Agreed.
It's a huge jump from dominating on the field in high school to being able to compete in the B10 on the field with some future pros.
Basketball is a different story in terms of freshman competing with upperclassman but in football, I think it takes more time/prep to be ready to compete.