With all the conversation about whether Bill should pull Wyatt Hubert's redshirt or not - and whether the Cats are too inclined to keep talent on the sideline - I've been a little surprised that there hasn't been more discussion (pro and con) on DT Drew Wiley playing as a true Freshman.
The same kinds of concerns about sufficient playing time to warrant losing a 5th year would seem as applicable to him as to Hubert and the other redshirts. And Wiley hasn't seen a ton of time to date behind Geary, Dishon and Price.
However, the fact that Wiley is on the two-deep (Hubert is not, so far) and seems to be running ahead of Joe Davies, Jordon Robertson and Mitch Copeland (and JC transfer Tevita Fehoko) is promising and it may indicate that the coaching staff plans for his role to grow over the course of the season. I hope so.
There have been exceptions but often (usually?) we end up regretting that lost 5th year. I hated that we played Harris and Sutton last year - without much benefit - and felt that Reuter's first year wasn't productive the prior season. On several occasions I've heard Bill say it pains him to this day that he hadn't sat Monty Beisel in his first year.
Unless they can be in the regular rotation, I prefer that Bill sits the true Freshman. Having said that: Be Great Drew Wiley!
The same kinds of concerns about sufficient playing time to warrant losing a 5th year would seem as applicable to him as to Hubert and the other redshirts. And Wiley hasn't seen a ton of time to date behind Geary, Dishon and Price.
However, the fact that Wiley is on the two-deep (Hubert is not, so far) and seems to be running ahead of Joe Davies, Jordon Robertson and Mitch Copeland (and JC transfer Tevita Fehoko) is promising and it may indicate that the coaching staff plans for his role to grow over the course of the season. I hope so.
There have been exceptions but often (usually?) we end up regretting that lost 5th year. I hated that we played Harris and Sutton last year - without much benefit - and felt that Reuter's first year wasn't productive the prior season. On several occasions I've heard Bill say it pains him to this day that he hadn't sat Monty Beisel in his first year.
Unless they can be in the regular rotation, I prefer that Bill sits the true Freshman. Having said that: Be Great Drew Wiley!
