OUInsider - Owen Field

I agree that if they are not in the two deep then they prob shouldnt play but this isnt always the case. The problem with this thought is if the players in front of them are juniors or seniors bc if they are then I think they should play special teams bc even if it is not at their recruited postion the experience does help.

I can see several freshman playing but prob not as many as last year (not bc of short on talent but how young we are at so many positions)

Play
Brandon Williams
Trey Metoyer (as long as everything goes as planned)
Danzel Williams (I could see him playing but could also see him redshirting)
Jordan Phillips
Nathan Hughes
Londell Taylor

Redshirt
Kendall Thompson
Marquis Anderson
Dylan Dismuke
Derek Farniok
Kameel Jackson
Nila Kasitati
PL Lindley
Bennett Okotcha
Franklin Shannon
Max Stevenson
Dan Tapko
Jordan Wade

The only way it differs is injury or one jumps out on special teams.

Brandon Williams. I am also intrigued by J. Phillips, but I am doubtful that he can play with approrpriate technique as yet.

Re the redshirt issue, obviously, we would all like to see every freshman be good enough to play immediately, but that situaiton rarely happens. 10 years ago, I would have prefered to redshirt all freshan not named A.D. However, mid-semester enrolees, transfers, early NFL departees, increasingly multiple offensive/defensive personnel groupings, 13-14 game seasons, and significant injuries have changed my thinking. Now, I prefer to play as many true freshman as possible, thereby forcing player development and improved position depth as fast as possible. Being in game situations (or even the threat of being inserted in a game) makes a player improve at a much faster pace.

I would only redshirt those: (1) who clearly are not ready (injuries, maturity, etc.), (2) with no chance of breaking into their position for at least 2 years, (3) who project as OLs, QBs and/or DTs. The others can contribute on special teams, which comprise about one third of the snaps in a typical football game. Learning how to prepare/contribute at the college level is key when they are new. That can be accomplished while playing special teams.

No way should nila get pt this year bc there are so many really good players in front of him and unless he can beat out ikard or Evans then he redshirts. Adam shead is going to impress a lot when he plays and Irwin is the backup at the other position with Stephen good still getting pt in short yardage plays

I can't see any way that Londell Taylor plays this year. He has been out of football for several years and he is learning a new position as well. Plus, we have a lot of depth at linebacker. IMO if Londell plays this year it will be solely because he ends up being a beast on special teams. However, I share opinions with several posters when j say that unless a freshman earns a spot on the two-deep or plays at least fifteen or twenty plays per game, I don't think we should play them just to run down the field and cover kickoffs five or ten times per game.