Turner embracing new opportunity at receiver

[Hercules]

This has come up a bit lately, and I'm curious - exactly what schools have been having tremendous success with true freshmen? What players have been standouts? I can think of one standout player last year that was a true freshman: DeAnthony Thomas. And that guy is a complete freak surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers, similar to how Ahman Green and Bobby Newcombe were freaks surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers. Those guys/situations don't come along very often...

 

['SkersRule]

This has come up a bit lately, and I'm curious - exactly what schools have been having tremendous success with true freshmen? What players have been standouts? I can think of one standout player last year that was a true freshman: DeAnthony Thomas. And that guy is a complete freak surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers, similar to how Ahman Green and Bobby Newcombe were freaks surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers. Those guys/situations don't come along very often...

Immediate impact as true freshman in '11

Jamal Turner WR Nebraska

Aaron Green RB Nebraska

Braxton Miller QB Ohio State

Isaiah Crowell RB Georgia

Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina

Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville

Sammy Watkins WR Clemson

I'm sure there are more if a complete and exhaustive list was compiled.

In other years

Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma

Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska

Larry Fitzgerald WR Pitt

Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina

While the number of true freshman who make an immediate impact are relatively small compared to how many freshman in total enter all FBS programs every season there are more than what we think.

 

[HuskerShark]

Call me crazy, but I have literally had the same thought cross through my mind as Hunter94 several times. To me, getting talented kids on the field as true freshmen more often could be somewhat of a recruiting tool. Up until this last season with Abdullah, Green, Heard, Turner, and Moore, we really hadn't had success with getting true freshmen on the field that much (With the exception being Rex because he's Superman).

I have to think that this has some to do with the mentality of Bo and Co. and their priority toward accountability and consistency (which is a great thing). I also think it has to do with the schemes that we run. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year that Beck takes over and simplifies the things we are doing, there are freshmen popping up on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is another story.

I'm not saying that I dislike not having young players on the field, just throwing a few things out there for the heck of it.

 

[Hunter94]

Call me crazy, but I have literally had the same thought cross through my mind as Hunter94 several times. To me, getting talented kids on the field as true freshmen more often could be somewhat of a recruiting tool. Up until this last season with Abdullah, Green, Heard, Turner, and Moore, we really hadn't had success with getting true freshmen on the field that much (With the exception being Rex because he's Superman).

I have to think that this has some to do with the mentality of Bo and Co. and their priority toward accountability and consistency (which is a great thing). I also think it has to do with the schemes that we run. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year that Beck takes over and simplifies the things we are doing, there are freshmen popping up on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is another story.

I'm not saying that I dislike not having young players on the field, just throwing a few things out there for the heck of it.

when Pete Carroll was at USC, he did this better than anyone......just sayin, it can be done, but it always takes special kids and coaches who can tailor plays for them.

 

[kchusker_chris]

Call me crazy, but I have literally had the same thought cross through my mind as Hunter94 several times. To me, getting talented kids on the field as true freshmen more often could be somewhat of a recruiting tool. Up until this last season with Abdullah, Green, Heard, Turner, and Moore, we really hadn't had success with getting true freshmen on the field that much (With the exception being Rex because he's Superman).

I have to think that this has some to do with the mentality of Bo and Co. and their priority toward accountability and consistency (which is a great thing). I also think it has to do with the schemes that we run. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year that Beck takes over and simplifies the things we are doing, there are freshmen popping up on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is another story.

I'm not saying that I dislike not having young players on the field, just throwing a few things out there for the heck of it.

when Pete Carroll was at USC, he did this better than anyone......just sayin, it can be done, but it always takes special kids and coaches who can tailor plays for them.

And a lot of what Rex is today is because of that freshman year. That's the year he built the foundation for last year and this year. It would have been nice if Turner had a similar foundation, or Aaron Green, or Abdulla. None had an "impact" really. They made some catches, showed some promise...but never got the time to have a true impact. Now, they are essentially still freshman when it comes to experience. Giving freshman extensive playing time isn't so much about them being productive in year 1, it's about making sure they are extremely productive in year 3, and hopefully if they are still around, year 4.

Do you think Marlowe will beat out Turner this year? I don't. I think Marlowe, while solid for us last year will have a tough time seeing the field this year. I also don't think he was any better on the field than Turner would have been. So...why did he get an extra 7 games of experience that Turner could have been using to prepare him for this year (and more importantly next)? That's where I have issue w/ the coaches allowing him to dog it in practice. They need to address that early, nip it in the butt and make sure it doesn't drag on and cost the kid half a season. Because we need Turner this year, and now he's not as far along as he could have been. But Marlowe has an extra 7 games of experience...experience that won't have any benefit to this season as well.

 

[Enhance]

It's far more likely that a freshman sees playing time on offense than defense. Insinuating this has to do with Beck's schemes vs. Pelini's schemes is a little outlandish. Players can learn part of the offense and become somewhat situational. Defenders need to know the defense if they want to be successful.

Just look at Alabama's 2011 depth chart - five seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and no freshman on defense. On offense, they had four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores. They had one redshirt freshman listed as a split-time starter to begin the season. But, outside of that, they played almost strictly upperclassmen, and they just won a MNC.

 

[Hunter94]

It's far more likely that a freshman sees playing time on offense than defense. Insinuating this has to do with Beck's schemes vs. Pelini's schemes is a little outlandish. Players can learn part of the offense and become somewhat situational. Defenders need to know the defense if they want to be successful.

Just look at Alabama's 2011 depth chart - five seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and no freshman on defense. On offense, they had four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores. They had one redshirt freshman listed as a split-time starter to begin the season. But, outside of that, they played almost strictly upperclassmen, and they just won a MNC.

that's an example of one team for one season.......your point is valid, but it is not definitive.

 

[Hunter94]

Call me crazy, but I have literally had the same thought cross through my mind as Hunter94 several times. To me, getting talented kids on the field as true freshmen more often could be somewhat of a recruiting tool. Up until this last season with Abdullah, Green, Heard, Turner, and Moore, we really hadn't had success with getting true freshmen on the field that much (With the exception being Rex because he's Superman).

I have to think that this has some to do with the mentality of Bo and Co. and their priority toward accountability and consistency (which is a great thing). I also think it has to do with the schemes that we run. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year that Beck takes over and simplifies the things we are doing, there are freshmen popping up on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is another story.

I'm not saying that I dislike not having young players on the field, just throwing a few things out there for the heck of it.

when Pete Carroll was at USC, he did this better than anyone......just sayin, it can be done, but it always takes special kids and coaches who can tailor plays for them.

And a lot of what Rex is today is because of that freshman year. That's the year he built the foundation for last year and this year. It would have been nice if Turner had a similar foundation, or Aaron Green, or Abdulla. None had an "impact" really. They made some catches, showed some promise...but never got the time to have a true impact. Now, they are essentially still freshman when it comes to experience. Giving freshman extensive playing time isn't so much about them being productive in year 1, it's about making sure they are extremely productive in year 3, and hopefully if they are still around, year 4.

Do you think Marlowe will beat out Turner this year? I don't. I think Marlowe, while solid for us last year will have a tough time seeing the field this year. I also don't think he was any better on the field than Turner would have been. So...why did he get an extra 7 games of experience that Turner could have been using to prepare him for this year (and more importantly next)? That's where I have issue w/ the coaches allowing him to dog it in practice. They need to address that early, nip it in the butt and make sure it doesn't drag on and cost the kid half a season. Because we need Turner this year, and now he's not as far along as he could have been. But Marlowe has an extra 7 games of experience...experience that won't have any benefit to this season as well.

our coaches have a tendency to play guys who understand the concepts at their positions, as opposed to the best athletes, not saying it is right or wrong headed thinking, but that is the nature of what we do at NU...athletically, i would guess Turner is light years ahead of Marlowe.

 

[Enhance]

It's far more likely that a freshman sees playing time on offense than defense. Insinuating this has to do with Beck's schemes vs. Pelini's schemes is a little outlandish. Players can learn part of the offense and become somewhat situational. Defenders need to know the defense if they want to be successful.

Just look at Alabama's 2011 depth chart - five seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and no freshman on defense. On offense, they had four seniors, four juniors and three sophomores. They had one redshirt freshman listed as a split-time starter to begin the season. But, outside of that, they played almost strictly upperclassmen, and they just won a MNC.

that's an example of one team for one season.......your point is valid, but it is not definitive.

My overall point is that this 'we need to play freshman' idea is, quite frankly, stupid. Teams simply just don't do it, unless they lack depth or have an outstanding player.

Analyze every single division one roster and prove me wrong. I will concede - honestly.

Edit - I should say most teams don't do it often.

 

[HuskerShark]

Call me crazy, but I have literally had the same thought cross through my mind as Hunter94 several times. To me, getting talented kids on the field as true freshmen more often could be somewhat of a recruiting tool. Up until this last season with Abdullah, Green, Heard, Turner, and Moore, we really hadn't had success with getting true freshmen on the field that much (With the exception being Rex because he's Superman).

I have to think that this has some to do with the mentality of Bo and Co. and their priority toward accountability and consistency (which is a great thing). I also think it has to do with the schemes that we run. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year that Beck takes over and simplifies the things we are doing, there are freshmen popping up on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is another story.

I'm not saying that I dislike not having young players on the field, just throwing a few things out there for the heck of it.

when Pete Carroll was at USC, he did this better than anyone......just sayin, it can be done, but it always takes special kids and coaches who can tailor plays for them.

And a lot of what Rex is today is because of that freshman year. That's the year he built the foundation for last year and this year. It would have been nice if Turner had a similar foundation, or Aaron Green, or Abdulla. None had an "impact" really. They made some catches, showed some promise...but never got the time to have a true impact. Now, they are essentially still freshman when it comes to experience. Giving freshman extensive playing time isn't so much about them being productive in year 1, it's about making sure they are extremely productive in year 3, and hopefully if they are still around, year 4.

Do you think Marlowe will beat out Turner this year? I don't. I think Marlowe, while solid for us last year will have a tough time seeing the field this year. I also don't think he was any better on the field than Turner would have been. So...why did he get an extra 7 games of experience that Turner could have been using to prepare him for this year (and more importantly next)? That's where I have issue w/ the coaches allowing him to dog it in practice. They need to address that early, nip it in the butt and make sure it doesn't drag on and cost the kid half a season. Because we need Turner this year, and now he's not as far along as he could have been. But Marlowe has an extra 7 games of experience...experience that won't have any benefit to this season as well.

Actually we won't have to worry about this situation now because Turner switched from a 3rd down only receiver to an every-down receiver position. I forget the letters that he used.

 

[Hunter94]

Call me crazy, but I have literally had the same thought cross through my mind as Hunter94 several times. To me, getting talented kids on the field as true freshmen more often could be somewhat of a recruiting tool. Up until this last season with Abdullah, Green, Heard, Turner, and Moore, we really hadn't had success with getting true freshmen on the field that much (With the exception being Rex because he's Superman).

I have to think that this has some to do with the mentality of Bo and Co. and their priority toward accountability and consistency (which is a great thing). I also think it has to do with the schemes that we run. I don't think it's a coincidence that the year that Beck takes over and simplifies the things we are doing, there are freshmen popping up on the offensive side of the ball. Defense is another story.

I'm not saying that I dislike not having young players on the field, just throwing a few things out there for the heck of it.

when Pete Carroll was at USC, he did this better than anyone......just sayin, it can be done, but it always takes special kids and coaches who can tailor plays for them.

And a lot of what Rex is today is because of that freshman year. That's the year he built the foundation for last year and this year. It would have been nice if Turner had a similar foundation, or Aaron Green, or Abdulla. None had an "impact" really. They made some catches, showed some promise...but never got the time to have a true impact. Now, they are essentially still freshman when it comes to experience. Giving freshman extensive playing time isn't so much about them being productive in year 1, it's about making sure they are extremely productive in year 3, and hopefully if they are still around, year 4.

Do you think Marlowe will beat out Turner this year? I don't. I think Marlowe, while solid for us last year will have a tough time seeing the field this year. I also don't think he was any better on the field than Turner would have been. So...why did he get an extra 7 games of experience that Turner could have been using to prepare him for this year (and more importantly next)? That's where I have issue w/ the coaches allowing him to dog it in practice. They need to address that early, nip it in the butt and make sure it doesn't drag on and cost the kid half a season. Because we need Turner this year, and now he's not as far along as he could have been. But Marlowe has an extra 7 games of experience...experience that won't have any benefit to this season as well.

Actually we won't have to worry about this situation now because Turner switched from a 3rd down only receiver to an every-down receiver position. I forget the letters that he used.

you are correct and that should help the offense.

 

[bshirt]

This has come up a bit lately, and I'm curious - exactly what schools have been having tremendous success with true freshmen? What players have been standouts? I can think of one standout player last year that was a true freshman: DeAnthony Thomas. And that guy is a complete freak surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers, similar to how Ahman Green and Bobby Newcombe were freaks surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers. Those guys/situations don't come along very often...

Immediate impact as true freshman in '11

Jamal Turner WR Nebraska

Aaron Green RB Nebraska

Braxton Miller QB Ohio State

Isaiah Crowell RB Georgia

Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina

Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville

Sammy Watkins WR Clemson

I'm sure there are more if a complete and exhaustive list was compiled.

In other years

Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma

Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska

Larry Fitzgerald WR Pitt

Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina

While the number of true freshman who make an immediate impact are relatively small compared to how many freshman in total enter all FBS programs every season there are more than what we think.

Hey, I'm just going for NU but A. Green was an "impact" player last year? For the whole year he only ran the ball 24 times for 105 yds & 2 TDs. That's a pretty low threshold for an impact player I would think.

J. Turner's 15 catches for 243 yds & zero TDs was hardly overwhelming either. Like most freshmen who play, their "impact" was small but they did contribute.

 

[Enhance]

This has come up a bit lately, and I'm curious - exactly what schools have been having tremendous success with true freshmen? What players have been standouts? I can think of one standout player last year that was a true freshman: DeAnthony Thomas. And that guy is a complete freak surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers, similar to how Ahman Green and Bobby Newcombe were freaks surrounded by a bunch of other tremendous playmakers. Those guys/situations don't come along very often...

Immediate impact as true freshman in '11

Jamal Turner WR Nebraska

Aaron Green RB Nebraska

Braxton Miller QB Ohio State

Isaiah Crowell RB Georgia

Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina

Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville

Sammy Watkins WR Clemson

I'm sure there are more if a complete and exhaustive list was compiled.

In other years

Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma

Rex Burkhead RB Nebraska

Larry Fitzgerald WR Pitt

Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina

While the number of true freshman who make an immediate impact are relatively small compared to how many freshman in total enter all FBS programs every season there are more than what we think.

Hey, I'm just going for NU but A. Green was an "impact" player last year? For the whole year he only ran the ball 24 times for 105 yds & 2 TDs. That's a pretty low threshold for an impact player I would think.

J. Turner's 15 catches for 243 yds & zero TDs was hardly overwhelming either. Like most freshmen who play, their "impact" was small but they did contribute.

I agree. He saw playing time, obviously, but there is no way I'd classify him as an "impact" freshman.

 

[zoogs]

In our limited passing offense, and considering those stats were accumulated in 7 games, I would say yes, he was an impact freshman. He definitely qualified before his season derailed for whatever reason.

 

['SkersRule]

Maybe impact used in the traditional sense when talking about Aaron Green is a bit of a stretch. But he still played as a true freshman and had a few brief moments impact most notably the TD pass he caught on a wheel route coming out of the backfield.