2008 Woodie Awards
Freshmen adjust to NCAA football
Kevin Jacobs
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports
The Miami University football team begins this season with new hope, as they look to make last year's 2-10 record a distant memory.
At the center of the hype for this season is a group of 29 freshmen players who will be the future of the RedHawks.
After graduating 11 seniors from the team, seven of which started at their position, the new talent will have to be ready to jump right in.
"Right now we feel very confident going into the season," Head Coach Shane Montgomery said. "As far as the freshmen are concerned, we felt really good about this class. We felt like this, in the seven years that I've been here, was the best class we've brought in."
Not only will these athletes have to get used to playing college football, but they'll also have to adjust to college life just like any other new
Miami student.
Unlike a traditional first-year student, these first-years will have to worry about attending practices, film studies and games-as well as dealing with the normal transitions from high school to college.
Among the first-year students hoping to get their first steps on the college field are Clay Belton, who was ranked 30th nationally amongst freshmen quarterbacks by ESPN.com, linebacker Ryan Kennedy, and receivers Chris Givens, Jamal Rogers, and Armand Robinson.
So far for the young RedHawks, the summer practices leading up to the start of the season have gone fairly smoothly.
"It's been as good as I can ask so far," Belton said. "As a freshman, you come in and start getting a grasp of everything you 'gotta do; it just makes you feel good about yourself."
Not to say that there haven't been any struggles for the touted prospect.
"The harder parts have been at my position, quarterback; there's a lot more to learn," Belton said. "A lot of the conditioning, getting ready; it's a lot different than high school."
One of the biggest holes to fill will be by the young receiving core in Givens, Rogers, and Robinson, who will have to make up for graduated star Ryne Robinson-who is currently playing in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers.
At the center of the hype for this season is a group of 29 freshmen players who will be the future of the RedHawks.
After graduating 11 seniors from the team, seven of which started at their position, the new talent will have to be ready to jump right in.
"Right now we feel very confident going into the season," Head Coach Shane Montgomery said. "As far as the freshmen are concerned, we felt really good about this class. We felt like this, in the seven years that I've been here, was the best class we've brought in."
Not only will these athletes have to get used to playing college football, but they'll also have to adjust to college life just like any other new
Miami student.
Unlike a traditional first-year student, these first-years will have to worry about attending practices, film studies and games-as well as dealing with the normal transitions from high school to college.
Among the first-year students hoping to get their first steps on the college field are Clay Belton, who was ranked 30th nationally amongst freshmen quarterbacks by ESPN.com, linebacker Ryan Kennedy, and receivers Chris Givens, Jamal Rogers, and Armand Robinson.
So far for the young RedHawks, the summer practices leading up to the start of the season have gone fairly smoothly.
"It's been as good as I can ask so far," Belton said. "As a freshman, you come in and start getting a grasp of everything you 'gotta do; it just makes you feel good about yourself."
Not to say that there haven't been any struggles for the touted prospect.
"The harder parts have been at my position, quarterback; there's a lot more to learn," Belton said. "A lot of the conditioning, getting ready; it's a lot different than high school."
One of the biggest holes to fill will be by the young receiving core in Givens, Rogers, and Robinson, who will have to make up for graduated star Ryne Robinson-who is currently playing in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers.
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