Training Camp: Part II

Last Updated on Monday, 29 November 1999 17:00 Written by Brandon Nash Friday, 07 August 2009 00:54

Football Articles - Football General

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Former Wildcat football star and current Tucson television sports personality Brandon Nash continues his discussion on the lessons learned and the fondness of training camp as it relates to upperclassmen.

 

When the junior year rolls around the forced relationship of being married to training camp is something a player looks forward to. If his performance can live up to his experiences he knows there’s a legitimate chance of being a major contributor during the regular season. It’s a time when you can really show why you were recruited to play at the Division-I level in the first place. For the last two or three years (if redshirted) he’s had to watch upperclassmen get the majority of the snaps in practice and on Saturday’s.

 

You’ve been penciled in as the starter since Spring Practice, you ran with the first-team during voluntary throwing sessions in the summer, and now August comes around and it’s time to walk the talk. At this point guys are realizing that time is moving faster than they thought. Their college career is halfway done and the question is: are you proud of what you’ve accomplished thus far?

 

I look at Nic Grigsby as the perfect example of attacking the junior year of training camp with a sense of urgency. Nic has been the starter for the last two seasons, coming in halfway through the 2007 season. He was challenged in 2008. After fumbling the football at crucial moments last season he saw true freshman Keola Antolin get a few of his snaps and make a name for himself as a player that could share, if not handle, the load of a starting running back.

 

Grigsby has also had some issues with teammates in the past, getting into fights, arguments, etc. Talking to Nic throughout the summer he has one thing on his mind, and that’s to prove he’s the best tailback in the Pac-10 Conference. To do that, he’s going to have to show he can be the guy that can carry this offense.

 

Training camp will be the first step in proving he’s capable. Being the first one on the field and the last one to leave is always a good sign. Breaking up potential clashes between teammates and not being the instigator; basically doing the things that most senior leaders are looked upon to do. It’s that kind of behavior that draws teammates to believe in you when trying to push them. I wasn’t the starter going into my junior year of training camp but I was challenging for the position, and it was my play on the field that separated me from my competition. Being an upperclassman required me to be an example of maturity that freshmen and sophomores could look to as someone that took care of business.

 

When a player’s senior campaign of training camp comes up, if he isn’t a bit sad I would have to question his commitment level this entire time. I say this because a big part of the college football experience is coming to an end. It’s the love-hate relationship that has been the baseline of every season during his career. Seniors embrace going to training camp. They get to meetings and practices at the perfect time (not too early, not too late). They take care of their bodies appropriately, they know when it’s time to turn up the heat during drills and when the coaches want you to sit back and learn. It’s a pattern they could run through with their eyes closed.

 

Through the years they’ve seen the bonding of teammates that leads to winning seasons in years past. They’ve looked up to the seniors before them anticipating the moment when they are asked to speak amongst their peers about the great things that can happen if the team comes together during the tough times that lie ahead.

 

Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell’s career is one I look upon and see some resemblance when reflecting back on my own. My freshman year wasn’t as productive as his, but we both changed positions our junior year, eventually doing the necessary things to earn our teammates respect through blood, sweat, and tears.

 

The defensive line will be a reflection of his actions and his demeanor starting in training camp. Will he coach up the new guys? Will he tell them what it takes to handle the obstacles of training camp?

 

Newcomers and sophomores need guidance. Not only should seniors provide that guidance and leadership, they should look forward to being put in that position. Training camp gives seniors that opportunity. Everyone is challenged during the two weeks of two-a-days and it’s the poise a senior leader displays that makes every underclassmen hopeful that his time will come to lead.

 

A guy doesn’t have to be a starter to be a leader, but he does have to show up when his number is called. Even if he has to take a backseat to younger player that is better.

 

A senior leader will accept his role and be there to support others. If he’s a back up, then he should be the best back up on the team. If all he does is cheer from the sidelines then he should be the loudest one. Years of training camp experiences give a senior football player that kind of confidence and comfortableness within himself to be a leader no matter his role on the team.

 

The love-hate relationship between a player and training camp is part of what makes the college football experience a great one. It’s not something a player likes when it first begins, but once it’s all said and done, every football player would like to practice with the guys for two more weeks.

-B. Nash

 

Brandon Nash lettered for the University of Arizona in football, playing under former head coaches Dick Tomey and John Mackovic from 1997-2001.  Today, Nash is a local television sports personality in Tucson, Arizona, and a regular contributor to WildcatSportsReport.com.