Texas-sized thoughts subside for young Husker DBs
digg it!
Facebook
del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit
BYSTEVEN M. SIPPLE
Cornerback Adrain Turner arrived in Lincoln last summer, fresh out of high school, expecting to play right away for the Nebraska football team. Bring on the Big 12's best receivers, he said.
It took less than a month before reality set in, Turner said. He discovered he wasn't ready to play in a game. There were multiple coverages to learn and talented veterans ahead of him. A few of those veterans counseled Turner, he said.
"They told me to be patient and wait for my time," Turner said. "It's my time now."
Nebraska's pre-spring depth chart indicates Turner might be right. The redshirt freshman is listed No. 2 at left corner behind returning starter Fabian Washington.
Another redshirt freshman, Titus Brothers, is listed No. 2 at right corner behind senior Lornell McPherson.
It's a long time until Nebraska's Sept. 4 opener against Western Illinois. The Huskers on Friday completed just the third of 15 spring practices. Then they'll have 29 practices during preseason camp in August. However, it's safe to say both Turner and Brothers are in position to see playing time in 2004 as NU tries to build depth at the position.
Although Turner says it's his time to shine, he has toned down those lofty expectations he had coming out of Terrell (Texas) High School.
"I expect to see a little playing time to get me some experience, to teach me," the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Turner said. However, "I'm glad I redshirted," he said.
If Turner had any qualms about spending last season on the scout team, they evaporated during a warm night last September, when Nebraska played Penn State at Memorial Stadium.
"After the Penn State game, I just settled down," Turner said. He said he gazed at the burgeoning stadium and determined, "Man, I'm not ready for this."
"I didn't know what I was getting into," Turner said. "It ain't what you think it is when you watch it (on television) because you've got automatic checks, coverages, the plays. If you don't know the plays, you can't play. That's the big thing."
Turner played primarily running back as a high school senior, rushing for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead Terrell High to a 9-2 record in Class 4A (Texas' second-largest classification). He also was a standout return man. However, he said, most schools recruited him to play defensive back.
"I played running back my senior basically to make my team better," Turner said. "I was a playmaker, basically."
Meanwhile, Brothers, of San Antonio, played a key role in Judson High's 14-1 record and Class 5A state championship. A 5-11, 190-pound corner, he intercepted two passes, had 18 pass breakups and recorded 30 tackles.
Unlike Turner, Brothers came to Nebraska uncertain of whether he was ready for NCAA Division I-A competition. Even now, Brothers said, he's unsure if he's fully prepared to enter the fray.
"Physically, yes, but mentally and learning all the plays, I can't say that," Brothers said.
Both Brothers and Turner had Arkansas and Texas Christian prominent on their final lists of possible schools to attend, and both were prep standouts in track.
Turner's best time in the 100 meters was 10.4 seconds, and Brothers' was :10.3. Texas A&M, in fact, recruited Brothers for track.
Exactly when and how often the two Texas cornerbacks' speed will be used on college playing fields remains to be seen.
"I think it's still early, but I'm impressed with their athleticism and their ability to run and change direction, and their break and burst," Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said. "To come out of a break and make a burst on the ball - those things are definable. Those things I see.
"But there haven't been enough things thrown at them competitively to get a real good evaluation."
Washington and McPherson, however, both have seen plenty of action in college. Indeed, Washington, a junior, is poised for his third season as a starter after leading the team in pass breakups each of the previous two seasons.
McPherson, a senior, was considered a first-string player last season when he was the starting nickel back.
While Washington and McPherson last season helped Nebraska lead the nation in pass-efficiency defense, Turner and Brothers watched from the stands. They spent ample time with each other both on and off the practice field.
It seems their Texas roots helped fashion a bond, even though Turner lived in a rural area of east Texas, while Brothers lived in the San Antonio suburb of Converse.
"I'm not saying anything against anybody from another state, but there's something about Texas people,"Brothers said.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.
Post Your Comment
Standards and RulesYour posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.