[TrumpCard]

The staff generally plays true freshmen based on their ability, and very little based on need.  For example, the staff played 3 true freshman DBs this year and so far 0 true freshman DLs.  I think Phillips was a bit of a misleading case last year.  People assume that the staff played him purely out of need.  If you look at his performance, however, you see that he was actually ready.  He's clearly already better than Watkins or Lohn. 

Looking at this year's true freshmen, we've heard nothing to indicate that Jackson or Annan would be as good as Watkins or Lohn at this point.  You'd be blowing a redshirt for a guy who is not ready to play yet and who would be the 6th DL at best.  Not worth it. 

I mentioned in another thread that it might make sense, even at this late date, to move Fanaika to DL.  He was not listed on the participation report so he's not contributing much on offense.  May as well move him to DL where he might be in a better position to contribute.  No loss of a redshirt year and he'd get more experience than he would just riding the bench as an OL.

[TrumpCard]

The staff generally plays true freshmen based on their ability, and very little based on need.  For example, the staff played 3 true freshman DBs this year and so far 0 true freshman DLs.  I think Phillips was a bit of a misleading case last year.  People assume that the staff played him purely out of need.  If you look at his performance, however, you see that he was actually ready.  He's clearly already better than Watkins or Lohn. 

Looking at this year's true freshmen, we've heard nothing to indicate that Jackson or Annan would be as good as Watkins or Lohn at this point.  You'd be blowing a redshirt for a guy who is not ready to play yet and who would be the 6th DL at best.  Not worth it. 

I mentioned in another thread that it might make sense, even at this late date, to move Fanaika to DL.  He was not listed on the participation report so he's not contributing much on offense.  May as well move him to DL where he might be in a better position to contribute.  No loss of a redshirt year and he'd get more experience than he would just riding the bench as an OL.