Very Positive Article on Big Will
There is no shortage of media interest in whether BWC will be able to salvage his five star potential in this, his last year at Michigan. The article below is the first one that I have seen which gives me real hope that this can actually happen. It comes directly from Campbell and his teammates and you can feel the sincerity behind his desire to be a leader and to make an impact. I love the fact that Rob Renes and Brandon Graham have reached out to Will and mentored him. Definitely worth a read:
I absolutely love me some offseason Will Campbell hype and this year I actually believe it. BWC is about to have a breakout year.
Nice article. Will does look a svelt 315 in those photos....
Forgive my ignorance, but is it common knowledge that the move he made to O-line under Coach Rodriguez was via his (Big Will's) request? I was mistakenly under the impression Coach Rod requested he change sides of the ball. Interesting, I guess.
"how losing weight helped him become a better player". Thank you Brandon for not mentioning those Philly Cheese Steaks.
Hopefully they play this after he makes a sack or big play this year
and spot duty on the DL. He should never have seen the field, considering how valuable that year could have been as a redshirt.
I was a big RR supporter (and still like the guy) but other than his obvious problems with the defense, the only other problem I had with the guy was his bizarre choices when it came to redshirting players. Gardner and Campbell are the two best examples, but there were others as well. I know the guy felt he had to turn things around quickly, but he made some clearly bad decisions when it came to burning redshirts.
March 28th, 2012 at 10:25 AM ^
Yep. What good he thought he was going to get out of DG and WC as pure freshmen is just as perplexing as what he thought he was going to get out of Greg Robinson.
RR isn't the only HC guilty of strange redshirt decisions; Brian has commented many times with much frustration over some of LC's decisions on redshirts. Personally, I think it would be better for everybody if the NCAA made freshmen ineligible again, but then added a fifth year of eligibility. I know that ain't happening, though.
March 28th, 2012 at 11:09 AM ^
But not until 2013, we might need a couple freshman offensive linemen this year.
March 28th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
Can't blame him for playing Gardner. Tate obviously had issues. I'm sure he would have played Tate over Gardner if Tate had his shit together.
here's a kid who came in with a lot of hype, needing to get fit (and realize he was now not the only Thor) with several players in front of him. Linemen on both sides seem to take several years to develop and see their real potential. An extra year to show that potential would have been a nice option for him.
March 28th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^
Coaches make suggestions, but generally let players decide this sort of thing for themselves.
You think Beilein didn't want to red-shirt Carlton B this season? Al Horford - when he was a freshman?
Nice to see the kid recognize the core of the problem and work to make himself better! We're pulling for you BWC!!
Regardless of what happens on the field this season, it looks like his attitude is great and he is setting himself up for success in life which is great to hear.
Perhaps we should be grateful it is "better late than never" but I have to wonder why sitting on the bench for the majority of 3 years wouldn't have been enough motivation to get your act together.
I think this is one of the only times we actually have quotes from BWC himself. That's quite encouraging!
March 28th, 2012 at 10:08 AM ^
BWC will defintely live up to the 'BIG' in his name. I have all the confidence in the world after all the good press he's been getting as a leader and difference maker. He is defintely has been leading by glorious example!
March 28th, 2012 at 10:21 AM ^
during his freshmen or sophmore year. What a waste of a year.
March 28th, 2012 at 10:33 AM ^
That's the biggest thing I took away from this - he's owning up to his actions in the past and is poised to have a big year because of his renewed focus.
Agreed with others that the lack of redshirt is disappointing now, but if he can have a good year in '12-'13 we have plenty of young horses coming in who can make a difference after BWC moves on
March 28th, 2012 at 11:03 AM ^
This reminds so much of Gabe Watson and Terrence Taylor. The same spring stories were being written about them in their final years. Which is a good thing because both of those guys had senior seasons that got them drafted. So, a toast to the ascendency of yet another underperforming, weight-challenged superstar HS prospect.