BJ Robertson welcomes a pair of true freshmen to special teams units at UND
Photo by: Brian Morse
Bobcat 'Youth Movement' Infuses Kick Teams with Talent
9/20/2017 1:57:00 PM | Football
Two true freshmen come off redshirt season heading to North Dakota
Saturday afternoon won't feel much like Christmas for Bobcat special teams coach B.J. Robertson, except in one small way.
"It's kind of like getting new toys," Montana State's second-year special teams coordinator said of the process of pulling redshirts off of a pair of young players who have earned varsity time by the convergence of their own practice performance and need presented by injuries. R.J. Fitzgerald and Ryan Davis join Jackson McCleery and Chad Kanow as true freshmen who occupy primary special teams roles for the Cats, and they will likely debut against defending Big Sky Co-Champion North Dakota at 1:30 pm MT Saturday in Grand Forks.
Robertson appreciates the infusion of talent the newcomers bring to the coverage and protection units. "We have a little bit of a youth movement," Robertson said. "There's kind of a rat pack of (true freshmen) that we're excited for."
Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate indicated that Davis (from Billings) and Fitzgerald (of Dillon) have earned starting spots "on some special teams units for us," and that the process was expedited by the schedule. "We just felt like with the bye week where it is, to let these guys go ahead and play is the best thing to do. We're going to need them eventually so rather than having their first game competition be week seven or eight, let's just roll 'em. It's a long season, it gives us the opportunity to see what they can bring to the table."
Players often separate themselves in playing time consideration with special teams ability early in their careers. Bobcat legends such as Dane Fletcher and Caleb Schreibeis established special teams dominance from the very beginning of their varsity careers on their way to All-America status later in their careers. Current CFL star Alex Singleton, a defensive player of the year candidate in that league this season, had his redshirt status revoked midway through his true freshman season and his role on kick teams, and eventually at linebacker, helped boost an injury-decimated MSU team to the 2011 Big Sky Championship.
Singleton understands the value of establishing performance on special teams as well as anyone. "Proving yourself on kick teams and showing you can prepare as a young player on a good team was critical in my career," he said. "It builds trust with the older guys and it shows the coaches you are ready to play."
Robertson said the only true way to evaluate a player's readiness is in games. "Because you can't simulate those reps very well in practice you like to stay with (starters), but as the year goes on with injuries and guys moving up and down the depth chart (special teams are) kind of always in flux a little bit," he said, citing that as a way for young players to earn scrimmage downs. "We had guys like (Brayden) Konkol and Josh Hill last year that did an awesome job (on kick teams), and that propelled their position coach into having more confidence in them and in seeing their ability." Hill started all 11 games for the Cats in 2016, Konkol the last two.
Montana State has long found players that became recognized for their special teams contributions. "Sometimes you're fortunate to have guys like Joey Michael last year, where his main role is special teams," Robertson said. Choate concurred that Fitzgerald and Davis helped identify themselves as possible varsity contributors with their play earlier in dog days of August. "They've shown well through fall camp and the first couple of weeks (of the season)," he said. "They're very competitive young men."
Singleton's redshirt came off later in the season than Fitzgerald and Davis. He contributed immediately, logging three tackles in a late-season game against Idaho State and also in the home FCS Playoff win against New Hampshire. He says he has no regrets.
"Burning your redshirt at times might not feel like the best decision for you personally, but it can mean everything to the team," he said. "I remember I burned mine at an important time in our (2011) season to win the Big Sky, and to this day whenever I see that ring I feel more part of that team than I think I would have if I never burned my redshirt."
The goal is the same in 2017 as it was six seasons ago, and Choate acknowledges that the methodology may be similar, as well. "The youth movement continues."
"It's kind of like getting new toys," Montana State's second-year special teams coordinator said of the process of pulling redshirts off of a pair of young players who have earned varsity time by the convergence of their own practice performance and need presented by injuries. R.J. Fitzgerald and Ryan Davis join Jackson McCleery and Chad Kanow as true freshmen who occupy primary special teams roles for the Cats, and they will likely debut against defending Big Sky Co-Champion North Dakota at 1:30 pm MT Saturday in Grand Forks.
Robertson appreciates the infusion of talent the newcomers bring to the coverage and protection units. "We have a little bit of a youth movement," Robertson said. "There's kind of a rat pack of (true freshmen) that we're excited for."
Bobcat head coach Jeff Choate indicated that Davis (from Billings) and Fitzgerald (of Dillon) have earned starting spots "on some special teams units for us," and that the process was expedited by the schedule. "We just felt like with the bye week where it is, to let these guys go ahead and play is the best thing to do. We're going to need them eventually so rather than having their first game competition be week seven or eight, let's just roll 'em. It's a long season, it gives us the opportunity to see what they can bring to the table."
Players often separate themselves in playing time consideration with special teams ability early in their careers. Bobcat legends such as Dane Fletcher and Caleb Schreibeis established special teams dominance from the very beginning of their varsity careers on their way to All-America status later in their careers. Current CFL star Alex Singleton, a defensive player of the year candidate in that league this season, had his redshirt status revoked midway through his true freshman season and his role on kick teams, and eventually at linebacker, helped boost an injury-decimated MSU team to the 2011 Big Sky Championship.
Singleton understands the value of establishing performance on special teams as well as anyone. "Proving yourself on kick teams and showing you can prepare as a young player on a good team was critical in my career," he said. "It builds trust with the older guys and it shows the coaches you are ready to play."
Robertson said the only true way to evaluate a player's readiness is in games. "Because you can't simulate those reps very well in practice you like to stay with (starters), but as the year goes on with injuries and guys moving up and down the depth chart (special teams are) kind of always in flux a little bit," he said, citing that as a way for young players to earn scrimmage downs. "We had guys like (Brayden) Konkol and Josh Hill last year that did an awesome job (on kick teams), and that propelled their position coach into having more confidence in them and in seeing their ability." Hill started all 11 games for the Cats in 2016, Konkol the last two.
Montana State has long found players that became recognized for their special teams contributions. "Sometimes you're fortunate to have guys like Joey Michael last year, where his main role is special teams," Robertson said. Choate concurred that Fitzgerald and Davis helped identify themselves as possible varsity contributors with their play earlier in dog days of August. "They've shown well through fall camp and the first couple of weeks (of the season)," he said. "They're very competitive young men."
Singleton's redshirt came off later in the season than Fitzgerald and Davis. He contributed immediately, logging three tackles in a late-season game against Idaho State and also in the home FCS Playoff win against New Hampshire. He says he has no regrets.
"Burning your redshirt at times might not feel like the best decision for you personally, but it can mean everything to the team," he said. "I remember I burned mine at an important time in our (2011) season to win the Big Sky, and to this day whenever I see that ring I feel more part of that team than I think I would have if I never burned my redshirt."
The goal is the same in 2017 as it was six seasons ago, and Choate acknowledges that the methodology may be similar, as well. "The youth movement continues."
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