N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson will not participate in spring football practice this year as he devotes his full attention in the spring to baseball, team spokeswoman Annabelle Myers confirmed today.
According to Myers, Wilson's spring itinerary is consistent with a plan agreed upon by Wilson and football coach Tom O'Brien long ago and doesn't necessarily indicate that Wilson will enter the major league baseball draft in the summer and stop playing football.
Wilson's scholarship is for football, and O'Brien wanted him to concentrate on learning the quarterback position in the spring early in his career. In 2008, heading into his redshirt freshman football season, Wilson didn't miss any spring practices as he competed for the starting position.
In 2009, O'Brien excused Wilson from some spring practice sessions to allow him to play baseball and even allowed Wilson to leave the spring football game at halftime to prepare for a baseball game that same day.
This year, with two seasons as a starter under his belt, Wilson will be allowed to concentrate fully on baseball.
"We're just sticking to the plan," O'Brien said in a statement relayed by Myers.
N.C. State starts spring practice on March 9.
Wilson has competed in two football seasons for the Wolfpack, earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2008 and leading the ACC with 31 touchdown passes in 2009. But 2010 will be his third baseball season with the Wolfpack, and he hasn't ruled out the idea of entering the major league draft after the season.
His only comment on his plans regarding the draft has been that he will let his faith guide his decision.
Comments
Amato
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 16:41 — Heels20I haven't seen this reported yet by News and Observer, but Chuck Amato has cancer located on his tonsil. Fortunately, it was detected early so it is expected that he will fully recover. Either way, thoughts and prayers to he and his family.
Russell will be back
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 15:22 — JPDOhioThat's my bet, although I wouldn't lay the house on it.
Because he is not a power hitter or a pitcher with a 100 MPH fastball, I doubt that Russell will command big money if he gets drafted. So, unless he has a monster year and leads the Pack to a national championship, he is likely to be a mid-level draft pick at best. Bottom line is that I don't think this will be a money issue at all. I think his pro-baseball prospects are long-term at best and that he will return to State for at least one more football season.
That said, you won't get rich betting against this kid. He is focused, dedicated and possesses unusual leadership skills. If anyone can succeed doing this, it is Russell Wilson. What this decision does is allow him to focus on baseball and remove the "what ifs". If he continued to participate in football during the spring and is drafted low or not at all, there would always be that "what if I devoted my full attention to baseball?" question hanging out there.
TOB and his staff should be commended for agreeing to this approach. More than a few coaches would be spewing ultimatums at this point.
Overall, good decision
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 15:02 — Heels20There are a few negatives that could come from this. Glennon is a totally different QB from Wilson, so it's going to be an adjustment for the other offense players to get used to blocking for/catching for a different QB. Fortunately, this is not nearly as big of an issue as it would have been a year ago, as Dana Bible wisely kept Wilson in the pocket more this year, slowly tweaking the system to be more of a fit for Glennon.
When all options are weighed out, this may not be ideal, but it was the smartest decision. Glennon needs to fully develop and be prepared to take over, and Wilson needs to focus on his future in baseball. While I think there could be a few setbacks from missing spring practice, I think Wilson is talented enough to overcome most of that and keep it from becoming a major issue. This is going to be another year where I would REALLY like to play the Pack at the beginning of the season and avoid playing them at the end. Either way, I wish Wilson the best and wouldn't mind seeing him in a Wolfpack football uniform next season.
RW
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 13:33 — hellfishGood decision to play BB and get some cash to boot. Why would he want to come back to another 4-8 team and risk getting hurt and not being able to play either sport!
My guess
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 12:09 — JPDOhioWe won't know if Russell is coming back until June, after the MLB draft. Meanwhile, this helps Glennon and the rest of the backup QB's and hurts no one. And it gives Russell a chance to focus on baseball and potentially improve his draft status.
It makes sense to give the spring reps to the backups in case Russell doesn't come back. If he does come back, it's not like missing spring practice is going to matter that much.
Spot On
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 13:13 — YAR8packI believe your guess is spot on. Russell missing spring practice won't hurt anyone all that much. Russell could probably coach the offense on his own. Also, I guarantee Russell will be around to help the other quarterbacks with terminology and game-day situations and as a continual leader for the Pack offense. Glennon's gonna be playing someday, and I'd rather have him prepared.
The only negative I could possibly foresee is his getting hurt while playing baseball. But, hey, over the past two seasons two ACC players-TJ Yates and Nate Irving--proved that freak injuries and near death can occur at random.
And if Russell decides to go to the MLB draft in June, well, if things don't work out in baseball he'll have two years of eligibility left. ;-)
Rut Rhoo I don't know
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 12:33 — unc098Rut Rhoo
I don't know about that. Doesn't look good for the fall. Glennon is going to need a lot of reps to get up to speed. But so it goes in this crazy world. Even though I'm a tarheel fan I would miss following Wilson next season. I think he is the best QB the pack has had for some time and one of the best in the ACC. I also want UNC to have another crack at him. I think he would have an excellent year. He has to look after his own interests though and I wish him well.
Can't believe I'm saying this !!
Come back
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 12:56 — SurferAgree with you and JDP above. Missing the spring won't make much difference, but would only help Glennon. I do hope RW comes back, for obvious reasons.