Article Contributed on: 8/11/2007 9:51:13 PM
Laramie, Wyo. - Adams County natives
Russ Arnold and
Ryan Otterson have heard the whispers and read the papers. When evaluating the prospects of the University of Wyoming football team, they and their offensive-line comrades are pinpointed as the big question marks.
Two starters are back, and projected starting right tackle
Kyle Howard moved over after starting last year at guard.
"After those two, there is very little experience, and that is a concern," stated the UW 2007 media guide.
Arnold, a Westminster native who attended Northglenn High School, dismisses any concerns.
"Our offensive line is going to be just fine," he said.
Otterson, a Brighton native and Thornton High grad, concurs.
"'I don't think anyone out there is going to outwork us," he said. "We may not have the experience right now, but we'll grow up fast. And we all have the mindset that we know what we have to do and we will do it. There's no doubt in our mind that we can do this."
Otterson will likely make his first start at left tackle versus Virginia on Sept. 1. Arnold is battling for starting right guard. He's also the backup center.
The two sophomores have had two full years to get ready to play, and they've grown a lot since they arrived on campus in Laramie as true freshmen.
Literally.
Otterson had 240 pounds on his 6-foot 5-inch frame when he came to Laramie. Two years of constant eating and weightlifting later has put him up near 285 pounds. Coaches want him to get up to 300.
"It's a little uncomfortable at first, but then you realize, 'Hey, I have to do this for the next 4-5 years and then I can live my life and get down to my regular weight,' - but who knows what happens after that?" he said.
Arnold came in pretty big, but he's still added 15 pounds to get up to nearly 290 pounds.
Their mental growth more than matches their physical growth.
"The first couple of weeks you're up here, you've never learned so much in your life," Otterson said.
They learn how each play is supposed to work, including who each lineman must block and whether they need to pull off the line of scrimmage. They spend hours going over tape to critique footwork, positioning and how to engage a defender. Their competition in practice is fast and fierce and a coach (or three) is observing every step.
"It's amazing how far you come from day one to now," he said.
Both cringed at the idea of playing as true freshmen. And both said trying to prepare an incoming freshman for what they will go through is impossible.
"You need that first year to learn the offense, get your body ready, to get your mind ready to what things are expected of you," Otterson said. "You can't prepare for that."
After sitting their first season at Wyoming with a redshirt, which allowed them to get accustomed to the Division I football lifestyle without losing a year of eligibility, they played in a few games last season as the Pokes went 6-6, including 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference.
Otterson and Arnold said that experience was invaluable, as no practice can simulate playing in front of thousands of fans during an actual game.
"When it's actually a game and the stands are filled, there's a lot more adrenaline and emotion," Arnold said.
Wyoming linebackers coach
Marty English said the play by the offensive and defensive line could decide whether the Pokes return to a bowl game after a two-year absence.
"If up front, on both sides of the ball we can come together early (we could have a great year), because the only thing we're lacking is experience," he said. "There's a lot of competitive fire and toughness and things that are going to be good for us. Now, if they can handle the things that come with experience and that clicks for us early, we're going to have a great year."
So far, Wyoming head coach
Joe Glenn said he is seeing improvement in the line every day.
"I saw it play the best today," said Glenn on Aug. 10, after the team's first practice with pads on. "I saw some pretty good things today. The protection got better as the practice went on, so that was a good sign."
Making the big time
Adams County natives currently playing Division I football |
|---|
| Name | Hometown | High School | College |
| Russ Arnold | Westminster | Northglenn | Wyoming |
| Brett Denney | Thornton | Legacy | BYU |
| Jeff Hickey | Broomfield | Legacy | Colorado State |
| Marcus Felker | Thornton | Thornton | Wyoming |
| Travis Hillen | Thornton | Thornton | Wyoming |
| Jim Kaylor | Northglenn | Northglenn | Colorado State |
| Chase McBride | Thornton | Broomfield | Colorado |
| Ryan Otterson | Brighton | Thornton | Wyoming |
| Anthony Perkins | Northglenn | Community Christian/Northglenn* | Colorado |
| Gary Stecklein | Thornton | Skyview | Colorado State |
| Josh Tashiro | Thornton | Thornton | Colorado State |
Source: CSURams.com, BYUCougars.com, WyomingAthletics.com, CUBuffs.com |
| * - Anthony Perkins attended school at Community Christian, but since that school doesn't have a football team, he played football at Northglenn High School. |
| Due to the 119 D-I football programs in the country, someone may have been accidently left out. If you have any more football players to add to this list, please e-mail John Eisel at
eiselj@yourhub.com. |