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Beck addresses Okafor's departure
Posted by: Steve Sipple on September 16, 2009 at 7:01PM CST

Following Wednesday's practice, Nebraska running backs coach Tim Beck addressed redshirt freshman Collins Okafor's decision to leave the team.

"Certainly you'd love to have him around," Beck said. "Collins made his decision. It hurts you depth-wise down the road, but it is what it is. You have to continue. There are 150 guys on this team that are counting on you to do your job. You have to try to not let those things affect you." 

Beck said the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Okafor, an Omaha Westside graduate, was working mostly with the scout team.

As for Okafor's plans, "I haven't really gotten into detail with it," Beck said.

Okafor also worked with the scout team last season as a redshirt. In his senior season at Westside, he rushed for 1,525 yards and 17 touchdowns to help lead the Warriors to a 7-3 record.

 

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(18) Comments
Posted by: Miller on September 16, 2009 7:03PM CST
Well this doesn't explain a whole lot!

Posted by: Bumarooskie on September 16, 2009 7:05PM CST
We'll see where he ends up. Can't remember who else recruited him out of high school.

Posted by: "huskersRback" on September 16, 2009 7:07PM CST
Kansas was one team he was considering when he declared to NU

Posted by: Miller on September 16, 2009 7:10PM CST
Well where are the comments, I must be missing something.

I'll post it again, the above didn't explain much at all!

Posted by: Miller on September 16, 2009 7:12PM CST
Well sure after I post a 2nd repeat the comments show up. I wish the kid luck, I wish he would've stuck it out also, but oh well! Good luck Okafor!

Posted by: Bornhusker on September 16, 2009 7:29PM CST
Too bad. I'm sure pt potential was his main gripe. Most everyone on this team was all-state or all-city somewhere and most spend a year or two on the scout team; some never play in a game. But these are the guys who prepare you for the competition you're going to face. They push you for playing time and make the team and everyone on it better. Instead of crying about Okafor's departure I'd rather spend time praising all the guys on the team who gladly give it their all in every practice, every day to get their team -- our team -- back on top.

GBR.

Posted by: Colonel Angus on September 16, 2009 7:32PM CST
Collins is a nice young man but its too bad he didn't spend some time with Niles Paul to discuss maturely handling playing time issues.

Posted by: rluben on September 16, 2009 7:37PM CST
Good post Born. I'm sure this is about where he sees himself on the depth chart and he must feel the competiton in front of him is better than he is.

Kinda strange to see a hat picking press conference "look at me I'm so good" recruit
tuck into a ball and assume the fetal position instead of compete hard for a spot.

Hmmph...if I aint going to get playing time, I'm outa here.

Kinda makes that announcement presser even more funny now.

Posted by: The Old Scout on September 16, 2009 8:30PM CST
That press conference by Beck was really worth the wait. Never good to have a player quit. It happens,but it's never good.

Posted by: ArguingWithIdiots on September 16, 2009 11:01PM CST
Remember the hype? I do.

Posted by: Mountainman@ on September 16, 2009 11:40PM CST
Really hurts because this guy was a top instate recruit. He comes in a pays his dues on the scout team, then an out-of-stater comes right in and jumps two slots above him.

Can't see him going to KU or a B-12 school, because he would have to give up two years like Meyer did. If he doesn't go to UNO, then I would suggest he contact Craig Bohl at North Dakota State or Frank Solich at Ohio. Both would love to have him.

One big-time team that currently is really hurting for RB's is Utah. Their top RB is a senior who is hurt right now. The #2 RB is a junior who has not played much. Another 6th year senior RB is on the shelf and may not be able to play at all. This leaves a redshirt freshman RB who for his only carry went 46 yards and managed to get injured on the play. Looks like the 5th string RB might be in line for some carries at that school.

Posted by: UKHusker1 on September 17, 2009 1:16AM CST
I also am sorry to see him go, but see this as a sign of growth for the team. Not all talented HS players grow into talented college players. The competition for PT at Nebraska is getting a lot more intense. Bad for Collins, but good for the team.

GBR!!!!

Posted by: WyHuskerFan on September 17, 2009 8:39AM CST
He can't xfer to another D1 school without sitting out a year, so he'll likely drop down a division so he can play right away. It hurts when instate player xfers. Too bad. I hope it works out like he thinks.
Go guys who stick it out!

Posted by: Big Wave Dave on September 17, 2009 9:07AM CST
Look, as a former coach, I can just say that sometimes, it just does not work out for a kid. it could be grades, friends or lack of, a maturity thing, girlfriend, to much competition, no chemistry with coaches, or any other of a thousand things. Maybe his outlook changed, or it could be money or lack of. Who knows. just wish him luck and thank him for coming.

At Nebraska, Bo's staff are looking for the best young men who can fit their mold. Kids are gonna come in here and do just fine. But, there will be a few that will leave....its not for everyone, that is for sure.

Posted by: Bornhusker on September 17, 2009 10:04AM CST
Great post, Dave. You seem the kind of coach I would have loved playing for.

My intention was not to knock Okafor for leaving; that's his decision and his life. I wish him well. But it sometimes irks me when a guy who quits gets more personal fanfare and press than half of the members of this team will ever see. It's them that we ought to be thanking for coming here.

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