Plenty of weapons without Wegher
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| Brandon Wegher (left), along with Adam Robinson (center) and Jewell Hampton were expected to be the top 3 running backs this season for the Iowa football team. So far, Wegher hasn’t been with the team and there is no definitive time when he’ll return. (Ryan Kronberg/Special to Daily News) |
IOWA CITY (MCT) — As it stands now, nothing definitive has been decided on Brandon Wegher’s future.
The University of Iowa sophomore is enrolled in school and living in Iowa City.
He hasn’t practiced with the Hawkeyes since Aug. 7.
That’s it.
That’s where it stands. Until Wegher informs Coach Kirk Ferentz he wants to return in 2010 or possibly red-shirt, that might be where it stands for who knows how long. Ferentz reiterated Wegher’s status in a statement Thursday.
“Brandon Wegher has not returned to the team and has not indicated any intentions of doing so in the immediate future,” Ferentz said.
During media day Aug. 6, Wegher spoke of confidence, preparation and shot down rumors about his academic standing. A 2010 return seems unlikely, especially with the season opener a week from today. The Hawkeyes still have Adam Robinson, who rushed for 834 yards last year, and Jewell Hampton, who returns after missing ‘09 with a torn ACL after gaining 463 yards as a freshman.
Three are better than two, but two out of three ain’t bad.
Robinson was the first to jump in after Hampton went to the sideline. He suffered a high-ankle sprain against Michigan State but returned just three weeks later and rushed 20 times for 74 yards at Ohio State. No, it wasn’t a 100-yard effort, but it was 74 yards on a bum ankle against a rush defense that allowed just 2.8 yards a carry last season.
“I think the thing with Adam was once he got his opportunity, he made the most of it,” Iowa running backs coach Lester Erb said. “It’s like anything in life, once you get your opportunity, you better not let it go by. I think Adam got his opportunity. He’s a talented guy. He grabbed the reins and it’s going to be up him.”
Needless to say, Hampton is one of the hungriest players on the team. He was set to be the undisputed No. 1 in ‘09 until he tore an ACL during a non-contact drill during summer conditioning.
“We’re all ready for a competition,” said Hampton, who is suspended for the Sept. 4 season opener because of a June alcohol arrest. “At the end of camp, the competition will take care of itself. The best person will come out on top.”
After Robinson and Hampton, senior Paki O’Meara is next in experience. Freshmen De’Andre Johnson and Marcus Coker could factor.
Johnson, who tore an ACL during his senior season at Monsignor Pace in Miami, carried 25 times for 75 yards in an open scrimmage Aug. 14. Coker injured a shoulder early in camp but is expected to be available.
Johnson has been seen quite a bit in the camp photos on Iowa’s website.
So maybe no red-shirt.
“We’re always looking for guys to emerge,” Erb said. “We’ll see how (Johnson and Coker) develop and how camp goes for them.”
Iowa running backs are generally fighting over 30 carries a game. Last season, Robinson and Wegher split that nearly down the middle, with 16.45 going to Robinson and 13.5 to Wegher.
This season, it could break down several ways, Erb said. One factor will rule all, though.
“I think with a running back, they’ve got to get into the flow of a game,” Erb said. “You’re not really sure until you get into it, but the hot hand might be who Coach Ferentz wants in on that series, too. It’s really going to come down to that.”
That’s where Iowa running back stands right now. Stay tuned. As you know, it can always change.
