Russell Shepard = (potentially) Johnny Rodgers

I believe that RS could be our Johnny Rodgers. For those who may not be aware, Johnny Rodgers was (from Wikipedia): "As a player with the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, Rodgers served as a punt return specialist, pass receiver, and running back. Rodgers broke virtually every offensive team record, was twice named to the College Football All-America Team and won the Walter Camp Award and the Heisman Trophy in 1972 for most outstanding player in college football in the United States."

I realize that the college game has changed over the last 38 years, but I believe that RS has similar skills to JR. Nebraska did a great job of putting him in position to make plays (technically, he was a wing back). His Orange Bowl in 1973 is still considered by many in Nebraska to be one of the 2 greatest offensive efforts ever by a Husker (the other being Frazier's dismantling of UF in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl). In that game, JR ran for 3 TDs, caught a 50 yd. TD pass and threw a 54 yd. TD pass.

We really need to figure out a way to use RS.

Anyhow, something to think about / wish for. Thoughts?

 

He needs an O line to run behind.

 

Very true but I also think he needs our coaching staff to have a little faith and put him in the damn game rather than sitting him. Its hard to do any thing when you cant get the ball.

 

Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers
--freshman year at Nebraska -- 1969 -- didn't play
--sophomore year at Nebraska -- 1970 -- 36 rushing attempts for 219 yards and 35 receptions for 665 yards

Russell Shepard
--freshman year at LSU -- 2009 -- 45 rushing attempts for 277 yards and 5 receptions for 34 yards
--sophomore year at LSU -- 2010 -- ????????

 

fixed

 

Also, look at Urban Meyer's Florida and what they did with Percy Harvin as a freshman compared to what LSU did with Shep as a freshman:

Shep as freshman at LSU -- 45 carries for 277 yards and 5 receptions for 34 yards
Harvin as a freshman at UF -- 41 carries for 428 yards and 34 receptions for 427 yards.

Should Shep have gotten more receptions? Sure. But we promised him a shot a QB, so he's spending valuable time at practice practicing as a QB while Harvin didn't do that at Florida. Also, according to Rivals, Harvin was 6'1, 188 as a recruit, Shep was only 6'1, 179. Both had 4.4 forties.

Shep reminds me of 1993 Heisman Winner QB Charlie Ward of Bobby Bowden's FSU... and he didn't see the field until he was a junior