Getting recruited to play college football is a dream for many, but just being recruited doesn’t mean a player will see the field, or stay at the same position he was recruited to play. In order to get playing time, a player has to make an impact on the practice field, and sometimes even adapt to a different position.
Position changes are common on a college football team. Idaho coach Robb Akey said it all comes down to what fits a player best.
“Sometimes we recruit guys that are athletic enough that they might play different positions for us,” Akey said. “… Sometimes that change takes place because it maybe fits them better. Sometimes it’s because of a need that we may have as a football team.”
Two Idaho players Henry Asuega and Justin Podrabsky play positions they didn’t know before coming to Moscow. Asuega was recruited out of Corona, Calif., as a defensive lineman, but moved to fullback last spring. Asuega said he likes the change.
“It’s been up and down, but for the most part everything’s been positive,” Asuega said. “… I love the position. I could always go back to D-line if I wanted to, but for now it’s fullback. I feel better at that.”
Podrabsky was recruited out of Lewiston as a quarterback, but has since made the switch to tight end. Podrabsky said he made the decision to change because he thought it would yield more playing time.
“I just didn’t feel like I was going to get much playing time at quarterback, so I made the switch to tight end,” Podrabsky said. “I just wanted to help the team out somehow.”
Getting more time on the field is the main reason players switch positions and it’s something Akey knows all about. Akey played college ball at Weber State and was originally recruited to play tight end. Akey said there was a great tight end ahead of him, so he made a switch to defense in order to see the field sooner.
“It was going to be another year before full-time playing time, whereas a move over to defense had a chance to fight for a starting job right away and I wanted to get my butt out on the field,” Akey said.
While a switch is often the best thing for a player, he still has to learn all the elements of the new sport, which takes time.
It’s a big adjustment,” Podrabsky said. “At first it was pretty slow, but I feel like I’m progressing right now. I’ve had to learn blocking and it’s the first time really getting big time contact, so I’m just trying to adjust to it.”
The adjustment can be difficult, but a player who changes positions has a unique perspective. A defensive player that moves to offense will have a unique knowledge of the defense and likewise for an offensive player moving to defense.
Both Asuega and Podrabsky said experience from their former positions make them better at their new ones.
“My translation from that to offense just helped me a lot,” Asuega said. “Just knowing that I know what the linebackers are going to do. I know what the D-line is going to do because I played it before.”
The decision to make a switch isn’t easy. Players may have played the same position since junior high, so the thought of playing somewhere else can be tough to swallow. Akey said he’ll never push a player into making a change he doesn’t want to make, but said most players will change if it means helping the team.
We’ve got to make that decision together,” Akey said. “The player has to play what he wants to play. He’s going to be a better player if he’s doing what he’s happy about. Generally if it means they get to see the field sooner, they’re going to be excited about it.”
Podrabsky and Asuega said they weren’t disappointed because the switch meant more playing time. In the end they said it’s all about getting to play.
“They’re different, but in the long run I’m here to play football and that’s what I’m doing, playing football,” Podrabsky said. “… It doesn’t matter how, I doesn’t matter where, I just want to get out there.”
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]