When Jerry Hughes arrived at TCU, he had visions of lining up in the offensive backfield.  He had rushed for 1,400 yards as a senior in high school, and while recruiting him, TCU coach Gary Patterson had promised to give him a look at running back. But when he got to his locker before his first practice as a freshman, he found a #98 jersey.  He accepted it, learned the position, and this fall was probably the top defensive end in college football.

While looking up the details of that story, I found this little gem: Of the 11 guys on the TCU roster at defensive line, 8 were running backs in high school.  Most arrived at TCU with hopes of being the next LaDanian, only to receive a number in the 90′s.  Gary Patterson has been wildly successful by doing this one thing: take the most talented athletes on the roster and put them in the defensive front seven.  Fill in the rest of the team with the remainder.  And go to BCS bowls.

Do I want the Zooker to do this?  No.  But what I do want the Zooker to do is…

#6: Move talented athletes to positions lacking depth

You all know what I’m about to say.  I need to make sure to type this slowly, because I always get too fired up.  I’ll just warn you: I might go capslock here.

When Cordale Scott arrived at Illinois, he had visions of lining up in at Wide Receiver.  He had caught 30 balls for 400 yards as a senior in high school, and Illinois coach Ron Zook had promised to give him a look at wideout. When he got to his locker before his first practice as a freshman, he found a #1 jersey.  He accepted it, learned the position, and this fall was probably the least successful wide receiver in college football with zero catches.

So WHY WAS HE NOT TRIED AT DEFENSIVE END??  That’s right – it’s time to quote my favorite recruiting article from 3 years ago…

He is an impressive athlete who “combines size and speed with the ability to make plays” according to Bucknuts.com’s Bill Kurelic. Bucknuts’ Duane Long thinks Scott will eventually be a defensive end and he compares him to NFL first-round draft pick Gaines Adams.

Our own Jerry Hughes, sitting over there on the bench wearing #1, not catching one single ball in his Illini career, and now he’s gone.  Unhappy.  Transferring to Toledo.

If I was in charge, the meeting in my office (after Cordale found a #98 jersey in his locker) would have gone like this:

“I’m gonna shoot you straight.  I watched you in the summer drills and went back and watched some of your high school tape, and here’s the thing: You’re not fluid enough to be a wide receiver.  You’re bulky frame and broad shoulders just won’t translate at this level.  You don’t have the hands to be a wide receiver.  But I will tell you this – you’re a fantastic athlete who could add 40 pounds to his frame and still be quick off the ball.  I’m going to transform you into a NFL Combine-attending defensive end.  I know you want to catch touchdowns, but it’s just not gonna happen.  Give me two years to put the weight on you, and I’ll unleash a freak at defensive end in 2010.”

You and I both know why this conversation never happened: In order to keep Cordale Scott away from Ohio State, Zook had to promise him catches.  And the Zooker felt that if we reneged on that promise, Scott might leave the program.

WELL GUESS WHAT? HE NEVER CAUGHT A SINGLE PASS, AND HE’S STILL LEAVING THE PROGRAM.

(Sorry – I’m going to go to the kitchen for a glass of water.  I need to relax.  Gimme 5…)

OK, I’m back.  It wasn’t water, but I feel better.

Cordale Scott is just one example.  Many have wanted to see what Martez could do coming off the corner as a Simeon Rice-ish LB/DE hybrid.  Yet the scheme is just as entrenched as Tez is at middle linebacker.  We have 7 outside linebackers on the roster and 2 tight ends.  Can Justin Staples catch?  How about Supo Sanni at outside linebacker?  Justin Green cornerback?  Greg Fuller middle linebacker?  Leon Hill defensive tackle?

I’m not saying make all of these moves.  Or even half of them.  I’m saying I want our staff to be more creative than “4th-string linebacker Anterio Jackson has been moved to offensive guard”.  Most all of our position moves over the past few years have been line-related (Xavier Fulton from DL to OT, Rahkeem Smith to DL, etc.)  We have the “he’s too bulky now – let’s move him to the line” thing down.  Now I want creativity.

I want a scheme that is set in stone, and then a roster shaped around that scheme.  I want roster audits at the end of every season, trying to find areas of depth and areas of weakness, and then moving a few pieces here and there to bring more balance. This is all to be done with purpose – “you are being asked to move because it will benefit our team, and team is our #1 goal”.  No more promises.  No more attempts to keep everyone happy.

Most of all, I don’t want to see another athlete like Cordale Scott sit on the bench for 2 years and then transfer.  We’re building a team here, and everyone needs to fulfill whatever role is chosen for them. (I’ll stop there – I’m getting too close to Point #15 – Role Players)

So there’s Point #6: Move players around.  Happiness is not the goal.  Winning is.