Russ Nenon will be asked to shoulder a heavy load at center this season on Wake Forest's green offensive line.
But first he has to sit out spring practices and let his shoulder heal.
"It's real boring," Nenon said this week. "I like running around hitting people."
What Nenon dislikes is to stand and watch others run around and hit people. He dislikes it so much that he played 12 games last year with an injury that would, and has, sidelined many a college-football player.
He first felt a sharp pain in his labrum during preseason drills in August. By the fourth game against Boston College, he knew for sure he was damaged goods.
"I either severely sprained it or tore it in camp," Nenon said. "And then after Boston College I for sure tore it."
To the obvious question, Nenon had an obvious answer.
"I can't sit on injured reserve for too long," Nenon said. "It would kill me."
The Deacons needed Nenon, perhaps their best offensive lineman last season, and Nenon, in turn, needed the care and expertise provided by football trainer Don Steelman and assistant Chris Ina. It's bad enough to be hurt. It's worse to be hurt and not know you're in good hands.
"Don and Chris did a really good job helping me out with rehab," Nenon said. "And I started wearing a harness after that game, starting with N.C. State. So that helped me out some.
"As far as range of motion, I lost a little bit. But I had four other good guys around me, helping me out. And (reserve center) Trey (Bailey) really helped me out."
Knowing that football is a collision sport, Coach Jim Grobe tries to be patient with those players sidelined by injuries. But it can be hard after watching Nenon play 12 games last year with a throbbing shoulder and watching Jeff Griffin, who was a senior last season, play three full seasons without a posterior-cruciate ligament he tore as a freshman.
Grobe played enough football at Ferrum Junior College and Virginia to know what Nenon and Griffith went through.
"He's a guy who can be one of the better centers in the conference," Grobe said of Nenon. "And I think it will be a lot more fun to coach him when he's not in pain all the time.
"That guy was a warrior last year. His shoulder was sore all year long, and he never missed a thing. He's a pretty special guy."
Nenon said he expects to be cleared to resume full workouts by early May, so he should be back when the team reassembles in August for preseason camp. He'll be needed, with only two starters, Nenon and Joe Looney, back from last year's offensive line.
Grobe said last week that Looney, who has started 18 games in his two seasons, has emerged as a team leader this spring.
The biggest problem area of the spring has been center, where two of Nenon's backups, Chance Raines and Whit Barnes, have also been sidelined, Raines with an injured knee and Barnes with a pulled hamstring. The only center left standing, Garrick Williams, was actually a tackle before this spring.
Michael Hoag, expected to start at right guard, limped off during last Saturday's scrimmage with an injured hamstring, further thinning the ranks in the offense line. The Deacons' depth would really be critical if Grobe and offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke hadn't moved two freshmen, Steven Chase and Devin Bolling, over to offense from the defensive line.
"We've got a ways to go," Nenon said. "Coach Lobo said we're going to take baby steps with our offense.
"We've got some young guys surprising us. Garrick Williams has really stepped up and is doing well. We've got Steven Chase and Devin Bolling learning on the fly. I see lots of good athletic ability, long arms, good feet.
"I think they're going to help us out a lot this fall."
dcollins@wsjournal.com
727-7323
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement