You be the judge
I’ve received a few e-mails questioning the context of an Albert Young quote I used in a blog post last week. In that post, I was outlining what Iowa’s depth chart at running back will look like if, in fact, sophomore-to-be Jevon Pugh, the frontrunner for the starting job, does not return next season, as has been reported. If Pugh leaves, Iowa will not return a scholarship running back.
There is the possibility that Shonn Greene, who played two seasons at Iowa before leaving the team and the university in June because of academics, could return. He has been taking classes at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids to try to get his grades in order. Greene declined interviews this fall and has not indicated whether he will return to Iowa. He rooms with Young, though, which is why Young was asked Nov. 6 to give an update on Greene’s plans. Young did not want to comment, saying only, “I don’t know. Shonn loves watching TV, man. He’s alright. He’s alright. I don’t know. I don’t want to say anything.” If you want to listen to the question and answer, click twice on the play button above and decide for yourself what you think Young meant.
I took it to mean that Greene has not fully committed to getting his coursework in order and staying in football shape. That might be jumping to conclusions, but Young could have said something like, “Yes. Shonn is working hard to get back into school and back onto this team.” He didn’t. He said Greene loves to watch TV. And, yes, we all love to watch TV, but to me that says Greene has higher priorities than getting back in an Iowa uniform.
There has been no official word on Pugh’s departure. A source told me last week that the Naples, Fla., native was headed home — the same source that told me Cedric Everson and Abe Satterfield were leaving the program, which became official Monday — and multiple recruits have said the coaching staff has told them the same. Iowa has received verbal commitments from two running backs — Nate Guillory, a top-rated junior college player, and Jewel Hampton, a high school senior from Indianapolis. At least two other backs have visited Iowa and have scholarship offers on the table.
Getting Greene back would be a huge boost. While he’s not been a featured runner, he is a proven commodity, having gained 378 yards and scored two touchdowns in his two seasons. He’s a big, bruising runner, and he could carry the load in 2008 behind what is expected to be an improved offensive line.
Or … he could be at home watching on TV. We know he likes that. We likely won’t know until June whether or not he’s coming back.
Contact Eric Page at epage@qctimes.com.
