Reports: Texas WR Marquise Goodwin To Redshirt, Focus On Track in 2011
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jul 1, 2011 3:42 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintOn Friday afternoon, multiple media outlets broke the news on Twitter -- citing sources close to the Texas football program -- that junior wide receiver Marquise Goodwin will redshirt during the 2011 season to focus on track and field and compete in the IAAF World Championship. Presumably Goodwin will also spend the time preparing for a shot at competing in the 2012 Olympics.
The move is not entirely unexpected, as speculation has swirled ever since Goodwin enrolled at Texas that he might miss a football season to prepare for the Olympics and/or compete in the world championships. With his personal best long jump of 27 feet, 4 inches last week, Goodwin qualified for the world track championships in Korea, which would have caused him to miss the opening game of the season against Rice and practice time in the fall as well. In the end, faced with an either/or choice, Goodwin looks like he will choose to compete for his country.
Coming of a disappointing sophomore season that saw him only marginally improve on a promising freshman campaign, the loss of practice time has likely slowed Goodwin's development, as he has not participated in either spring practice since he has been on campus due to track obligations. The poor quarterback play last season no doubt hurt as well, along with Greg Davis often miscasting him as an outside receiver, where his lack of size made it difficult for him to make plays against taller cornerbacks who could use the sideline to their advantage.
For the Longhorns, the expected ascension of sophomore MIke Davis to the role of playmaking receiver and positive reports surrounding highly-polished incoming freshman Jaxon Shipley will help minimize the negative impact caused by the prospective loss of Goodwin for the 2011 season. Additionally, Goodwin's absence will open up more opportunities for another small receiver with big-play potential -- junior DeSean Hales, who has struggled to break into the rotation during his first three years on campus.
In other words, there are plenty of options for Texas at the receiver position to replace Goodwin and the success of the passing game will likely hinge more on quarterback play than on the performances of specific receivers.
In the end, though, this story is about a young man who has a chance to compete for his country at the highest level and it's safe to say that the burnt orange faithful should and will support him in those endeavors. Best of luck, Marquise.
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As you say
Not unexpected. I see it as a win-win.
If Marquise can get into the Olympics, he’s “the University of Texas wide receiver who will return to football this fall.” Good advertising.
Additionally, the extra year will give him time to be a football-only athlete for a season or two, and that could mean a killer weapon come 2013.
Good for him
Football will still be there
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
Greg Davis
moved the receivers around between the three positions, so it does open up the rotation a bit for White. Keep in mind though that with Harsin preferring to run sets with an H-back and tight end, that there will often be one fewer receiver on the field this season, which further tightens up the rotation. At the same time, Harsin has a reputation for spreading reps around if players are performing in practice, so it’s kind of back and forth on what will happen.
In the spring, it looked like John Harris was giving White some serious competition at the X position and if Malcolm Williams plays more H-back this season and inside receiver, then Harris and White can probably both see some significant playing time in whatever 11 personnel groupings Harsin uses.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jul 1, 2011 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Great decision-Bravo Marquise!!
I support him 100% and wish him the best of luck in his pursuit to win a (or more) gold medal(s) for our country. It will be exciting to watch him compete at the very top level.
We will be here with open arms if you want to come back and play some more football.
Don't be such a baby.
Curious
Not sure if this can happen, but can he count towards one of the track scholarships thereby opening up a footbal scholly?
Not sure how that works.
I know that as soon as he stepped on the football field, he counted against both. If he redshirts, I don’t know what the rule is. Texas is one over for the fall, so it’s possible that this decision could put the team at even. If the ‘Horns do end up under, a senior walk-on will get he schollie, so it doesn’t really affect long-term plans, especially with Goodwin expected back in 2012.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jul 1, 2011 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Good for him
Not to be too much of a downer, but we might not see him on the field again. He has the ability to have a productive career with professional track, and I dont see the same possibility for a pro football career. Wouldn’t surprise me if he opted not to play again to protect his body. Could be totally wrong on this, and I hope I am.
by jmptexas on Jul 1, 2011 5:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Very possible and perhaps more likely than not
And if so, great for him. If he can make it as a world class track and field athlete we should all be proud to have a Longhorn as the country’s and perhaps world’s best. I will definitely still follow his career in T&F if he is world class. That is pretty cool.
Don't be such a baby.
This is indeed a wonderful thing for Marquise and Longhorns fans
He could probably end up being better at long-jumping than any recent Longhorn has been at playing football, and it only makes sense that he take time to concentrate on the area where he can be truly great.
How can you govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese? --Charles De Gaulle
by burntorangehorn on Jul 1, 2011 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Decisions, Decisions
What a talent. How many people have to deal with the conflict of representing your country in track or playing WR at the best University in the country? Hook the World Marquisse!
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
While me might miss him on the football field
We should all be proud of Marquise for his accomplishments on the track. That is very likely his best option for future glory, and money, for that matter.
Good luck at the Worlds and the Olympics, Marquise. We’ll be cheering for you all the way.
.
by Longhorn in Canada on Jul 1, 2011 11:23 PM CDT reply actions
or fear
he could come back after this year and he’s very fast and he might get even quicker.
formerly "Horns102591"
Goodwin has never had problems with his hands.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jul 3, 2011 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions
All your WRs had issues with their hands last year
by miketag on Jul 3, 2011 5:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
that may be so
but your defense still let Cody Johnson get over 100 yards rushing and our run game sucked last year. we all have our problems
formerly "Horns102591"
Our run defense was solid last year
Johnson just had a good game. Glad you only measure yourself against us.
No.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jul 3, 2011 10:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I believe the problem stemmed more from
The o-line not blocking well enough to allow for the throws to be on time/to the right wr/not tipped. The receivers didn’t have a problem catching the ball. Except for Malcolm Williams when it was an easy catch. He only liked to cath the hard ones.
Sally, will you meet me at the airport?
by TxHorns247 on Jul 4, 2011 12:06 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
agree
like I have said previously, everything that could go wrong last year for you did. the line would let guys get through for the sack, or the passes would be off, or they would be on target and the WRs would drop them. Still think Goodwin will be a little rusty after a year off. We will see if he ever makes it back.
I doubt he's going to just take the entire year off from football skills
Sure, he’s going to concentrate like mad on his event, but I would be shocked if the guy were to go a week without a football in his hands. Field-event guys are possibly the most drill-minded athletes on the planet.
How can you govern a country that has 246 varieties of cheese? --Charles De Gaulle
by burntorangehorn on Jul 5, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I have conflicting emotions
Hate to lose him for the season, yet it opens up a slot for one of our heralded recruits.
"you can't be a great defense in a casual manner!" Manny Diaz
im proud of him
sure im sad he wont be here this season but damn couldnt ask a guy to pass up this chance. proud to have him out there representing the University of Texas.
Hook’em Marquise!!!!!
formerly "Horns102591"
Micro vs. Macro
Sometimes, you have to account for what you may gain, even when you lose. Micro-vision on Texas football: I want “all hands on deck” mentality in preparing for a season…especially after that 5-7 road-bump. Having Marquise Goodwin and his speed in the huddle this year would stir my heart. Macro-vision: The University of Texas gains the notoriety of being the home to a world-class recognized athlete and potential olympian. Goodwin is also a world-class guy as much as a world-class athlete…the perfect representative for UT and the USA. In my struggle in wanting to right the wrong that was 2010, I have to consider what the big picture presents in Marquise opting out for this season…a potential deep threat on the 2011 football team, or a terrific opportunity for a terrific young man to represent to the rest of the world what type of student hitches his wagon to The University of Texas. I think I have my answer. We’ll leave the light on for ya Marquise.
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