http://newsok.com/osu-football-j.w....uding-mentoring-mason-rudolph/article/5441589
Beyond that spotlight, J.W. Walsh remains as the quarterback who used to be all that. A former starter with a winning record, Walsh’s time as the next big thing was betrayed by repeated injuries.
So Walsh now stands as the backup... among other things.
And no small other things, rather critical things that keep him firmly attached to the pulse of the Cowboys, in the locker room and also, seemingly, on the field.
Remember when Walsh was lauded for his dual-threat skill set, an attribute that actually contributed to his demise? Now he’s multi-faceted, filling many roles:
* Proven backup and leader, as always.
* Part of a developing package to feature his talents, and get this, package consultant.
* And perhaps most importantly, mentor to Rudolph, a role he relishes regardless of what it means for his own career.
“I feel like I’ve gotten quite a bit of experience over the years,” said Walsh, “and I’ve got some knowledge that could help him in the future. And I want him to have that. I want him to succeed.”
And if you think Walsh’s claims might be disingenuous, the facts suggest otherwise.
Now 23-years old and a senior, Walsh could have recognized his final-year fate and transferred elsewhere into a starting spot. Instead, he remained a Cowboy, again set the tone for OSU’s summer with his pacesetter workouts and fully entrenched himself with the coaching staff, to the point that he’s in on designing the packages that will include and feature him.
And Walsh will be involved on the field.
“There aren’t really any secrets with him,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “He’s going to play. We’re going to use him. We have a spot for him.
“We’re very fortunate that we have him.”
Well, there may be some secrets, like where all might the Cowboys utilize Walsh?
“We now have some positions where he can go out there and make some plays,” said senior Jeremy Seaton.
Positions, plural?
And count Seaton among the many who appreciate all that Walsh contributes.
“It’s unbelievable, the character that guy has to be able, at 23-years old, to stay in the program when he knows that he could transfer to many other D-1s and start,” Seaton said. “But he’s a team guy. He believes that he can help this team. And I know that he can help this team.
“He’s a guy that he leads us, he sculpts us.”
Now Walsh is contributing to the sculpting of Rudolph, who was so good as a true freshman thrust into OSU’s final three games a year ago and now faces his first season as the clearly defined starter.
And it began late last season, even as it looked like Rudolph might be positioning himself into the No. 1 quarterback seat.
Beyond that spotlight, J.W. Walsh remains as the quarterback who used to be all that. A former starter with a winning record, Walsh’s time as the next big thing was betrayed by repeated injuries.
So Walsh now stands as the backup... among other things.
And no small other things, rather critical things that keep him firmly attached to the pulse of the Cowboys, in the locker room and also, seemingly, on the field.
Remember when Walsh was lauded for his dual-threat skill set, an attribute that actually contributed to his demise? Now he’s multi-faceted, filling many roles:
* Proven backup and leader, as always.
* Part of a developing package to feature his talents, and get this, package consultant.
* And perhaps most importantly, mentor to Rudolph, a role he relishes regardless of what it means for his own career.
“I feel like I’ve gotten quite a bit of experience over the years,” said Walsh, “and I’ve got some knowledge that could help him in the future. And I want him to have that. I want him to succeed.”
And if you think Walsh’s claims might be disingenuous, the facts suggest otherwise.
Now 23-years old and a senior, Walsh could have recognized his final-year fate and transferred elsewhere into a starting spot. Instead, he remained a Cowboy, again set the tone for OSU’s summer with his pacesetter workouts and fully entrenched himself with the coaching staff, to the point that he’s in on designing the packages that will include and feature him.
And Walsh will be involved on the field.
“There aren’t really any secrets with him,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “He’s going to play. We’re going to use him. We have a spot for him.
“We’re very fortunate that we have him.”
Well, there may be some secrets, like where all might the Cowboys utilize Walsh?
“We now have some positions where he can go out there and make some plays,” said senior Jeremy Seaton.
Positions, plural?
And count Seaton among the many who appreciate all that Walsh contributes.
“It’s unbelievable, the character that guy has to be able, at 23-years old, to stay in the program when he knows that he could transfer to many other D-1s and start,” Seaton said. “But he’s a team guy. He believes that he can help this team. And I know that he can help this team.
“He’s a guy that he leads us, he sculpts us.”
Now Walsh is contributing to the sculpting of Rudolph, who was so good as a true freshman thrust into OSU’s final three games a year ago and now faces his first season as the clearly defined starter.
And it began late last season, even as it looked like Rudolph might be positioning himself into the No. 1 quarterback seat.
