If you look at this program over the last few years, say since whitehead’s soph season, it has been a next man up year after year philosophy. What I mean is Whitehead was the lead man and first team all big East his last year. After that you had Delgado step up, then it was Powell. This year it is Sandro stepping up to be that lead guy and star. Trying to not get ahead of myself here but next year it’s looking like it will be Rhoden to hopefully make that leap, and hopefully the year after that it will be Samuel.
Willard has done a great job of developing players to eventually become that go to lead star type. He may bring them along slowly like Sandro and Rhoden who both didn’t get a ton of playing time as a freshman, but he has shown that the development will come.
Now if a recruit looks at this seriously they will see they will have a serious chance if they work hard and listen to become a star in the league, but they may have to pay their dues their freshman year. This will also hurt recruiting because teams will negative recruit against Willard which I am sure is a big reason Willard has not reeled in the big fish regularly. The other teams will tell the recruits that Willard doesn’t like to rely heavily and play heavily freshman, knowing full well players want playing time and instant gratification, and don’t look at the bigger picture.
Willard has done a great job of developing players to eventually become that go to lead star type. He may bring them along slowly like Sandro and Rhoden who both didn’t get a ton of playing time as a freshman, but he has shown that the development will come.
Now if a recruit looks at this seriously they will see they will have a serious chance if they work hard and listen to become a star in the league, but they may have to pay their dues their freshman year. This will also hurt recruiting because teams will negative recruit against Willard which I am sure is a big reason Willard has not reeled in the big fish regularly. The other teams will tell the recruits that Willard doesn’t like to rely heavily and play heavily freshman, knowing full well players want playing time and instant gratification, and don’t look at the bigger picture.
