Reggie Spearman, Illinois State

[nu2u]

I never fully understood the reason for his departure. I heard homesickness. Does anyone have more background?

Spearman played early for Iowa as a true freshman IIRC even though he was still very young. Then he struggled as a starter but also showed very well in a couple of games. During his sophomore year I remember reading an article about how close Spearman and LB coach Jim Reid had become, similar to a father-son relationship. Because of that, I was surprised that he decided to transfer.

Anyway, read a post earlier this week from an Ill. State fan who claimed that Spearman had not cracked the starting line-up. Whether he plays against Iowa in a couple of weeks seems to be up in the air.

 

[JStandefer]

I think he turns 19 soon. He is still really young

 

[nu2u]

I think he turns 19 soon. He is still really young

I didn't realize he was that young. He is an upperclassman at age 18 - not many players (or student for that matter) who can claim that. We have RS freshman hoping to play their first college game almost a full year older and Spearman already has two completed seasons behind him.

 

[cidsports]

 

[MitchL]

He always looked lost when he was in the game and his speed wasn't good enough to compensate either. He should have never been on the field at that time, but that's on the Iowa staff. Likely he just wasn't ready physically or mentally.

But he is young, so writing him off is not wise or even fair.

 

[GarryO37]

I find it a little troubling that he saw the field at Iowa, but may not see the field at Illinois St.

 

[nu2u]

I find it a little troubling that he saw the field at Iowa, but may not see the field at Illinois St.

You probably got that impression from my original post but I'm not sure it's fair since that info was relayed to me by an ISU fan second hand. I can't find an 2015 ISU pre-season depth chart anywhere. If I had to guess, I suspect that Spearman will not start the opener but will play more than a few downs.

 

[ichawk24]

He turned 19 last week. He turned 17 during his first Iowa training camp, crazy young.

 

[CJBauer]

He turned 19 last week. He turned 17 during his first Iowa training camp, crazy young.

No he didn't...

He was 19 when he was arrested last October for OWI...

 

[clickhere 01]

No he didn't...

He was 19 when he was arrested last October for OWI...

Yeah,i think the Iowa athletic site has his birth date 8-17-96 when it should be 1995.

 

[JupiterHawk]

Not a shocker for me. First was the cryptic unhappy post on either Facebook or Instagram before the season I think. He was suspended last year for 2 games? Or maybe one for an OWI arrest.

 

[Hawkeye_311]

Should of been playing DE from the start.

 

[Rocket98]

Should of been playing DE from the start.

At 220 lbs?? OK then. He had a lb body and skill set. He just didn't have the instincts and knowledge to play there. He didn't read pass/run at all. You put the ball in the belly of a rb and he was all about selling for the run. Great lb's have a knack of knowing a split second after the snap by looking at pulling linemen, by looking at linemen's helmets that rise on pass. He got lost on stretch and zone read plays. Yes, he killed us out there last year.

 

[nu2u]

So ......... reading the responses..... Spearman decided to transfer out of Iowa because (a) he was unhappy and/or homesick (b) because he was unable to perform at a B10 level for his position (c) because he ended-up in trouble and/or the coach's doghouse or (d) some combination of all of the above.

I'll assume it was (d).

 

[yiana]

Probably the worst starting linebacker in the Ferentz era, outside of the first two years. Bower and Alston would also be in the running.

 

[Hawkirish]

Probably the worst starting linebacker in the Ferentz era, outside of the first two years. Bower and Alston would also be in the running.

Yes Alston was one of the worst LBs under Kirk - amazing the dumb big 10 coaches named him 2nd team all big 10. Really?

 

[yiana]

At mlb, I think so. He wasn't better than Morris, Angerer , Klink, Hodge, or Fred Barr. Who am I missing? 2010 was also brutal with the injuries. Shane Dibona was really bad.

 

[J_Heater]

So ......... reading the responses..... Spearman decided to transfer out of Iowa because (a) he was unhappy and/or homesick (b) because he was unable to perform at a B10 level for his position (c) because he ended-up in trouble and/or the coach's doghouse or (d) some combination of all of the above.

I'll assume it was (d).

Well that is correct except for he was playing the wrong position with the right body size.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

At mlb, I think so. He wasn't better than Morris, Angerer , Klink, Hodge, or Fred Barr. Who am I missing? 2010 was also brutal with the injuries. Shane Dibona was really bad.

I think I will take the Big Ten coaches assessment of Quinton Alston's skills, rather than rely on your expertise.

 

[Herkmeister]

QA was a class act and a real leader. That accounts for a lot. RESPECT DUDE.

 

[Hawkeye_311]

At 220 lbs?? OK then. He had a lb body and skill set. He just didn't have the instincts and knowledge to play there. He didn't read pass/run at all. You put the ball in the belly of a rb and he was all about selling for the run. Great lb's have a knack of knowing a split second after the snap by looking at pulling linemen, by looking at linemen's helmets that rise on pass. He got lost on stretch and zone read plays. Yes, he killed us out there last year.

I guess you are right, no one ever puts on weight in a college weight program. My bad.

 

[Rocket98]

So you move a 6'2" 218 lb freshman to DE without trying him at LB?? One of the reasons he left was that Iowa wanted to move him to DE.

 

[Steve Waite]

Because he sucked at LB. I will keep repeating myself. Our linebackers where the problem
from last years team. Bower replaced Spearman who sucked last year. Now Cole Fisher replaced Bower as a starter who obviously still sucks. If you need confirmation, go back and watch the Bowl game. The linebackers in that game where the worst I have ever seen in the Ferentz era.

It's too bad we couldn't have gotten Hilliard, he would have been a starter from day one.
Our defense this year will be as good as our linebackers. It's really that simple.
Hopefully, Cole will be better. We will see soon enough.

 

[WildTurk]

Steve.. This is not your team. "Our linebackers" . "Our defense". You think that they all just suck. Thanks for your contribution

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Being so young always thought a RS would have been good for spearman. Plus he only really played in the raider package as a freshman.

Side note I see David kenney who decomitted from Iowa for Indiana is on their roster. He was highly rated recruit yet not expected to start this yr for them.