Agreed, don't understand why we took a prospect to play special teams
Not every player we take will turn into a starter. It's a number's game. If we're taking 20 kids a class on average, on a team with 80+ players, there are only 22 players that will garner the game action as a starter. Sure, some positions rotate players throughout the game, but even then, still quite a bit of scholarship players won't be playing
Fertitta may or may not develop into a starter... However, he will have a role on this team and will be expected to represent this university with a manner of excellence; whatever that may be. If he only plays special teams for four (or five) years, then we got a player who busted his ass on special teams. Perhaps he blocks a few punts or is a great gunner and can get down field quickly and make a sure tackle. Whatever the case, he will be helping this football team.
Now, personally, I don't know what kind of player Nicco will be. But, I'll tell you this, we've had players on this team who either were low ranked three stars and even walk-ons who have helped this team immensely. Common example, Joe Schmidt. He didn't do much in his first two seasons [one year of preserving eligibility, one more exclusively on special teams], but look at last season, he played some meaningful minutes in some pretty good games and probably made the game saving pass breakup against USC
Other examples, Matthias Farley. He was more lower ranked than two other DBs in his class, Jalen Brown and Josh Atkinson, but he too, has seen a lot of action for this team playing in many big games. And I know he's 2013 season was pretty abysmal in terms of tackling, but look at 2012, Jamoris Slaughter goes down Week 3 against Michigan State, and is lost for the season. "Redshirt" freshman converted wide-receiver Matthias Farley steps in a plays some decent football.
Point I'm making is don't underestimate some of these players. Nicco may turn into THEE SHIT and become a great safety and future NFL draft pick or he may just be shit... Whatever he becomes, he'll have a role on this team.