'10 UT S Chris Badger (BYU Transfer)

[NDinMich]

Thing that sticks out to me (other than the big hits), is what a good form tackler he is!

 

[NDIrishlover3]

He reminds me of tom zibikowski. Maybe it is just his build but when I see him I think of Tom. Also I love the nastiness that he plays with. It just seems like he is always trying to rip the others players head off

 

[BGIF]

I just wanted to spark a little fire in yalls belly about a DB we have coming in. Correct me if wrong but he will be considered 2012 class? Start counting him in as a big get for DB/S this years pull of recruits folks.
...

He shouldn't be counted in the Class of 2012 as he was already recruited AND signed in a previous class. He will count against the 85 team limit when he re-enrolls just as Julius Jones was off the roster for a year when he left school and then was counted once again against the 85 when he re-enrolled. Unlike Jones, Badger's year out of school will not count against the NCAA 5 year window to play 4 years. The NCAA freezes the clock on that 5 year period during missions.

And yes as someone mentioned Badger will be a more mature person than an 18 year old recruit. I'll venture he was probably more mature than most in his own class as well.

Before penciling Badger into the 2012 Depth Chart keep in mind that while on a mission he is committed to serving that mission 24/7. During his senior year he was working with a speed coach to trim his speed (he hits like Zibby but doesn't run like him). His physical training is not going to consist of daily 4 hour workouts in the gym in a supervised workout. I don't know if he's even permitted a hour run in daily mission routine. Regardless of what workout he's allowed and can fit in his schedule he won't be able to beef up like Julius Jones during his hiatus. Nor will be be able to watch film and study a playbook.

Badger will have a lot of work to do when he arrives back on campus to get back into academic life, to regain the Div 1 physical conditioning he had attained when he left for his mission, and to learn a new system. When commenting on Badger's performance in the next Spring Game we need to keep in mind he's been out of training for a year and will be a work in progress.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I am pro-Badger, but I have to tell you you:

(he hits like Zibby but doesn't run like him).

is no exageration, or understatement. I have doubted since his class signed that he had the speed to play D1 db. Linebacker, maybe, but with Spond, Shembo, Moore, Teo, Fox, Williams, Filer, Fleming, Rasaba, Councel, etc., I think he would be the last one finished with his sprint . . .

 

[johnnykillz]

A 4.6 forty is nothing to gripe about. The right place at the right time means everything in secondary as a safety. Especially when you turn the lights out for receivers.

I can't wait to have Badger back. Does no one recall this kid's work ethic?

 

[Ironman8]

A 4.6 forty is nothing to gripe about. The right place at the right time means everything in secondary as a safety. Especially when you turn the lights out for receivers.

I can't wait to have Badger back. Does no one recall this kid's work ethic?

I agree with you my man. Give me work effort, attitude and desire with good skills over great skills and none of the above all day and twice on Sundays.

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

They have to walk or bike on their missions, so perhaps he is running sprints between houses to improve his speed.

On a related topic, could you imagine if Diaco became an Elder and took a mission? The whole world would be Mormon. (yeah, still going there :smilewink)

 

[jmurphy75]

I've said it before and I'll say it again there are some things that you just can't teach in football attitude, work ethic, toughness and presence on the field. Badger I believe has them all, most other things can be tought.

 

[tadman95]

They have to walk or bike on their missions, so perhaps he is running sprints between houses to improve his speed.

On a related topic, could you imagine if Diaco became an Elder and took a mission? The whole world would be Mormon. (yeah, still going there :smilewink)

Excellent technique! Subtle but impactful!

 

[Bogtrotter07]

A 4.6 forty is nothing to gripe about. The right place at the right time means everything in secondary as a safety. Especially when you turn the lights out for receivers.

I can't wait to have Badger back. Does no one recall this kid's work ethic?

I agree with everything you say, especially about the nature of the kid; but Torian Smith was a 5.03 forty, and Kerry Neal and Brian Smith were simillarly challenged at Dog. Our defensive secondary has had more than a few that have missed a half-a-step, in recent years. At that speed, how you move laterally, and your burst are everything. I am just saying, we will see.

 

[Old Man Mike]

BGIF is spot-on. Johnny, however, is also spot-on. Put those together and you have a mature young man with tremendous work ethic who needs some re-conditioning for the college game, but who will get there faster than almost anyone. I believe that he'll be a force by the end of his spring and certainly by the end of summer of 2012. His speed looks just fine to me, and added to what seem to be fabulous anticipation instincts make an "early arriving slobberknocker" in my view. The staff was praising Chris' readiness even before he left.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

They have to walk or bike on their missions, so perhaps he is running sprints between houses to improve his speed.

On a related topic, could you imagine if Diaco became an Elder and took a mission? The whole world would be Mormon. (yeah, still going there :smilewink)

Mormons (sorry...Latter Day "Saints") drive nice new cars. You might be thinking about Jehovah Witnesses on bi-cycles.. Or The 'People's Front of Judea' or their 'rivals' The 'Judean People's Front' (splitters!), the 'Judean Popular People's Front', the 'Campaign for a Free Galilee,' and the 'Popular Front of Judea'.

Oh wait, they rode donkeys back then.

True story: An apartment 20 yards away revolves young Latter Day Saint men on mission. All of them COMPLETELY have avoided me and looked away as I limped by. Yesterday, the two youngest members knocked on my door as I was about to head out to take care of bidness. We set an "appointment" for noonish today. Seemed like great, sincere young men. I will listen to them.

It may be a coincidence, but 3 out of 3 main Latter Day Saints I have met in natural life outside of "mission" have caused damage to my life. Mods. Delete this if you must.. I will report back after our meeting at noon. I truly expect great things to happen after our meeting. These new kids seem sincere. The previous 10 seemed hypocritical. I think word got out that I am the only ND fan in a 10 mile radius, and possibly the only one not involved with meth and dope, and they see hope. That rhymed.

But they did drive off in a brand new Chevy full size luxury car. I think they are trying to get a series going with ND. I think they think I am the ND athletic director. I am so sexy.

 

[D-BOE34]

BOOM! Built that bridge wit butta!

 

[Irish2015]

is anyone else worried about the fact that the kid hasn't played football in 2 years and it may take him a year or two to get into football shape again?

 

[johnnykillz]

Of course.

That's why we rely on the fact he's the type of kid with work ethic.

He committed to us. With his work ethic, he knows what that means: His focus will not have allowed him to slip away to nothing.

Faith.

 

[NDIrishlover3]

A 4.6 forty is nothing to gripe about. The right place at the right time means everything in secondary as a safety. Especially when you turn the lights out for receivers.

I can't wait to have Badger back. Does no one recall this kid's work ethic?

Also the ability to take good angles to the ball and make sharp cuts can mean a lot more than a forty time when you play safety

 

[NCDomer]

He shouldn't be counted in the Class of 2012 as he was already recruited AND signed in a previous class. He will count against the 85 team limit when he re-enrolls just as Julius Jones was off the roster for a year when he left school and then was counted once again against the 85 when he re-enrolled. Unlike Jones, Badger's year out of school will not count against the NCAA 5 year window to play 4 years. The NCAA freezes the clock on that 5 year period during missions.

And yes as someone mentioned Badger will be a more mature person than an 18 year old recruit. I'll venture he was probably more mature than most in his own class as well.

Before penciling Badger into the 2012 Depth Chart keep in mind that while on a mission he is committed to serving that mission 24/7. During his senior year he was working with a speed coach to trim his speed (he hits like Zibby but doesn't run like him). His physical training is not going to consist of daily 4 hour workouts in the gym in a supervised workout. I don't know if he's even permitted a hour run in daily mission routine. Regardless of what workout he's allowed and can fit in his schedule he won't be able to beef up like Julius Jones during his hiatus. Nor will be be able to watch film and study a playbook.

Badger will have a lot of work to do when he arrives back on campus to get back into academic life, to regain the Div 1 physical conditioning he had attained when he left for his mission, and to learn a new system. When commenting on Badger's performance in the next Spring Game we need to keep in mind he's been out of training for a year and will be a work in progress.

You don't need hours or even an hour in the gym to stay fit and make gains. 30 minutes a day will keep him fit and muscular. Maintaining endurance and skill is another thing, though your endurance shouldn't suffer much if you're busting your butt that full 30 minutes.

 

[NDinL.A.]

You don't need hours or even an hour in the gym to stay fit and make gains. 30 minutes a day will keep him fit and muscular. Maintaining endurance and skill is another thing, though your endurance shouldn't suffer much if you're busting your butt that full 30 minutes.

Yeah, but we're not talking about the fitness level of someone like you and I...we're talking about the fitness, strength, stamina etc of an elite college athlete needing to play at an elite level. 30 minutes a day won't cut it...or else the Paul Longo's of the world would be out of jobs.

Reminds me of the Baltimore running back who went to jail a few years back, Jamal Lewis. Everyone thought when he got out of jail he'd be able to bounce back right away b/c of the year off he had in jail resting his body as well as getting in great shape while locked up. Except this one reader of Bill Simmons who explained how the food in jail is so sh!tty and the workouts not nearly as intense as a pro football player needs, that it would take a full year for Lewis to get his body right. And that man was absolutely correct.

Of course, Badger isn't eating jail food, but I'm just saying, 2 years away from a true strength and conditioning program will take its toll on Chris and we'll have to be patient to allow him to get back into the swing of things. From everything we've read though, he is a worker and I have no doubts he'll put himself in the best position to see the field as possible...

 

[IrishLax]

Yeah, but we're not talking about the fitness level of someone like you and I...we're talking about the fitness, strength, stamina etc of an elite college athlete needing to play at an elite level. 30 minutes a day won't cut it...or else the Paul Longo's of the world would be out of jobs.

Reminds me of the Baltimore running back who went to jail a few years back, Jamal Lewis. Everyone thought when he got out of jail he'd be able to bounce back right away b/c of the year off he had in jail resting his body as well as getting in great shape while locked up. Except this one reader of Bill Simmons who explained how the food in jail is so sh!tty and the workouts not nearly as intense as a pro football player needs, that it would take a full year for Lewis to get his body right. And that man was absolutely correct.

Of course, Badger isn't eating jail food, but I'm just saying, 2 years away from a true strength and conditioning program will take its toll on Chris and we'll have to be patient to allow him to get back into the swing of things. From everything we've read though, he is a worker and I have no doubts he'll put himself in the best position to see the field as possible...

Don't know man... got a couple friends at BYU and they say it's all dependent on where you go for your mission. One of my friends ended up in Denver... if you're a football player you could do two full years of hardcore training there if you wanted no problem. My other friends got Ukraine and Norway. From what was described about his time in Ukraine (which included their ward getting robbed with him getting held up at gun point) it sounds like it'd be impossible to train effectively.

Mormons really focus on God and doing their work while serving their mission so training definitely is put on the back burner. But most people around the BYU program view missions as a plus because kids enroll for their freshman year (and often redshirt) then take two years off and can bulk up/train depending on location. By the time they come back into the program as "freshman" they've had 3 years of conditioning.

However, with Chris being in Ecuador, you're probably spot on and he has made no gains. But I'd also be surprised if he has "regressed" from HS shape much or at all. Because they really cut off entertainment and contact with the outside world there is not much to focus on in the off hours besides God and getting in shape.

 

[D-BOE34]

First ... Is it true he will be back spring of 2012? If so we will get a real grasp of where he stands "athletically" ... (This I am not sure of and is very important)

To me, the way he played in high school, was complete instinct. He was able to move, cut, react and smash the person on the ball. Will he need some time to redevelop? YES! If he has spring to build on what he has naturally, I AM STOKED!

Do I think that after taking 2 years away from the game will hurt him? YES

He will bring his natural ability and full HEART into spring (if so) and make himself as good as he can be.

BTW ... Even if we don't see him till 2013, he will be mentally and physically more mature than any other redshirt. We all hold our say on incoming freshman because most, if not damn near all the time, need a year to develop. He will just add to the depth of our DB and become, I hope, a monster to match TEE and DARBY.

By no means do I say expect him to jump right in and be a playmaker/contributer. He will however bring another dynamic to the DB/S backfield that is much needed.

WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE TOP FOLKS! IF WE START TO FAIL NOW I AM CONVINCED WE WILL FAIL FOR A LONG LONG TIME!

...............BK is making me optimistic on the otherwise..............

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Have any of you been to one of these third world countries? Um, guys – I have been following this thread, and the distinction I need to make finally dawns on me: The hope-filled cultish orthodoxy of the personality, gets in the way of the truth. I am susceptible to it. Lord knows I am guilty of it. Many mistake it for green Kool-aid. It is not just.

Have any of you been to a country like Ecuador? I bet 75 % of all people don’t even know what ocean it’s on, (if any.) If he is in a remote area, good luck! There are huge differences in climate there, but in remote areas, water needs to be brought in by truck. The people there are lucky enough to have a reasonable public health system, and developed resistance to the local bugs. But for us, with our first world intestines, good luck! Years ago when we went into places like this, after a few weeks, they would be treating us with all kinds of stuff, and I would still have still lost 20-25 lbs. And at that time, I didn’t really have the extra to loose.

My point is I acknowledge Chris for his mission and dedication, but in the meantime, we are bringing in some elite athletes, with much higher measurables than we have seen in recent years. Case in point, we have a kid named McCarthy who was first-team All-Ohio, Gator-aid player of the year, and just missed Mr. Football, and he has been eclipsed by a wealth of young talent like Austin Collinsworth, etc. What’s going to happen when Brown, Farley, etc., get on campus? And then Baratti, and his class?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Badger's a different dude. His personal statements and those of his coach about never allowing anyone to be better prepared [mentally OR physically] than he is, indicate a personal trait which will get him back on the field quickly and with authority. This guy is all focus, probably even more so once the mission has further steeled him. He was elite before and he will be elite soon thereafter. We will be loaded with talent at Safety so even that eases his "stress" [which I'll bet will be nothing to him] about having to step in before every last thing is perfect.

 

[BGIF]

Correction

Correction

Two day ago I posted about his missing two years of training and development and noted we should have patience with him when he plays in the 2012 Blue & Gold Game. He won't be there. He'll still be in Ecuador.

His two year mission started in September 2010 which raises a question of whether he'll be back in time for preseason camp. IF he isn't the NCAA will not allow him to play in a game until he goes through the NCAA mandated preseason conditioning. IF he arrives late he can still make up the conditioning but might miss a few games. If he's back when preseason camp starts he'll be ready per the NCAA to play. In any case he won't have 6 months of Longo and a training table to get back into Div 1 playing shape.

As for where he is in Ecuador, The Mormon Times in July 2010 reported he would be in Guayaquil.

Badger leaving Notre Dame to serve mission | Mormon Times

Guayaquil isn't a third world locale. It's a thriving port city with a metro population of over 3 million people (about 20% of the nation's population). Lots of seafood and ethic cuisine so his 195 pounds shouldn't suffer much (one way or the other). There's even a Mormon Temple in the city. So his living conditions shouldn't be rugged unless they reassign him over the Andes to Ecuador's Amazon Basin.

Chris was born in Nov 1991 so he'll be just shy of 21 when the 2012 season starts. He'll be one of the "old men" as a second semester freshman.

 

[BCSorBust]

I lived, did work and research in Peru and Kenya for a while - still am in Kenya from the US actually. The bugs that cause GI symptoms are self-limiting illnesses that resolve within a week unless you take cipro which he'll certainly have and then it's 2-3 days. You may lose weight but you won't get the same bug twice and there is plenty of time to gain it back if you aren't jumping from place to place. I got sick a couple of times (got malaria once too which was MISERABLE) but if you stay in one place you develop resistance quickly. Even if he gets something serious, the things people are suffering from in places like he's going to be are treatable, the problem is the lack or treatment/access for the normal folk. He'll have health care which means he'll be fine - he also got his vaccines and hopefully is taking malaria prophylaxis (both of which I'm assuming). There will be plenty of food for him. I actually was never in better shape than when I was overseas because A) you walk everywhere, 2) there isn't as much of the english speaking tv programs and sports, video games, fast food, etc to distract you, 3) the local food is healthier than our food - pretty much can say that about any place in the entire world, D) the things to do to pass the time are work (aka his mission), read, and work out, that's really it. He'll obviously not be in football shape when he comes back but he'll be fine.

Actually reading what people wrote now I realize I agree more with the people who think he won't be ready than with the people who think he'll come back in amazing shape. He'll probably have great cardio when he comes back. Especially if he is at elevation like some parts of Ecuador (I think BGIF mentioned he's on the coast though). Probably won't be camp Longo shape. I was wondering about what BGIF said about when he was coming back too because I thought that he hadn't left until later in the year. We may seem him in 2012 but most likely won't see him until 2013. It's going to be a whole new team by then too. It's kinda crazy to think about and impossible to predict who will be the leaders of our team at that point when he comes back.

Sorry for the stream of consciousness.

 

[choo choo]

Have any of you been to one of these third world countries? Um, guys – I have been following this thread, and the distinction I need to make finally dawns on me: The hope-filled cultish orthodoxy of the personality, gets in the way of the truth. I am susceptible to it. Lord knows I am guilty of it. Many mistake it for green Kool-aid. It is not just.

Have any of you been to a country like Ecuador? I bet 75 % of all people don’t even know what ocean it’s on, (if any.) If he is in a remote area, good luck! There are huge differences in climate there, but in remote areas, water needs to be brought in by truck. The people there are lucky enough to have a reasonable public health system, and developed resistance to the local bugs. But for us, with our first world intestines, good luck! Years ago when we went into places like this, after a few weeks, they would be treating us with all kinds of stuff, and I would still have still lost 20-25 lbs. And at that time, I didn’t really have the extra to loose.

My point is I acknowledge Chris for his mission and dedication, but in the meantime, we are bringing in some elite athletes, with much higher measurables than we have seen in recent years. Case in point, we have a kid named McCarthy who was first-team All-Ohio, Gator-aid player of the year, and just missed Mr. Football, and he has been eclipsed by a wealth of young talent like Austin Collinsworth, etc. What’s going to happen when Brown, Farley, etc., get on campus? And then Baratti, and his class?

very interesting post

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

very interesting post

 

[SLCIRISH]

Safety and linemen are the positons that usually, return missionaries, excel at, the maturity cannot be undestated.

He should be in great shape seeing how he most likely is mountain biking all over his "territory".

I would wager he most likely beefs up, becomes a special teams player , a career back up, or moves to line backer.

 

[BGIF]

Special Teams is where he can make an impact early. He's going to have to work his way through the depth chart at Safety with little time to accomplish that.

As for bulking up to play LB, he'd have to add 50 pounds. ND LBs now run around 240 - 245. He probably has better instinct for pass coverage than Calabrese but keep in mind Badger's HS video that impresses was when he was 175. He's not going to look that way with an additional 70 of beef on those hooves.

And there's probably more competition for PT at LB than at S.

 

[SLCIRISH]

Special Teams is where he can make an impact early. He's going to have to work his way through the depth chart at Safety with little time to accomplish that.

As for bulking up to play LB, he'd have to add 50 pounds. ND LBs now run around 240 - 245. He probably has better instinct for pass coverage than Calabrese but keep in mind Badger's HS video that impresses was when he was 175. He's not going to look that way with an additional 70 of beef on those hooves.

And there's probably more competition for PT at LB than at S.

Great points, I bet he comes back around 200 pounds, or soon hits that mark upon his return. I dont think he has the speed to compete with what we are currently recruiting at safety, i think he could beef up, look up and down BYU and Utahs roster and you will see return missionaries bulked up and moved to different positons, but I think he will be a great player, he can hit, I seen him in person on numerous occasions, I dont think he will lose any speed with more weight.(but youre right not 70 pounds)

 

[JDAtlanta]

This is one kid I am excited to see Luongo work with. I hope he is back in time for the upcoming season. I think he will be an outstanding special teams player. I had not thought of bulking him up to play LB, but that seems possible.