Rowland: Lessons from the emergence of Mason Wolfe and Logan Stenberg
Mason Wolfe wasn't an especially heralded recruit. He was respected and considered Power Five caliber, but he wasn't a class headliner.
Neither was fellow offensive lineman Logan Stenberg.
But Stenberg emerged last season and will be key starter in 2017. And now Wolfe is making his own emergence. There are lessons to be learned in both cases, and the lessons are largely the same.
Wolfe was part of Kentucky's 2015 recruiting class. He redshirted his first year in the program and didn't crack the two-deep last year, even as the Cats were looking for tackle depth early in the season.
But now, going into his redshirt sophomore year, Wolfe is second string guard and earning some recognition.
After Tuesday's practice offensive coordinator Eddie Gran was asked about young offensive linemen who have stepped up during camp. He pointed to Wolfe.
“We moved him from tackle, we moved him to guard,” Gran told reporters in Lexington on Tuesday, including CatsIllustrated.com's Derek Terry. “I think guard is a really good spot for him. And he’s played our fourth-team center, so we’ve been able to put him there and let him go in there and get some reps. I guess that’s one from last year that’s popped out. The extra reps in bowl practice, he’s getting on with it.”
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Those comments were echoed by UK director of football recruiting operations Dan Berezowitz in his conversation with CatsIllustrated.com this week.
The context: A discussion of the significance of reaching the TaxSlayer Bowl. Berezowitz said the extra practice time helped Wolfe. Then, he said, Wolfe arrived ready to work in the spring.
“But when you get our guys that are coming back, you see the Mason Wolfe’s that are emerging now. Those are the kinds of guys that got that extra practice time and extra reps and came into spring with a pep in their step,” Berezowitz said.
“Now we’re getting some depth, we’re getting more guys that can practice. We’re getting some guys that can go into the fall and get extra weight lifting and that’s how, when you’re not having to throw guys in before they’re ready, they’re getting all that extra work and they’re getting developed, which is that third piece that Coach Stoops talks about.”
Berezowitz spoke about Logan Stenberg's emergence as similar to Wolfe's, although the former did make extensive contributions as a redshirt freshman while it appears Wolfe will try to have the same impact as a redshirt sophomore.
“You look at some guys right now that are helping us as redshirt freshmen, you’ve got some guys that are really being productive players,” he said. “You think about Logan Stenberg. Redshirts his first year, coming out last year and the way he played, and the way he’s got a chance to play this year. That’s what’s happens when a guy’s in his third year in a program and he didn’t have to play as a true freshman. Especially your big guys.”
The lessons are many. It wasn't clear that Wolfe would settle in at guard, so keep an open mind when it comes to projecting a player's future. A redshirt year certainly helps. And, oftentimes, two years of strength training in a college program makes all the difference.