Four-star ATH Godwin Igwebuike will pick which position he'll play at Northwestern -- running back or defensive back. http://northwestern.scout.com/2/1263846.html

Does he really think that HE will make the decision of where he plays?  Maybe for the first day or two of fall practice... then the coaches will put him where they think he can most help the team.

A source confirmed this to me. Godwin does get his say in the position pick.

Interesting.  Regardless, I suspect he'll also pick where he can contribute and play the most.

He'll get to pick his position.  When it becomes evident he choose poorly, then he'll ask for a switch.

(this is a test post because i'm having trouble posting on any board)

Gladeskat wrote: He'll get to pick his position.  When it becomes evident he choose poorly, then he'll ask for a switch.

(this is a test post because i'm having trouble posting on any board)

Yeah... no.  The coaches will talk with the kid to find his preference and reasons for thinking that way, but it will be their decision and not his.

is that banter on TOS regarding Kentucky still pursuing him a bad joke or for real?

It's a joke. He's already sent in his LOI.

FloridAlum wrote: It's a joke. He's already sent in his LOI.

I was assuming it was... but I have to admit, the joke wasn't funny.

I remember our coaches originally wanted Campbell as a RB, but he didn't want to play the position in college. We then offered him as a safety.

Igwebuike will be a starter eventually at either position.

gocatsgo2003 wrote:

Gladeskat wrote: He'll get to pick his position.  When it becomes evident he choose poorly, then he'll ask for a switch.

(this is a test post because i'm having trouble posting on any board)

Yeah... no.  The coaches will talk with the kid to find his preference and reasons for thinking that way, but it will be their decision and not his.

Yeah, the above post was hastily typed and posted as a test of sorts because I was having difficulty posting elsewhere for some reason.

Here's my concern.  What if a player is a natural at one position but has the skills and ability to contribute at another position of greater need.  The coaches may do what's best for the team but not necessarily what's best for the individual player's career.  I hope the coaches take the skills and interests of the player into consideration when assigning them to a position, and if they do move a player to a new position, carefully assess their progress in that new position against hypothetically where they might be at their original position.  Those situations will usually work themselves out over time, but I hate to see players playing out of position and potentially hurting their careers.

Martez Wilson might be an example, but in that case, I believe he wanted to play LB rather than play at his more natural position, DE.  While he became a decent LB by his senior year, Tez should have played DE his entire career.