When Ty Robinson decided to return for one more season he did so for multiple reasons. One, he felt like he hadn’t finished what he started at Nebraska. Another, he knew he could get better. That he wasn’t as developed as he needed to be to play at the next level. He also knew Matt Rhule and the facilities at Nebraska had more to offer. So, he didn’t hesitate in returning. He was fully bought into the process.
Don’t think what Robison did was lost on Riley Van Poppel. RVP, as his teammates call him, redshirted last season. It wasn’t easy. Van Poppel has seen playing time as a freshman and felt like he was ready to go in his second year. But Rhule convinced him to sit out. To take his redshirt and continue to develop. It’s something that is becoming less and less common with young players, but Rhule didn’t have to twist Van Poppel’s arm too hard because he was also bought in and trusted the process.
So, what did Van Poppel have to say about redshirting last year and playing four games strategically over the season?
“Yeah, it was tough at first, I’m not gonna lie, you go through all winter and all spring and summer, put in a lot of work, and you know mentally I was very confident where I was at, thinking I was going to play a lot and then you get redshirted a couple of weeks in, and it was hard. Someone said it to me the other day, it was like, football is what I do, it’s not who I am. I had to realize that real quick. So, my mindset went from what can I do on Saturdays, to how I can help the team.”
Van Poppel played in his four allotted games last season, and there were times both he and the coaches questioned if they were doing the right thing. But if you listen to Riley Van Poppel and if you’ve seen him, redshirting was the right thing to do. In a recent photo standing next to incoming freshmen defensive tackle Tyson Terry, who is a big man, he made Terry look small. Van Poppel who is listed as 6’5” and 290 pounds looks every bit like one of the big bodies you want to see on your defensive line. With not playing every week last season, he was able to continue working in the weight room and play on the scout team.
“I was lifting four times a week, I was eating right, and I was looking at what I was eating,” Van Poppel said.
Young guys on the current roster and players looking to come to Nebraska need to take a long look at Robinson and Van Poppel. They have set the standard for what Matt Rhule is trying to build, a developmental program. Buying-in to that process is a must if a player wants to reach his full potential. The addition of defensive line coach Terry Bradden has helped as well. When asked about Bradden and his approach to coaching, Van Poppel had this to say.
“Something he tells us all the time, ‘energy is contagious’. There hasn’t been a day where he’s come in there down. He comes in there and lights up the room, puts a smile on your face and then he gets you ready to go, whether that’s in the film room in a meeting or whether we’re out on the field. The switch is on. We’re gonna work. We’re gonna get better at what we do. He’d very, very detailed, he wants us to go out there when we’re on the game field, he’s not gonna scream, do all that, he wants you to go play with effort, give it all you got and be violent. He can fix technique, he can fix the scheme, he can do all that in the film room. But when you are out on the field, he wants you to pin your ears back and go play.”
Listening to Van Poppel it was easy to see he liked Bradden and his style of coaching. He added, “Every day I learn something new from the guy, whether it’s in life or football.”
Playing with Robinson for a second season taught Van Poppel what it takes to be a leader as well. He sounds prepared to take on the role. When asked about the transition from redshirt to spring ball and all the starters being gone to being a leader, Van Poppel had this to say.
“Yeah, it’s been a lot of fun, I think it dates back to winter workouts when we first got back, realizing I’m in a position where I’m going to have to step forward and be a leader. I want to be one of those guys the team can count on. As a person and as a player. That when the lights are the brightest I can go out there and make a play, put the guys on my back. But I don’t say that selfishly, I mean I want the whole team around me. I want to help them too, doing what I can do. Whether that’s helping a young guy learn and adjust to college life whether he is a transfer or an early enrollee or something like that. Just kind of seeing the spot I’m stepping into. You know a leadership role. It was tricky at first, but I think the more and more I do it, the more comfortable I get. You know I have support from the guys and so that means a lot. They do trust me and look at me in that kind of light. And so just learning each and every day to go out there and trust in myself. Don’t doubt myself. I think that would be the biggest thing. I put all the work in, I can go out here, be a leader as a person and as a player. You know just go out here and give it my all for those guys around me.”
In seeing and listening to Riley Van Poppel it’s more than evident he’s a Blackshirt through and through.
Go to Off The Cob for more on Husker football.