Life and Times of DJ Shoemate

[bmayuc]

First I want to say I really feel for the kid and hope that this is just another blip in a career of blips and wish to see him on the field. With that being said, a quick timeline. This kid has seen everything in 5 short years

1. Heralded 5 star recruit to USC
2. Early success(plays as frosh)
3. position switch (FB/WR/FB)
4. Major Scandal @ USC
5. Transfer(no penalty) to UCONN, another position switch(to TB)
6. Fumble issues relegate to benchwarmer/special teams performer Edsalls last year
7. Injuries cost him chance to win starting job, linger throughout year/REDSHIRT
8. May have to retire due to chronic shoulder pain.

I will say this. For everything he has been through on his road, he always has been a terrific teammate and has shown no evidence of ego.

Hopefully we see him on the field this fall in ANY capacity, he has earned it after considering the above.

 

[Adios]

Chronic pain obviously is never a good sign. Good luck, DJ!

 

[junglehusky]

Yeah, I was a bit surprised there wasn't more reaction to this latest news here. But then maybe because we hadn't seem him on the playing field a lot, and there's a pool of younger guys competing for the chance to step in, it might be a case of we don't know what we're missing. I'd still love for DJ to show UConn country what he's capable of this fall.

 

[uconnell]

Really hoping to see him on the field this year. Good guy and teammate. Good luck DJ.

 

[Waquoit]

It's too bad. I still remember when I went to the open practice during his 1st preseason. He was kicking ass. I remember a teammmate laughing and saying, "That guy is a touchdown machine!" Some turnovers end up hurting worse than others.

 

[Excalibur]

It's too bad. I still remember when I went to the open practice during his 1st preseason. He was kicking ass. I remember a teammmate laughing and saying, "That guy is a touchdown machine!" Some turnovers end up hurting worse than others.

I was at that practice. He really looked like a man among boys. At the second practice he fumbled when they were working on goal line packages, and it was downhill from there.

Seems like a really good kid.

 

[cu73etr]

It is a shame. If you look at recruiting rankings etc. he was an ESPNU #59 and Andrew Luck was raked #61.

Hope he gets healthy and is able to play the game he loves.

 

[mattp]

that's a shame. he always seemed like a high character kid so i'm sure he'll be fine down the road. time to put that degree to use like the rest of us suckers.