5 BOROUGH SPORTS

So I just watched the third episode of ESPN’s fall show, “Depth Chart: Year of the Quarterback.” In each episode, ESPN goes to a top-tier Division I program and films a one-hour documentary about the team’s training camp and first game of the season. In the four episodes, ESPN travels to Auburn, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, and Arkansas. Each of these schools have one thing in common – the quarterback position is up for grabs. In each episode, we divulge into the lives of the players and coaches throughout the competition. We see how they prepare, act off the field, and how their practices go throughout training camp. We hear in on the coaches’ private meetings with the players. We also learn the history of the programs through their traditions before the start of the season.

This series has a very “Hard Knocks” feel to it, but I think it’s even better since it’s college football. Don’t get me wrong, I love “Hard Knocks,” but in “Depth Chart” we see how these student-athletes are really just 18-22 year old college kids. On the field, they have incredible talent with professional potential. But off the field they eat at the school cafeteria, go to class, and play video games like regular college kids. Even though they are “celebrities” on campus, they still go through their regular morning and afternoon activities on campus like everyone else. We also witness how the freshmen mature as they learn how to dedicate themselves to their respected programs.

Out of the three episodes that have already aired, I would have to go with Auburn’s episode as my favorite. The quarterback competition between the polished yet inexperienced junior Barrett Trotter, the former high school star sophomore Clint Moseley, and 5-Star true freshman Kiehl Frazier is incredible. The way ESPN lets us experience every crucial moment of this close competition during training camp was amazing. But tonight’s Wisconsin episode on redshirt-senior transfer Russell Wilson was also phenomenal. In other words, watch them all! If you love college football, this show will give you chills. Period.

This entry was posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:54 pm and is filed under College Football. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.