One of the biggest questions coming into this season revolved around which of the Kansas linebackers would step up and seize one of the three starting positions that were available. One of the veterans that have really stepped up and seized the opportunity to start is Justin Springer. Springer is a player that many experts conveniently forgot about due to his season ending ACL injury against Kansas State last season, but through dedication and perserverence he has inserted himself into the starting lineup as the strong side linebacker.Springer has been putting in plenty of hard work to get himself back into game shape and make sure that his knee is ready to take the wear and tear of playing in the Big XII. Mark Mangino has been one of the his main proponents when it comes to his rehab progress.
“Being injured is a lonely world. You are not practicing with your teammates and you want to be out there, but you are not. And as much as the coaches and players embrace you and want you to feel a part of it, because you are not participating, it is lonely.” Mangino explained how injured players often feel. ” But he has had good rehab. He has come back slowly and he has had a few roadblocks, but he is coming around now and we are easing him in to it, but he will be full speed before you know it.”
Mark Mangino knows a good line-backing crew when he sees one, and he anticipates dealing with tough group this week when the Jayhawks go on the road to play the UTEP Miners. One of those Miners happens to be someone near and dear to Justin Springer.
“Their linebackers are pretty decent and one of them is Justin Springer’s twin brother.” Mangino explained to the media. “They moved him from quarterback to linebacker and you can tell he is still learning, but he is just like Justin in that he plays hard, he makes plays and he is a good football player.”
Justin Springer and Jeremy Springer are twin brothers who had only spent a few days apart in their entire life prior to heading off to college. Justin was the highly touted linebacker that ultimately decided to go to KU, while Jeremy was the skinnier kid with the rocket arm. Jeremy took his own path and headed to UTEP hoping to get the opportunity to play quarterback. After 2 seasons as a backup, Jeremy decided to make the switch to linebacker, which makes for some great drama heading into this week two match-up. So does Justin keep a close eye on the Miners?
“Big time. Last week I was watching that game and I was really disappointed they(UTEP) lost.” UTEP lost to Buffalo 23-17. “ But of course this game I’m not.(Upset if they lose)”
Justin has plenty of advice to give to his brother when it comes to dealing with their loss last week to the University of Buffalo.
“I just told him a couple of things he needed to work on like staying lower and wrapping up. Sometimes he didn’t wrap up and he missed like three tackles and should have had 13 tackles, but he missed three.” Justin explained.
So how important is it to Justin and Jayhawks to put up a good performance on the road against UTEP?
“It is very, very important, especially against UTEP. It is going to be a crazy atmosphere over there with the Sun Bowl and it is going to be fun, but it is very important for our team(to get the win) and I think we are going to do that.” Justin told the media.
It is never easy to get a win on the road in Divison I football, let alone against a team that many were picking as a possible upset over the Jayhawks due to their dynamic offense that returns from a year ago. If anyone is familiar with the Miners and their strengths, it would obviously be Justin Springer.
“I know a lot of their players. I know their quarterback (Trevor Vittatoe) personally, I know their linemen. I know everybody on that team. They are going to be a lot better than they played against Buffalo. I promise that.” Springer explained. “They are really good offensively. They have very fast receivers, a very good quarterback and they are confident, real confident that they can beat us and we have got to play hard.” Springer explained the key to the game.
Justin Springer has overcome quite a bit to get the point where he is at now for the Jayhawks. He has overcome injury, riding the bench as an underclassmen, and being separated from his brother to come to Kansas. It will be a game of conflicted emotions for Justin, but it will more than likely be one of his career highlights and expect a dynamite game out of him as well. It will be curious to see which team the Springer parents will be cheering for though.
