Lucas at Large: Fresh faces feeling right at home
February 27, 2020 | Football, Mike Lucas, Varsity Magazine
As spring practice approaches, the newest Badgers are adapting to life on campus
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BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — As three of the seven mid-year enrollees — first semester college freshmen and technically second-semester preps — Chimere Dike, Nick Herbig and Jack Nelson, each 18, have found strength in numbers while adjusting to a new environment and culture with the Wisconsin football program.
"Other teammates have been really good to us but they're also in different stages (of their education)," said Dike, a wide receiver from Waukesha. "To have guys who are going through the same things that you're going through, and being able to relate to them, is definitely nice."
On developing a plan to graduate early from Waukesha North High School, he said, "When I started to get recruited, I thought about it a little bit. It kind of came more into fruition this summer. I was just ready for the next step — ready to come here and get better.
"But it was something I thought about for a month straight. I knew I would have to sacrifice some things in high school. Probably my biggest sacrifice was basketball and track and just friends. But I thought it was worth it. I thought I was ready mentally for it and it would benefit me in the long run."
Herbig was of the same mindset. After consulting with his parents and older brother, Nate, a second-year guard offensive with the Philadelphia Eagles, he said, "They were open for me to leave early, so we really explored my options and I thought it would be better for me to get a little head start."
Nate Herbig, who was not an early enrollee, started as a true freshman at Stanford. "He said it would definitely be better for me to get here because I could start training and learning the plays," related Nick, a linebacker from Honolulu, Hawaii. "He's my biggest mentor and I look up to him."
Before making the decision to accelerate his graduation timeline at Stoughton High School, Nelson, the first commit in the 2020 recruiting class, huddled with his dad, Todd Nelson, a three-year starter at guard for the Badgers (1986-88) and a former teammate of UW head coach Paul Chryst.
On transitioning to a Top 25 program on a campus with an enrollment of over 45,000, Jack Nelson, also an offensive lineman, said, "It's definitely harder — harder classes — and just what you would expect going from high school to college. It's more serious overall but otherwise not bad."
More serious? "Everyone is taking it way more serious," he said. "You don't get the guys in high school that just didn't care, or they were just there because they didn't have anything else to do. The people who are here are here because they want to do it and they really do care. That's awesome.
"Everybody wants to succeed, and everybody wants you to succeed."
Dike has found that to be true. More structure, more competition, more support.
"I love it … it has been a challenge … but it has been good," Dike said. "Way more attention to detail and I like that because it pushes you. Everybody is an elite athlete here pretty much. At workouts, every single rep you're competing and if you don't have your best rep, you're going to lose."
Dike has taken a pragmatic approach to the recent news that his UW position coach, Ted Gilmore, has left for an assistant's job at Michigan State. "It was obviously tough because he's a great guy and a great coach," said Dike. "I feel like we had a pretty good relationship together.
"But I trust that Coach Chryst will get someone in here who will help me develop and help every single person in our (wide receiver) room to develop. I knew that in coming to college that it was something that could happen, so I'm adjusting to it as it goes."
Dike was raised as a Badger. His mom, dad and grandfather all went to the UW. "When I was really little, I would pretend to be Nick Toon in the back yard," he said of Toon, the fourth leading receiver in school history. "Once I got the opportunity to come here, it was something pretty special."
During his formative years as a youth player, Herbig was a big fan of Hall of Fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. But he connected with some others, too. "I was a big J.J. Watt fan growing up," he said. "As I got a little older that's when T.J. Watt came on."
Herbig, Dike and Nelson each have their own expectations for spring practice.
"I just want to know what I'm doing when Coach puts me in," Herbig said of outside linebackers coach Bobby April. "When I do get the opportunity, I want to know my plays and know where I've got to be and then just make plays."
"Obviously, we're learning a lot and adjusting, and I just want to be able to continue to grow and just become a better player overall," said Dike. "I want to contribute in the biggest way possible next year. But there are so many good players that you just have to focus on your job and getting better."
"I expect it to be challenging," Nelson said of spring drills that will get under way in March. "After spring ball, I'll have a more clear idea where I'm standing. Right now, I just want to give it my all and see what happens."
Nelson has some extra motivation, if he needs any. Leading up the 2020 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, a prep all-star event, he was so impressive during practices that the national recruiting analysts from 247Sports upgraded Nelson from a four-star prospect to a five-star.
"Ratings don't really matter," said Nelson, who will join another five-star, redshirt freshman Logan Brown, in the O-line room. "Even if I was a one-star, I'd still give the same effort I do being a five-star. The (extra) star gives me something to prove. I've got to show people that I deserve that."
All the early enrollees have been grateful for the backing they've received within the team.
"The older guys take charge," Herbig said. "If I have questions, I'm not afraid to ask and they help me with whatever I need help with. They really took me in on the first day actually. They helped me with the plays, helped me with the workouts. Told me where I have to be and what I have to do."
The first day of classes was a bit of a culture shock, and Herbig needed help. "I was lost the first week, I didn't know where to go," he said, smiling. "But once I got into my routine and I figured out where all my classes were and talked to my professors, I kind of eased into it a little better."
Herbig has taken a liking to a military science class ("It's about leadership skills and real world problem-solving like making decisions in the moment").
Dike has noticed the volume upgrade in reading assignments ("It's just about scheduling your time and attacking your work").
Nelson has adapted to larger and more competitive classes ("Anthropology is a mid-size lecture, and Psych 202 is probably going to be the hardest").
Of the three, Herbig has inevitably spawned the most curiosity among his teammates.
"They ask me all the time what it's like living there (Hawaii)," said Herbig, who has found a kindred spirit in grad assistant coach Micah Kapoi, a native of Kapolei. "He's helped a ton. He reached out to me and said if I needed a little taste of home, if I need anything, I can reach out to him."
Conceding that he has missed "going to the beach on weekends with my friends" he has been adjusting to a Wisconsin winter. "It's not too bad, honestly," Herbig said. "It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be, so that's a good thing. As long as I have the right clothes on, I'm fine."
All three are looking forward to putting on a Wisconsin uniform. Especially since the older players have already made them feel like they belong during their transition. "Honestly," Dike said, "we have a lot of good leaders here at the UW, so it has been pretty easy."
