Butler pair biding time at SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK — Football on delay?
Slippery Rock University will not play this fall and hopes to play this spring.
There is good and bad in that scenario for a pair of Butler graduates — Nick Stazer and Sam Enslen — trying to earn playing time on The Rock's offensive line.
Stazer is a 6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore guard-tackle. Enslen is a 6-4, 330-pound redshirt freshman who has been working out at center.
“We're excited about both of those guys,” SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said. “Having no spring ball this year, they lost out on valuable time with (offensive line coach) Chris Conrad and time to develop the craft of playing the position.
“I think they can both do it. These are unique circumstances. We'll see how they handle it.”
Stazer played only one year of high school ball — his senior season at Butler. He originally walked on at Pitt before transferring to The Rock.
“My goal last year was to start and that's my goal this year,” Stazer said. “I've shuttled between guard and tackle and there are starting spots open on the left side of the line.”
Left tackle Chris Larsen and left guard Ryan Podgorski have graduated from last year's SRU team that finished 13-1, reaching the NCAA Division II semifinals.
Enslen has four years of eligibility to play at The Rock while Stazer has three years.
“It was a big hit, a big loss,” Enslen said of losing out on spring ball. “It stinks for the older guys on the team that we're not playing this fall.
“But for a younger player like myself, it's more time to hit the weight room 100 percent, lose more body fat and watch a lot more film.”
Lutz emphasized that Stazer and Enslen have a chance to work themselves into “the best shape of their lives” and compete for time on the field.
Stazer plans to take advantage.
“There are two starting spots open on the line and about eight players competing for them,” he said. “We all feel like we have a chance.
“This team is filled with good football players at every position. What we lost in the spring was a chance to work on technique and get to know the playbook better. But everyone lost out on that time. Young players or older, it set us all back a little bit.”
Enslen played all along the offensive line at Butler. He started at center the final four games of his senior year.
“They (Butler coaches) were searching for the right combinations and I benefited from that,” Enslen said. “I feel like I can play anywhere on the line.
“My goal is to be ready to fill any role the team needs me to do. If I'm the 'sixth man,' the guy who comes in when someone else goes down with an injury, I want to be able to help this team win a national championship.”
Lutz gives both players a shot at making an impact next season and seasons beyond.
“The tools are there,” he said. “Nick and Sam could be strong players for us up front for a while. They've got the size and tenacity.”
Stazer is hopeful the Butler pair winds up starting side-by-side.
“That would be awesome,” he said. “I've worked out with Sam for three years now. I know what he's capable of.
“I'd love to see that happen.”
Regardless, their development will receive plenty of help.
“We haven't gotten much time yet to be on the field with all of these great players and great coaches,” Enslen said. “But we will.”
