University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: The Freshmen
8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Zach Barnett
The 2010 group of football freshmen and I have something in common. We are both undergoing our first football season here at North Texas, and as such, they will always hold a special place in my mind. As I have observed camp, a few fellow Mean Green newcomers have stood out to me over the past two weeks. I'm not saying these guys are going to win the Heisman, start or even play right away, but they've made their talent known to myself and everyone else inside the iron.
1. Aaron Bellazin, DE
Before he walked on the field for the first time, Bellazin looked like a ballplayer. Standing six-foot-two, 232 pounds, the Everman product appears as if he was born to play football. His quickness and lower-body explosiveness were on high alert from Day One. He can help this team this year.
2. Richard Abbe, DT
They call Abbe "Big Country", and there certianly not a more appropriate nickname for the 6-4, 357-pound Lubbock native. Abbe is not shy about showing off his personality, stomach or nasty side as Kelvin Drake learned when the two got in a scuffle during Abbe's first week of college football. The hole-clogger will get under the skin of opposing offensive linemen this year as well. Abbe has some work to do athletically, but for the time being he is a mountain of a man to move as a second-string defensive tackle.
3. Brandin Byrd, RB
Byrd's initals might as well stand for Bowling Ball. The youngster from Copperas Cove has bounced, bullied and bulldozed his way into pushing James Hamilton for the back-up running back spot. Byrd is already one of the most physical players on the offense, and boasts enough speed to earn work as a kick returner during practice. As much as Bellazin looks like an upperclassman, Byrd sounds like one. He's got the deepest voice on the team with a few octaves to spare.
4. Zachery Orr, LB
At six-foot, 240 pounds, Orr is built like an anvil and hits like hammer. The Class 5A All-State selection from DeSoto is getting plenty of snaps at middle linebacker. Being a middle linebacker, he's got the farthest to go mentally of the freshmen I've listed. Regardless, he can help this team in some capacity this season.
There's still a long way to go for these and all of the freshmen, but just two weeks into their careers, these guys appear to have hit the ground running as college football players.
