From the time James Bailey made a commitment to Fresno State, coach Tim DeRuyter and the Bulldogs defensive coaching staff thought that he could make an immediate impact on the football field.
They were hoping, of course, and surely wanted it to happen. With depth questions at outside linebacker, they needed it as well. But it’s not always best to give voice to such things, because it is a big jump from high school to college. The game and the schemes are more complex; the players in it are faster and more physical.
But the freshman set aside any questions or concerns very early in fall camp and has been trending upward ever since.