By now, you’ve heard the theory.
But, just to humor you, it goes something like this: Talented Athlete A doesn’t practice well. He was a highly ranked recruit and he runs fast and lifts heavy weights and more than looks the part, but he can’t seem to get up for these monotonous daily practices. He doesn’t compete hard in drills. He doesn’t ever excel in scrimmages. He has all the ability in the world, but his coaches can’t seem to access it.
That is, until Saturday. There’s something about the bright lights and the big crowds and the Pac-12 competition.