Nesbitt would be asset for Rams

Tim Switzer
Leader-Post

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Mat Nesbitt is attempting his CIS comeback.

The 22-year-old linebacker was a member of the University of Regina Rams for three seasons (2003-2005) before deciding to leave school and join the Okanagan Sun of the B.C. Football Conference.

Friday, he was back on the Rams practice field as the team opened its spring camp.

"I can't picture myself not playing," said Nesbitt, who redshirted for the 2002 season after coming out of LeBoldus High School and played mostly on special teams in 2003. "I've got eligibility left, I want to finish up my school. So why not do both at the same time?"

The Rams would certainly like to have him too. In 2004, his first season starting at the U of R, Nesbitt was fifth in the country with 59 tackles to go along with three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and a sack.

The next year, he was second in the CIS with 62 tackles (behind fellow Rams linebacker Steve Wilson, who had 73) while also collecting three sacks.

In a year where Rams coaches are expecting the team's defence to match the offence's success in 2006, Nesbitt would certainly be a welcome addition. He was also the Rams' long-snapper in the past.

"It was only because he wasn't sure about school (that led to his departure)," said Rams head coach Frank McCrystal. "It's not that he even flunked out -- he didn't. He just wasn't committed to school and he wasn't sure if it was what he wanted or needed.

"He needed to be away for awhile and that's fine. He seems, to this point, to have decided that school is something he wants to do and this team is something he wants to come back to. He recognizes that it's all part and parcel.

"He would be a factor for us."

The school work is where Nesbitt will have to work the hardest. Nesbitt has more than enough on-field talent to play in the CIS, but during his first three seasons, he wasn't as committed to school as a university athlete needs to be.

Nesbitt says his time on the West Coast changed all that.

He has been enrolled in Kinesiology and Health Studies classes since January and will have to take a few more courses over the summer to be eligible to play.

"It wasn't anything that wasn't overcome-able that led me out (to B.C.)," said Nesbitt, whose father, Greg, is the Rams defensive-line coach. "It was some much-needed time off. It was an experience for sure. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about what it takes to get through that stuff.

"I jumped on to the Rams right after high school. I needed a little break and now I'm back. I think I got a little more responsible, but I guess time will tell."

Nesbitt's return would also help Wilson. Without Nesbitt last season, Wilson again led the CIS with 90 tackles. The next best number on the Rams was linebacker Clark Gates' 43 tackles and the team struggled to find someone to take over Nesbitt's spot in the middle.

"Any time's there's guys that can make plays it's a good thing," said Wilson. "Obviously, Mat could step in tomorrow and be the starting linebacker on any team."

A spot in the starting lineup isn't guaranteed for Nesbitt, however. Linebackers coach Jeff Zimmer pointed out that between returning Rams and new recruits, the team has seven players at the position in spring camps that have at least half a season of starting on a post-secondary team.

"We've got Scott Magee, Todd Kristoff (from the Regina Thunder) and all the guys we had last year," said Zimmer. "Even for (Nesbitt), he's going to have to work hard to get his position. If he comes back, he'd be a great asset to us. We were kind of missing that middle guy last year and that's definitely his position."

Nesbitt is also eligible for next week's Canadian college draft, although his year in junior football may have taken him off the radars of some CFL teams.

"I'd love to try a (CFL) training camp or if I make a team or a practice roster, great," said Nesbitt. "But I can't see what better place to be than with these guys if not."