Dudley-Giles has stepped in for the injured Antoine Tharpe in addition to his duties on special teams.
UMass cornerback Trey Dudley-Giles is playing immediately for the Minutemen.
AMHERST – Trey Dudley-Giles came to the University of Massachusetts to play football because he wanted to be a part of something new.
He’s become a big part of it sooner than anyone thought.
The freshman cornerback is now starting with Antoine Tharpe out because of a foot injury, but he had already been seeing plenty of time in that spot before Tharpe went down leading up to the Western Michigan game. Dudley-Giles has also played on both sides of special teams – as a gunner and a punt returner.
The Dade City, Fla. native said he chose UMass over Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic, Ohio and Western Michigan because of the fresh start the program was getting.
“They said they wanted to start new,” Dudley-Giles said. “I wanted to be a part of something new. I decided to come here and be a part of something totally different.”
His introduction to most UMass fans came when he dropped a punt against Michigan – not exactly the first impression he was hoping for – but Dudley-Giles and fellow freshman cornerback D’Metrius Williams have been names on the lips of coaches from the beginning of training camp this summer.
UMass coach Charley Molnar said early in camp, though, that he would try to avoid playing freshman cornerbacks as much as possible because of how difficult it is to adjust to the position from high school to college, a sentiment he stood by Monday.
“Not only do they have to play the smaller, faster receivers and be able to use their feet and speed, but they’ve also got to play the bigger receivers that you see in our league,” Molnar said.
Of course, there’s that whole college thing too.
“As a freshman, you have all of these classes, practices and meetings, and then you have to do your homework. I would say staying focused is the toughest thing,” Dudley-Giles said.
Both Dudley-Giles and Williams have been great students of the game, according to cornerbacks coach Jeff Burris.
“The great thing about these young men is that they both want to get better,” Burris said. “The biggest attribute for both of them is that they’re coachable. The more you give them, the more they want to learn.”
All that being said, it didn’t stop Burris from being on edge when the duo entered the game against Indiana.
“The first time both had to go into the game, I had the nerves and anxiety just like a father putting his child out there without being sure if they’re ready,” he said.
But while there may be more growing pains, Molnar believes the future is bright for both.
“They are both going to be really good corners in the near future,” Molnar said. “It would be hard for me to think that (other teams) will put two better corners on the field at the same time when we get into the future than those two guys,”
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Molnar said he’ll release Wednesday whether Alan Williams, Nick Speller and Jamar Smith – the three players he suspended for the Western Michigan game for academic reasons – will play against Bowling Green on Saturday.
“Some of the guys are on track to be back and some won’t,” Molnar said. “Some of the guys still have a few more hurdles to jump over before they’re clear from an academic standpoint.”
Williams and Speller are both starters, while Smith hasn’t seen much time this season.
Those aren’t the only starters who might not be dressed Saturday.
Tight end Rob Blanchflower did not practice Monday because of a lower leg injury that kept him out at Western Michigan. He is questionable, according to Molnar.
Defensive tackle Galen Clemons is doubtful because of concussion symptoms. He missed two games with a head injury earlier this season.
Offensive lineman Jamie Casselberry sustained a concussion of his own against Western Michigan, and is still out.
Tharpe’s foot was still in a boot Monday, and he looks unlikely to play Saturday.
Linebacker Greg Hilliard (shoulder) and defensive back Iric Harris (leg) are both questionable.