Courtland Joshua gets it.

In life you get thrown into the face of adversity at times and it’s how you overcome it that proves your character, and ultimately how your future will play out.

Chadron State linebacker Courtland Joshua is dealing with unexpected adversity heading into the fall football season, having to carve out a new niche during what was supposed to be a big senior campaign of chasing quarterbacks and stuffing the run game, which will now be delayed a year.

Joshua says he was running full speed and extended his leg while making a cut during a kickoff drill in spring ball when he tore his ACL.

So instead of being out on the field in a helmet and cardinal practice jersey with his defensive teammates, the injury has forced Joshua to find a new way to lead and help Chadron State get prepared to stop all those high-octane spread offenses across the RMAC.

He’s adapting well and been encouraging his teammates during drills, explaining situations and getting up near the action coaching up younger players on defense.  But it’s not only help with X’s and O’s that Joshua is providing as his new teammates navigate their new lives in college.

 

Watching Joshua at camp you can see how focused he is on continuing to build his skills even if he can’t physically perform drills.  He’s determined not to let an injury stop him from his development as a football player and told us a couple of keys to his success during his first three years.

 

Because of the injury Joshua is officially redshirting and expects to be a huge part of the 2016 defense. So far, his rehabilitation is moving along well.

 

Joshua’s play is easy to pick out on film and Defensive Coordinator Jeff Larson talks about how his absence will impact the linebacking corps.

 

Chadron State will continue fall practice over the weekend and build toward full pads and two-a-days next week.