Rees Wedderburn: "I Want To Show People Why I'm Here"

Rees Wedderburn is a bit of a mystery man.

Bring up his name around Todd Yeagley and IU’s head coach begins to explain how the sophomore forward could completely alter the course of the Hoosiers’ season. Get the Englishman’s teammates talking about him and they soon run out of adjectives to describe what he can do with the ball at his feet.

“He can do things that other players just can’t do,” fellow sophomore Austin Panchot said. “He can rip a shot with his left foot from 20 (yards) out, upper 90 and then play a brilliant ball the defender can’t get to. He’s got a lot of intangibles that a lot of guys can only wish to have.”

There’s a problem though—nobody’s seen it. At least, not the Wedderburn that Panchot’s seen.

That version of Wedderburn is lurking, waiting. But he’s done with that. He wants his chance to show Bloomington why Yeagley recruited him to chase after a ninth national championship.

“This year, I want to show people why I’m here,” Wedderburn said. “That’s the big thing is showing people what I’m able to do.”

Wedderburn appeared in nine games for IU last season in his first year in the United States. He managed eight shots, three of which were on goal, but was never able to carve out a significant enough niche to play consistently.

Talent has never been the issue. Anyone who knows Wedderburn will attest to that.

Back in England, Wedderburn played youth soccer with West Bromwich Albion beginning at the age of 12. Soccer was all he knew, and he learned it through one of the Premier League’s founding clubs.

“He can change the game,” Yeagley said. “He’s a clinical finisher, he’s a restart specialist. His thoughts in the final third are there, it’s just how does he fit in with everyone else? And how can he effect the game when he’s on the field? There’s a lot to be sorted out, but we’re a better team this year with him ready to help us.”

Wedderburn was slow to become physically ready to see the playing field as a freshman last season because he didn’t come into fall camp fit enough. Back with West Brom, he’d have weeks to get his fitness sorted out. At Indiana, he had about 10 days.

To compound on that further, Wedderburn was also balancing a return to school after not attending class for three years prior to college. Two-a-days were fine. He could handle that. But getting adjusted to being in the classroom almost 4,000 miles from home was a learning curve that took time.

“Coming over and not knowing what to expect was always tough,” Wedderburn said. “Now, I feel at home in a way. Coming back in with all the guys felt like second nature.”

With his fitness level where it needs to be, Wedderburn is at work trying to earn a job with the Hoosiers to prove himself in front of fans. Where he plays is still being determined.

Wedderburn spent virtually his entire youth career playing on the wing, but Yeagley has experimented with him at the 10 spot, which is a second striker in IU’s system. Between that spot and the two attacking wings, Wedderburn will have plenty of opportunity to fill into a position somewhere.

Wherever he goes, Wedderburn seeks an opportunity to be able to pick up goals and assists. He wants to use that talent his teammates and coaches rave about to help the Hoosiers win more games.

Because having potential is one thing. Living up to it is another.

“I’d like to get a full taste this year, play a lot more and contribute a lot more to this team,” Wedderburn said. “I’m here to hopefully come out of it with a national championship.”

Game Day: Indiana will play Oakland at 7:30 p.m. tonight in an exhibition match at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers lost to Loyola Chicago 2-0 on Tuesday.