The Daily Cardinal runs an out route with UW freshman wide receiver Darrin Charles.
Charles, an Oshkosh, Wis., native, has six catches for 82 yards this season and scored his first collegiate touchdown in the Badgers' 31-28 loss to Oregon Sept. 1.
Has the transition from high school football to college football been as tough as you thought it would be, or even harder?
It has actually been a little tougher than I thought. Coming into camp I think I was mentally prepared for what was going on, but I think all the intangibles added to the stress.
What is your assessment of the team so far this year?
I think we are doing pretty well right now and we are getting better every day. We have kinks to work out from week to week. I haven't been on this team for very long, but from what I have seen from previous years we have always done a great job, so I think we will get better as the season goes on.
Do you get any flak from any of the other players on the team because you are a true freshman and you didn't get red-shirted?
No, not from the upperclassmen. I get a little flak from some of the other freshmen [because] I play in the game and things like that.
Who have been your role models on the team this year and how have they helped you out?
I would say definitely the upperclassmen as far as receivers, like [junior] Lee Evans and [senior] Nick Davis, guys who have the experience. My receivers coach has also done a great job.
Why did you choose Wisconsin?
I had a lot of offers from around the country and things like that, but Madison was the school I came to on an official visit. When I came here I basically fell in love with it, everyone was really personable, it was close to home for family reasons, and overall it just felt right.
What was it like to catch your first collegiate touchdown?
You know, I don't really even remember it too well [as far as] actually realizing what I was doing! Once I caught the ball of course I was celebrating'that's just normal' but I was beside myself.
What has been the most exciting experience for you thus far?
I think definitely that touchdown catch. It happened early in the season and I had been working hard until that point and it felt from then on that my season was going to get better.
Do you live in a public dorm and do the other freshmen treat you any differently?
No, I live in the Towers with some of the other guys. I think they look at football players in general strangely and they think everything is just handed to us. They just don't understand what really goes on.
Is it hard to balance football with academics?
It is definitely a time issue. You know your time is limited. It isn't necessarily how hard the work is, but how much time is needed to complete the work.
