There were times last season when sixth-year senior Dan Wenger wasn’t sure if he’d ever play football again.
The Notre Dame center began to question whether his playing career had come to a close in the two months following his second concussion in a three-week span.
“When you go through a concussion, obviously the emotions run wild and it’s a roller-coaster ride,” Wenger said. “One day is great, one day is bad, and you contemplate, ‘Is it worth it?’”
After two months of constantly waking up with headaches and battling fatigue despite sleeping nine or ten hours each night, Wenger decided it was time to see a neurologist.
There, the former Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas standout experienced a breakthrough when doctors discovered his symptoms were the result of improper sleeping patterns brought on by the most recent concussion. Wenger received a new medication, and promptly had what he calls “the best night of sleep I had gotten in probably two months.”
Now, fully recovered, Wenger has no fear of a recurring injury.
“This is instilled in me,” Wenger said. “It’s instilled in me to keep fighting, and I’m going to keep fighting.”
But his fight would not continue at Notre Dame.
Given how relatively little is known about the lasting effects of concussions, the Irish medical staff did not clear Wenger to return to the team.
So the center obtained a release from Notre Dame and petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.
Once these tasks were complete, Wenger turned to a pair of familiar faces in his search for a fresh start. He reached out to UF offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and offensive line coach Frank Verducci, both of whom he previously played under with the Irish. After three days of visits and more than seven hours of medical testing, Weis, Verducci and head coach Will Muschamp were happy to have Wenger become a part of the Florida program. His new teammates are glad to have him on board, too.
As the Gators transition from Urban Meyer’s spread-option offense to a pro-style, downhill run-blocking scheme, Wenger’s experience with the new playbook is an invaluable asset.
“It’s just like having another coach Verducci around,” said sophomore guard Jon Halapio.
“We all have questions, and he has the answers because he knows the playbook like the back of his hand.”
Even while Wenger was getting settled in Gainesville and learning his way around the practice facility, he was being looked to as a leader.
Although he represents a challenge and potential replacement for centers Jonotthan Harrison and Sam Robey, Wenger says he felt welcomed and appreciated by his positional counterparts, an attitude he plans to reflect to the rest of the team.
“Anything I can do to alleviate that transition for them, I’ll do my best to help,” Wenger said. “I know how it is coming in with a new offense and coming in as a freshman with coach Weis’ system. Your head spins constantly.”
With four starters gone from last season’s offensive line, the 2011 unit will need all the help it can get to make up for an injury-ravaged spring as the Gators prepare for their Sept. 3 season opener.
Even if Wenger never plays a down at UF, his experience in the system makes him an invaluable addition.
“I’m a Gator at heart,” Wenger said. “This is where it starts, and this is where it’s going to end for me.”
