YOUNGSTOWN - Sheldon Brogdon knows what is in his best interest.

So far, the Youngstown State freshman and former Warren G, Harding standout is taking every precaution possible.

Brogdon injured his left knee for the Raiders in a game Feb. 3 against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. Later that month, Brogdon, a 6-foot, 170-pound guard, found out he tore his ACL and had season-ending surgery.

"When I first got injured, I wanted to redshirt because I didn't want to rush back," Brogdon said. "I talked to so many people and told me not to rush back. I've seen NBA players take their time on it on the injury. I decided not to rush it."

Brogdon will be one of three YSU players sitting out this season - all for different reasons.

Brogdon is seeking a redshirt at the end of the season, as is YSU freshman and former St. Peter Chanel standout Lamar McKnight. McKnight is not hurt, but is taking this season to fine tune his game. Both should receive their redshirts when they apply to the NCAA since neither has played this season.

Former WGH standout Damian Eargle, who had a standout freshman season at North Carolina-Greensboro, transferred to YSU over the summer and has to sit out this year because of NCAA transfer rules.

YSU redshirt freshman Eddie D'Haiti took the same road as McKnight - he sat out to improve his game.

"I got to watch how the conference plays, how tough guys were," D'Haiti said. "I learned what to do, what not to do. It was just as important to sit out for that year.

"I know exactly how those guys feel, Sheldon, Lamar and Damian. They're sitting down. They're just like a sponge - soaking a lot of information in. It's important as they sit out, they learn."

Knowing what it's like to sit out and just be the sponge, D'Haiti has advice for the trio.

"Pay attention. Don't stop working. (YSU) Coach (Jerry Slocum) is always throwing information out. You have to soak it."

Brogdon knows he has to be an intent listener when Slocum speaks.

"You have to pick up a lot because coach makes things go fast," Brogdon said. "He's not going to talk with anybody else. You have to learn it real quick."

As for Eargle and McKnight, they practice with the team.

"They're like the scout team in practice. They're trying to make our teammates better," Brogdon said. "As far as I can do, I can keep encouraging them and tell them to stay on the court and try to get better."

Eargle, who graduated from Harding in 2007, is doing everything he can this year to make sure he can impact the Penguins next season.

"This year is more about learning plays, lifting weights, little things like going right more than going left - learning simple stuff to get better, to make the team better.

"If I could get bigger, at least 10-15 pounds, it would help me do everything better. If I could do that, the sky's the limit. I just want to work hard."

As for Brogdon, he is aiming for late December or early January to start practicing. He's been taking things easy with the knee and is seeing improvement.

"It's getting better," Brogdon said. "I can do everything except for just jumping."

And jumping is what Brogdon wants to be able to do just like he did before his injury.

"When I watch my other tapes, see the dunks I did, those things like that, I want to jump like I used to," he said.

However, he knows it is something that doesn't need to be rushed even though he'd like to do more.

"I have friends tell me to chill out with the things I do," Brogdon said. "I have to take my time, though. I don't want to re-injure it. It's hard, but it's something you have to do."

jvargo@tribtoday.com