How's your Backfield?

[CatMom]

I am convinced (and so are a lot of other SLC fans) we have the best backfield in the SLC. I also think we stack up pretty well against the best of the FCS, in this area, in experience, talent and depth. No one trick pony this year. How's your backfield looking?

Karrington Bush - RB - Senior - 5'11"/185/
2007 - SLC Freshman of the Year, All SLC second team
137/1039, 1621 APY
2008 - Hon Men AA RB
SLC first team - RB, Second Team - KOR
136/1065, 2330 APY
2009 - Pre-Season AA before Junior year
Went down with injury to all 3 major knee ligaments. Played in 4* games - 59/385, 510 APY
Losing 7 games (actually almost the entire season) he still ranks in the top 20 current active players for FCS APY.

*1st game - 1 series, used sparingly @ SUU & Nicholls - went down in the 3rd Q. Only "full" game played was vs. SLU, even if he had better stats vs Nicholls

28 games - 332/2489 (7.496 ypc) 3461 APY (126.3 apy/game) 18 TD's

Marcus Curry - Slot Back - Junior - 5'11"/214/
Navy Transfer
2008 - No stats - 4 games
2009 - 80/585 (7.31 ypc), 872 APY, 8 TDs
played in 10 of 14 games. Was Navy's leading receiver in 2009.
Best Game - 2 recep for 101 yds and 2 TDs against Ohio State.
Will replace Mishak Rivas (left school)
I was told "He is a better (superior) player/version than/of Rivas"

Frank Reddic - RB - Sophomore - 5'11"/195/
Redshirt pulled 1st game of 2009 when KB went down.
Used sparingly the remainder of the season even though he showed explosiveness, strength and speed. Playbook seemed to go more towards short yardage on the ground and relying on the pass more than anticipated. Had 32 carries the first 4 games but was only handed the ball 21 times in his last 5.
Had good game against TCU - scored a rushing TD against them.
2009 - 9 games 53/206, 6 TD's

Recruiting Info:
Second-Team All-State selection...two-time First-Team All-District 14-4A...named Kilgore News Herald Player-of-the-Year..chosen First-Team All-East Texas tailback...was District MVP after leading the Bulldogs to a district championship...finished the season with 2,013 yards on 334 carries and 22 TD's...rushed for more than 300 yards twice as a senior, including in a bi-district playoff game when he registered 53 carries for 347 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Marshall...the 53 carries & 347 yards set school records...named to the Texas High School Coaches Association and State Farm Insurance Academic All-State Football Team for 2008-09...played for coach Mike Vallery...chose Texas State over Sam Houston State, Northwestern State, Air Force, & Navy.

Dexter Imade - RB - RS Freshman - 5'11"/190/
2009 recruit who redshirted in 2009 but showed what he can do in spring drills this year. He was the standout RB in the Spring (Bush was not in pads). Has the makings of being KB's replacement but will have to fight for the job with Reddic.

Recruiting Info:
Two-time All-District 10-5A selection for head coach Kiff Hardin...gained 1,515 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 241 carries...best game came against Rockwall when he gained 227 yards and scored two TD's against Rockwall...rushed for 223 yards and a season-best four touchdowns on 29 carries against Garland...also ran for 204 yards and two TDs on 32 yards against Naaman Forrest...caught six passes for 78 yards...gained 1,293 yards and 10 touchdowns on 197 carries as a junior...also caught 13 passes for 127 yards as a junior

Josh Wray - RS Freshman RB/FB & LB - 6'0"/218
Chosen to play in the 2009 THSCA All-Star Game, they put him on the D/LB. Had several good tackles and sevearl QB rushes. Redshirted 2009 and not much has been heard of/about him. Highlight videos show talent. Another waiting in the wings. Will have to see how it goes when 2-a-days start.

Recruiting info:
Three-year starter at Samuel V. Champion High School...played both offense and defense, serving as a tailback and a linebacker...finished the 2008 season with 1,563 yards rushing and 15 TDs...had 272 yards receiving with two TDs...finished his career at Champion rushing for 2,640 yards and 26 TDs, 391 yards receiving and five TD receptions...also had 130 total tackles, 14 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries during his career...named First-Team All-District RB in 2007 and 2008...selected as a First-Team All-District DE in 2006 and 2007

Jeff McVaney - FB - Junior - 6'2"/220/4.6-40
Fullback who will more than likely be #1 on the depth chart this year
In HS he alternated as LB/RB and QB. Also is a LHP/DH on the baseball team - Scholly is in football
From two sports he has built both more power and speed in his legs
2009 was used mainly as #2 FB and mostly blocking. (utilized more when the #1 went down with an injury.) He can run, catch and pancake opposing players
(in the 2010 baseball season he took out Baylor's catcher)
Utilized properly he will be a threat. Not a Blake Burton, but he is an intelligent player and will only add to the depth of the backfield
2009 stats
11 games - 4/9, receiving 2/30, KOR 4/37, 9 tackles
2008 stats
9 games - reserve fullback.... played on special teams - 6 tackles

Recruiting Info:
Dave Campbell's Texas Football Texas Top 300 recruit ... Versatile player who was a three-time All-District 17-5A perfomer at Strake Jesuit where he earned All-District honors at three different positions in three different years fullback, linebacker and quarterback ... during his three-year career at Strake Jesuit he rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 20 rushing touchdowns ... as a senior quarterback was 114-189 with 21 TD passes while leading the Crusaders to an 8-3 record and first round play-off finish ... Rivals.com two-star recruit ... will represent Texas in the Bayou Bowl All-Star Game vs. Louisiana.

[tampajag]

Like the rest of our team unknown. Although I do anticipate this years team to run the ball more than they have in years past. at this point here's what the Jags are returning:

Gary Hollimon (6-0/215 RS SR): Spent most of his career as a backup QB/holder coaches actually got the bright idea to put the ball in his hads last season. Played mostly in the wild jag formation. Led the team in TDs and had the longest run from scrimmage. Came out of the spring as the starting RB. But if he remains there is a question since there's nothing set in stone for any position.
Last year's stats: 51 carries 361 yards 6 TDs 6.8 ypc longest rush 67 yards 14 catches 197 yards 2 TDs

Byron Williams (5-10/185 JR): Has the potential to be a breakaway threat. I expect to see him get more carries this season. played in 7 games last season.
Last year's stats: 26 carries 116 yards 4.4 ypc 1 TD 4 catches 36 yards 0 TDs

Brandon Rice (5-9/195 SO): saw some action as a freshman, was quite a surprise until an injury halted him.
last year's stats: 18 carries 92 yards 5.1 ypc 2 TDs 1 catch for 19 yards

[CoachL]

I'm not quite as young as I used to be, but I've been told that my backfield is still pretty hot!

[bjtheflamesfan]

Pretty packed...even with BJ Hayes moving to WR and Danny Broggin moving to DB we still bring back the 2009 runner up for Big South Freshman of the Year (and I believe leading rusher) Aldreakis Allen, third leading rusher SirChauncey Holloway, and UMass transfer Korrey Davis who may very well end up the feature back as well as Chase Barnett who redshirted last season

[McNeese75]

Just fine

[guinzone]

Youngstown State is very young at the running back position, but the five on the depth chart look very solid.

Here is how I rank the backs:
1. Torrian Pace - RS-Fr. - 5'10" 240 power back that is hard to get down.
2. Adaris Bellamy - Fr. - 4-star back by Rivals and has unreal moves.
3. Allen Jones - Fr. - Was a star at Youngstown Ursuline. Rushed for 4300 yards in career, leading the Irish to three consecutive state championship games and two consecutive state championships.
4. Jamaine Cook - So. - Only back with experience. Has a lot of shifty moves, but I am not too high on him personally.
5. Jordan Thompson - Fr. - Know very little about him other than he had an offer to Memphis and chose YSU over that school. He went to Lakota West, the same school at Jordan Hicks.

[Silenoz]

Maybe the best in the nation

[CatMom]

Maybe the best in the nation

This doesn't tell me anything. And are you not sure - maybe - or it may be?
I want info, not just chest thumping. Back it up.
Honest assessments. I haven't been this excited/impressed about our backfield....ever.

[Silenoz]

Maybe the best in the nation

This doesn't tell me anything. And are you not sure - maybe - or it may be?
I want info, not just chest thumping. Back it up.
Honest assessments. I haven't been this excited/impressed about our backfield....ever.

Reynolds - 47 TDs (2nd in '08, 1st in '09) over the last two years, workhorse, does not get tired, hurt, or worn down. Converted from WR, so he is exceptional catching balls and making plays in the open field. Will be an early favorite for the Payton this year. That was with/despite the most predictable and tired offense in the nation (no hyperbole!)
Dan Moore - strongest back in the nation. Should be unstoppable on any short yardage situation. Will see much more action with TBF and Klaboe graduated
Nguyen - one of the shortest and quickest backs in the nation, our own Barry Sanders as it were. Will also see much more action this year

Assuming they'll redshirt, but two 2-star recruits signed in 2010 who also have Griz Nation damn excited



And it could be may be or maybe, since we're rolling out a brand new offense and because.... well because it's July. Obviously I don't know that we'll end up being the best

[slulionsfan]

Lions will be loaded in the backfield this fall, and will take a backseat to no one in the SLC...Zeke Jones (6-0, 245, So.) takes over as the every down back and should challenge for the league rushing title if he stays healthy...big, physical, downhill runner with good moves, and also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield...as a freshman in '09, ran for 395 yards and 5 TDs on 79 carries, while catching 25 balls for 226 yards...has skills to go over 1,000 rushing and catch 40+ balls

Providing a change of pace will be sophomore, Sam Fairley (5-9, 180, 4.37)...Sam should have redshirted last year, but was forced into action due to only having three tailbacks on the roster...had an outstanding spring and brings electric moves and big play capability...I'm really excited to see how he performs with a more expanded roll in the offense.

Also have JC transfer, Michael Chaney (5-10, 200) who was a big surprise in the spring...more of a combo, speed-power back who's in between Zeke and Sam.

Incoming freshman, Jordan Wells (5-10, 190) from Round Rock, Texas, also brings a combination of speed and power, and should compete for playing time right away...ran the 2nd fastest 40-yard dash (4.44) at the U.S. Army National Combine and can score from anywhere on the field.

http://nebraska.rivals.com/cpevent.asp?Key=33132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Incoming freshman, Bryant Dunn (6-0, 185) from Donaldsonville HS, Louisiana, is another shifty, home run threat who can also catch the ball out of the backfield...hopefully we can redshirt him.

With a much improved, and more physical offensive line, and more of an emphasis on a power running game, we should see a big spike in our total rushing output this fall...we'll also be a lot more mobile and be more of running threat a the QB position as well.

[McNeese75]

Lions will be loaded in the backfield this fall, and will take a backseat to no one in the SLC...Zeke Jones (6-0, 245, So.) takes over as the every down back and should challenge for the league rushing title if he stays healthy...big, physical, downhill runner with good moves, and also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield...as a freshman in '09, ran for 395 yards and 5 TDs on 79 carries, while catching 25 balls for 226 yards...has skills to go over 1,000 rushing and catch 40+ balls

I was impressed with the Jones kid last year but I question if he will be able to take the league rushing title. First of all, at that size is he going to be able to handle to reps it will take to get those yards (I am talking stamina here) and second if your stable or RB's is as good as you think will he get enough carries to produce the needed yards? This is no slam to the player, he is a good one and will be a force over the next few years.

[CatMom]

We'll see how it goes. SLU's # 1 back stacks up against our # 3 and you have 3 unproven commodities while we have 4 with college game experience.
However, until we know how good/bad the SLC D's are against the run and how any of these guys perform it's a crap shoot. I still like our depth over everyone else's.

[Tribe4SF]

W&M is very strong here.

RB

- Jr. Jonathan Grimes 5'10" 205 / combination of speed, power and elusiveness. Rushed for 2,200 yards in first two seasons.
- Sr. Courtland Marriner 5'8" 185 / Speed king who ran a 10.4 100 in H.S. Team Captain. 1,117 career yards rushing.
- Sr.Terrence Riggins 6'2" 230 / Power back with good speed. 684 career yards rushing. Also plays FB.
- So. Mel Jones 5'9" 200 / Combo back who showed well in limited action last year.

FB

Tribe used four here in '09, and all return.

- Sr. Jimmy Hobson 5'11" 220
- So. John Ribble 6'1" 227
- Sr. Kyle O'Brien 6' 250 (DL who comes over on short yardage)
- So. TJ Ptachick 6'2" 225

[slulionsfan]

Lions will be loaded in the backfield this fall, and will take a backseat to no one in the SLC...Zeke Jones (6-0, 245, So.) takes over as the every down back and should challenge for the league rushing title if he stays healthy...big, physical, downhill runner with good moves, and also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield...as a freshman in '09, ran for 395 yards and 5 TDs on 79 carries, while catching 25 balls for 226 yards...has skills to go over 1,000 rushing and catch 40+ balls

I was impressed with the Jones kid last year but I question if he will be able to take the league rushing title. First of all, at that size is he going to be able to handle to reps it will take to get those yards (I am talking stamina here) and second if your stable or RB's is as good as you think will he get enough carries to produce the needed yards? This is no slam to the player, he is a good one and will be a force over the next few years.

I have no doubt he can handle the load...he's a physical specimen who's in great shape and extremely strong...the more he gets the ball, the stronger he gets, like most big backs...we'll run the ball a lot more this year, and if he can average 18+ carries per game, he should go over 1,000 yards...whether that's good enough to win the league rushing title is up in the air, but should be in the mix if he stays healthy.

[slulionsfan]

We'll see how it goes. SLU's # 1 back stacks up against our # 3 and you have 3 unproven commodities while we have 4 with college game experience.
However, until we know how good/bad the SLC D's are against the run and how any of these guys perform it's a crap shoot. I still like our depth over everyone else's.

Our No. 1 stacks up with anybody on your roster - and then some...you don't have anybody with his combination of size, power and athleticism, and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.



Bush is a quality back for sure, but he's coming off major knee surgery, and until we see him in live game action, there's no way to know if he'll be anywhere close to 100% or close to being the impact player he was his first two seasons.

Your other guys are unproven commodities as well.

[T-Dog]

Devon Moore will be a beast this year for ASU. He's going to get max carries to take the pressure off whoever the QB is. Word is that he is up to 210 lbs., running a 4.5 40, benching 320 and squatting almost 500. And that's not just one-and-done stats. That's doing a set of reps.

Last year he had 256 rushes for 1,374 yards, 19 TDs, 98.1 ypg plus 36 receptions for 282 yards.

Behind him is Sophomore Rod Chisolm and Senior Devin Radford, both very capable.

If Presley/Jackson can get yards on the ground, plus Cadet when we run the Wildcat, we'll be loaded. And that's behind an o-line that brought back all but one starter and everyone is at least a junior.

[CatMom]

I'm not going to get into a pissing match, SLU , but we have 4 guys with game experience. Curry was an integral part of Navy's O last year, Reddic filled in at RB when Bush went down and McVaney has 2 seasons under his belt.

Your feature back will have to be either a RB or receiver to rack up the numbers you're espousing. I'd like to see your coaches just let him run all day long and cut back on the receiving part of his skill set. 5 ypc won't get him the numbers to put him in contention for the rushing title. (Bush - 7.5, Curry-7.3) But if they just let him run it could be interesting. No doubt SLU will be in the thick of things if they stay consistent. You have a v. good team and return quite a lot of talent. The SLC, despite what the pre-season polls have, will be interesting again this season. I'd love to be able to watch other games on Saturdays, to catch some of these other guys but, I'm usually in San Marcos.


(FWIW - Bush is right on track with recovery and has been participating in the 7 on 7's. He may not be 100% where he was before but I bet he's at 90 and that's better than most)

Don't get overly sensitive, I'm looking for depth vs. the rest of the FCS elite running corps, not individuals. The last time we had near this depth (2008) we took the SLC. I don't have the 40 times on these guys (tried to find them) but we haven't replaced Zwinggi (4.34) yet. But I think we stack up well. That's what I'm looking to find out. The likes of Montana, App State and JMU have returning proven depth, whom I appreciate fully.

[BigSkyBears]

very average

[slulionsfan]

I'm not going to get into a pissing match, SLU , but we have 4 guys with game experience. Curry was an integral part of Navy's O last year, Reddic filled in at RB when Bush went down and McVaney has 2 seasons under his belt.

Your feature back will have to be either a RB or receiver to rack up the numbers you're espousing. I'd like to see your coaches just let him run all day long and cut back on the receiving part of his skill set. 5 ypc won't get him the numbers to put him in contention for the rushing title. (Bush - 7.5, Curry-7.3) But if they just let him run it could be interesting. No doubt SLU will be in the thick of things if they stay consistent. You have a v. good team and return quite a lot of talent. The SLC, despite what the pre-season polls have, will be interesting again this season. I'd love to be able to watch other games on Saturdays, to catch some of these other guys but, I'm usually in San Marcos.


(FWIW - Bush is right on track with recovery and has been participating in the 7 on 7's. He may not be 100% where he was before but I bet he's at 90 and that's better than most)

Don't get overly sensitive, I'm looking for depth vs. the rest of the FCS elite running corps, not individuals. The last time we had near this depth (2008) we took the SLC. I don't have the 40 times on these guys (tried to find them) but we haven't replaced Zwinggi (4.34) yet. But I think we stack up well. That's what I'm looking to find out. The likes of Montana, App State and JMU have returning proven depth, whom I appreciate fully.

If you'd rather not partake in a "pissing match," I highly suggest you not start one.

[CatMom]

Forum Comprehension 101:

I'm not going to get into a pissing match, SLU, but

changes the whole post


I also want to try and clarify this part:

I'm looking for depth vs. the rest of the FCS elite running corps, not individuals.

See?

[JConnolly]

Elon's backfield should be pretty strong. We have 3 RB's that fit well into our style of offense and have seen a lot of playing time. Sr. Brandon Newsome, and Jrs. AJ Harris and Jamal Shuman should all contribute a lot this year and balance out our offense now that we don't have Terrell Hudgins anymore.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Pretty solid.

Of course we have All-American Junior phenom Taiwan Jones (19 TDs, 2,345 all-purpose yards in his 2009 debut) coming back, and 5 more games with turf under his feet instead of shoddy grass. He should also be an early favorite in the Payton ballot (along with Reynolds, and Herrick).

Backup Darriell Beaumonte didn't play much at all last year, but put up impressive numbers in Jones' absence during spring ball (3 scrimmages, he rushed 22 times for 236 yards). He runs heavy and hard, as he's 5'11, 210.

Third string Chase King... don't know too much about him, had less playing time than Beaumonte last season.

Of note is converted RB Tyler Hart who switched to/played WR last year. He's quick and elusive... great at picking up those YAC. Could switch back to RB if Taiwan went down (knock on wood ).

Excited about recruit "Super Mario" Brown, a 5'9/175 speedster also out of the Bay Area (TJ is the other). Has great downfield vision, elusive and quick (4.44).

[DKHardee]

Well.... We have Jeremy Height who has lots of talent. Enough talent to run with anybody in the FCS but he is injury prone and has hands made of greased owl sh!t. If his knee is healthy and if he recovers from fumbleitis, I think he could lead the Big South in rushing.

[Fact]

Probably The Best in America

[UCABEAR]

The Bears have to replace Brent Grimes, the leading rusher in the SLC last year, and his partner in crime Leonard Ceasar. Both are going to be missed for sure! But....after watching the spring practice there are more than capable replacements with more speed than both of them! Keep in mind that many don't have that much in college stats yet because 2 years ago it was Nathan Brown passing everything and last year the two RBs did everything..so this is their first year of real playtime. I've been VERY impressed.

Terence Bobo:RB 6-0 210 So
High School: Two-time 3A All-State selection at Atkins High School ... totaled 4,367 rushing yards and 58 touchdowns for career ... three-time All-Conference pick... named to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore Team ... selected as Little Rock Touchdown Club 3A MVP, State Farm 3A Offensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Landers Award ... named to Associated Press All-Arkansas Super Team and was the KARV Dream Team Player of the Year ... was selected to Arkansas High School All-Star Game ... ranked No. 134 athlete in nation by ESPN.com, two-star rated by Rivals.com ... state finalist in 300m hurdles.
(watched this kid light up the field in spring practice! Amazing cut ability and hard to pull down)

Anthony Blackmon: 5-10 196 So
High School: Rushed for 2,562 yards and 34 touchdowns at Bentonville HS in 2007 ... was named 7A All-State, KARN Most Valuable Player, Landers Award Finalist, Little Rock Touchdown Club 7A MVP and was a Hooten’s Award finalist ... was twice selected All-County and All-Conference ... was Arkansas High School All-Star Game selection ... was state finalist in 110m hurdles ... member of National Honor Society.

FB Chris McKnight FB 5-10 243 Jr.
High School: Two-way star at Mayflower HS where he was named 2006 All-State and was a two-time All-Conference and All-Faulkner County selection. Was also named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette AAA Defensive Player of the Year and was runner-up for the State Farm Player of the Year. Was a two-time Burlsworth Award winner and was the Log Cabin Democrat MVP. Had 227 career tackles and rushed for 1,400 yards as a senior.

Jackie Hinton- RB 5'10" transfer from Houston.
Marcel Threat- RB 5'9" freshman
Jeremy Jester- TE 6'3" 252 transfer from Tennessee. (This kid will carry the ball too. IMO)

But some of the biggest threats to get yardage comes from the QBs themselves. Nathan Dick, 6'4" can get 10 when necessary and his spring co-qb Wynrick Smothers can grab 15 - 20 when he wants! The backfield looks SOLID!