Everyone has heard about the impressive number of highly-recruited running backs that the University of Southern California boasts.
But in South Florida, the University of Miami has quietly established a stable of talented running backs, all of whom are eager to contribute to the rebuilding efforts currently going on in Coral Gables.
The oldest of the group is Derron Thomas.
The lone senior of the group has never been the featured back at Miami. However, he has never complained—instead he has provided the team with a reliable back-up option in case something were to happen to his teammates.
In his previous three seasons Thomas had never eclipsed 50 carries in a season. In fact, last season he had a career-high 200 yards rushing and a 5.0 yards per carry average. He has finished his final spring determined and looks ready to step in and contribute when called upon.
Shawnbrey McNeal is the best home run threat on the Hurricanes.
At 5'11'' and 190 pounds, McNeal is a speedster whose compact body and low running style also make him tough to tackle. He showed flashes of his talent last year, including a 39-yard touchdown in a loss to Georgia Tech where he bounced off a defender before bursting from the pack.
But his primary impact will most likely come in the return game, where he will be called upon to join the kickoff return bycommittee team that the 'Canes will employ.
The two focal points for the running game will be sophomore Graig Cooper and junior Javarris James.
Cooper led the team in rushing last season with 682 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Cooper is the more elusive of the duo and could also see time returning punts. Look for him to build on his freshman season and develop rapidly.
Coaches are already talking about the muscle he has added since last season, which should make him more difficult to bring down and a terror to opposing defenses.
He showed off his new look in the spring game and immediately made an impact, leading the team in yards with 91 and scoring two long touchdowns where he showed great vision and no loss of his breakaway speed.
James was a freshman All-American in 2006 after rushing for 802 yards, but regressed last year in part because of the addition of Cooper, and in part because of nagging injuries.
He rededicated himself in the offseason, and coaches said he looked the best he has ever looked in spring drills. He will be looked upon for leadership this season in a very young backfield.
Offensive coordinator Patrick Nix tinkered with using James in the slot on passing routes, and by all indications the experiment worked. Expect to see a lot of James in the slot, as well as James coupled with Cooper behind Robert Marve.
But Miami has more. The other three running backs on the roster all have great talent, and Randy Shannon and Nix will be looking for ways to get them on the field this summer.
Kylan Robinson was a highly-touted recruit from the Tampa area, and after redshirting as a freshman, Shannon has not figured out what to do with the 213-pounder.
He has played running back, switched to linebacker, and now he is back at running back where he is most comfortable. He has been an excellent contributor on special teams, and unfortunately the logjam at the position will force him to wait at least another year.
Lee Chambers and Damien Berry are the last two of the group.
Chambers is the fastest at the position and could be used this year at kick returner and also sometimes in the slot to utilize his speed. Berry is a recently converted safety who showed enough promise to make the change. He won't play much this season, but once he picks up the offense and progresses, he could be a dangerous member of the group.
Unfortunately for Shannon, his offense only allows for one, maybe two running backs in the game at the same time. His task this summer is to decide how to allocate all of this talent so that he can play the best players on offense.
While it may seem daunting, the coaching staff has already made some inroads in that regard. Shannon and Nix are like mad scientists as they concoct newer and more original ways to get all of their talented runners on the field. Look for Cooper and James to get most of the carries, with McNeal carrying some too as a change of pace, and Thomas if needed.
Chambers, Cooper, and James could all get playing time in the slot, as Nix has already hinted that the offense will have some plays designed to free up Cooper and James in the open field.
McNeal and Chambers should also be the primary kick returners along with Ryan Hill.
For a team that is rebuilding after a dismal 2007 campaign, and a coach that is looking to show progress in his second season under the helm, they can do much worse than start with an impressive collection of offensive talent in the backfield.
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