Post by purplestorm on Aug 13, 2015 23:07:13 GMT
This is a somewhat enigmatic position for us this year. Normally we have that "go-to" guy, be it a complete runner with speed and size or a bulldozer like we had last year or the speed demon, pardon the pun, that can flat-out fly. However, we have no Sidney Thornton, Mario Cage, Joe Delaney, John Stephens, Clarence Matthews, Ronnie Powell, Tony Taylor, Derrick Johnese, Shelton Sampson, Byron Lawrence and Garrett Atzenweiler types on the roster this season. I'm sure I forgot some names, but those are the one's that stuck out while I was typing. BTW, half of those names spent at least a year in the pros. In 2015, we have the depth, but do we have "that" guy? Well, we have three guys that could be "that" guy or hopefully "those" guys:
Daniel Taylor -- 5'9"-160lbs -- Senior -- LA
Demard Llorens -- 5'9"-210lbs -- Junior -- LA
Chris Jones -- 5'9"-190lbs -- Junior -- MS
Now, Taylor is the leader based on experience, but he had a so-so year last year, so hopefully he will get on track again. He's very fast and would be a huge asset as a productive senior. Llorens is a local kid who has put on about 15-plus pounds in the off-season and looks to be taking his role very seriously. He and Taylor are both very good at catching passes out of the backfield, as well. Then we come to Chris Jones who some call a smaller version of Emmitt Smith. The kid is unreal on tape. Look him up! He played at SW Miss JUCO. Now, can he take that JUCO talent and make it work in Division I? We'll see, but if he does, that gives us three potential studs at RB this season.
Another name that will be in the mix:
Matt Flores -- 5'8"-180lbs -- Junior -- LA -- Highly touted out of high school, Flores could be the final piece to the RB puzzle as he spells the aforementioned players from time to time. Flores' size will never allow him to play on the next level, but he has a huge heart and he's a leader and we need him in the mix.
The young guys:
Ronald Green -- 6'1"-200lbs -- Sophomore -- LA -- redshirting this year to focus on academics. He was thrown to the Lions as a true freshman and needs this year to further develop as a well-rounded student-athlete.
Nigel Dora -- 5'10"-190lbs -- Freshman -- LA -- Dora is a name we'll hear in the future along with Green and the next guy I'm about to talk about, Jared West.
Jared West -- 5'10"-200lbs -- Freshman -- LA -- This young man, along with Green and Dora, gives us hope for the future at RB. He's the real deal. No, he's not the fastest guy in the world, but he can flat-out tote the rock.
Hunter Bedgood -- 5'7"- 190lbs -- Freshman -- LA -- Local kid and could develop into a difference maker in a couple years.
*As always, the heights and weights of the players are within one inch and five to ten pounds.
*Nick Forde is listed as a RB on the official roster, but he's a safety as far as I know. I could be wrong.
Daniel Taylor -- 5'9"-160lbs -- Senior -- LA
Demard Llorens -- 5'9"-210lbs -- Junior -- LA
Chris Jones -- 5'9"-190lbs -- Junior -- MS
Now, Taylor is the leader based on experience, but he had a so-so year last year, so hopefully he will get on track again. He's very fast and would be a huge asset as a productive senior. Llorens is a local kid who has put on about 15-plus pounds in the off-season and looks to be taking his role very seriously. He and Taylor are both very good at catching passes out of the backfield, as well. Then we come to Chris Jones who some call a smaller version of Emmitt Smith. The kid is unreal on tape. Look him up! He played at SW Miss JUCO. Now, can he take that JUCO talent and make it work in Division I? We'll see, but if he does, that gives us three potential studs at RB this season.
Another name that will be in the mix:
Matt Flores -- 5'8"-180lbs -- Junior -- LA -- Highly touted out of high school, Flores could be the final piece to the RB puzzle as he spells the aforementioned players from time to time. Flores' size will never allow him to play on the next level, but he has a huge heart and he's a leader and we need him in the mix.
The young guys:
Ronald Green -- 6'1"-200lbs -- Sophomore -- LA -- redshirting this year to focus on academics. He was thrown to the Lions as a true freshman and needs this year to further develop as a well-rounded student-athlete.
Nigel Dora -- 5'10"-190lbs -- Freshman -- LA -- Dora is a name we'll hear in the future along with Green and the next guy I'm about to talk about, Jared West.
Jared West -- 5'10"-200lbs -- Freshman -- LA -- This young man, along with Green and Dora, gives us hope for the future at RB. He's the real deal. No, he's not the fastest guy in the world, but he can flat-out tote the rock.
Hunter Bedgood -- 5'7"- 190lbs -- Freshman -- LA -- Local kid and could develop into a difference maker in a couple years.
*As always, the heights and weights of the players are within one inch and five to ten pounds.
*Nick Forde is listed as a RB on the official roster, but he's a safety as far as I know. I could be wrong.