Post by Patrick on Aug 13, 2019 18:40:29 GMT
nsudemons.com/news/2019/8/12/demon-football-veteran-running-back-group-fitting-pieces-in-the-puzzle.aspx?path=football
As one of the mainstays of the Northwestern State football roster, fifth-year senior running back Jared West looks around this year's edition of fall camp and sees a lot of new faces.
The ones in his meeting room, however, remain virtually unchanged, but while the faces remain unchanged, the skill sets of the Demons running backs have matured and produced a much deeper crop of ball carriers.
"There's a lot more competition," second-year running backs coach Gerald Howse said. "I tell them, 'You're getting an interview every day.' Like (head) coach (Brad) Laird said, we're looking for consistency. What can you do day in and day out? Can you be consistent from Day 1 to the end of camp? That's what we're emphasizing this year."
West ran for 735 yards in his first season as the Demons' top back, a total that was 390 more than what he produced in his first two seasons combined.
It was away from the field where West said he grew the most in his final collegiate offseason.
"I felt my leadership skills had to increase," said West, one of seven Demons seniors who already have completed their undergraduate degrees. "That was the main thing coach Laird and coach Howse talked to me about – being more vocal, being there for the younger guys and making sure everyone is in line."
Howse said he has seen the byproduct of West's growth, along with that of junior Stadford Anderson.
"Those guys bring energy every day," Howse said. "They're like having another coach out there. They've done a great job of focusing on doing the little things, approaching it like two veterans."
Anderson saw his workload increase by 34 carries to 86 as a sophomore and grabbed five more passes than he did in his freshman season. A product of Baton Rouge's Glen Oaks High School, Anderson saved the best statistical game of his career for the season finale at Stephen F. Austin.
Anderson established career highs in carries (19) and yards (88) and added the first touchdown in the Demons' 35-23 victory, a win that capped a run of three victories in the final four games of 2018. Despite the eight months that have passed since that day, Anderson said he expects to see some carryover from his performance.
"I'm a lot more comfortable, understanding what's going on and what the coaches are looking for," he said. "I'm learning what I can do, what I do better, as I get older. I'm learning how to be a better running back, working on pass blocking, using my hands, just maturing as I get older."
Da'Von Smith was a productive third-down option for the Demons in his debut season of 2018. In addition to Smith, who averaged 10.6 yards per catch on five receptions, a position change landed Howse's group another potential pass-catching weapon out of the backfield.
Redshirt freshman Curtis Williams Jr. moved to running back from wide receiver and flashed his pass-catching ability in Saturday's first scrimmage of fall camp, hauling in a 27-yard touchdown pass among his four catches. Sophomore Trevor Morgan tallied the most carries among running backs in Saturday's scrimmage, further showcasing the Demons' depth at the position.
"It's great to see everybody blossoming into different pieces to put into one big puzzle," West said. "Curtis brings the receiver element. Stadford is a downhill, bruising back. Da'Von is the wild card. He does a little of everything. I can come in and bring leadership. Just seeing the growth in our room is amazing."
As one of the mainstays of the Northwestern State football roster, fifth-year senior running back Jared West looks around this year's edition of fall camp and sees a lot of new faces.
The ones in his meeting room, however, remain virtually unchanged, but while the faces remain unchanged, the skill sets of the Demons running backs have matured and produced a much deeper crop of ball carriers.
"There's a lot more competition," second-year running backs coach Gerald Howse said. "I tell them, 'You're getting an interview every day.' Like (head) coach (Brad) Laird said, we're looking for consistency. What can you do day in and day out? Can you be consistent from Day 1 to the end of camp? That's what we're emphasizing this year."
West ran for 735 yards in his first season as the Demons' top back, a total that was 390 more than what he produced in his first two seasons combined.
It was away from the field where West said he grew the most in his final collegiate offseason.
"I felt my leadership skills had to increase," said West, one of seven Demons seniors who already have completed their undergraduate degrees. "That was the main thing coach Laird and coach Howse talked to me about – being more vocal, being there for the younger guys and making sure everyone is in line."
Howse said he has seen the byproduct of West's growth, along with that of junior Stadford Anderson.
"Those guys bring energy every day," Howse said. "They're like having another coach out there. They've done a great job of focusing on doing the little things, approaching it like two veterans."
Anderson saw his workload increase by 34 carries to 86 as a sophomore and grabbed five more passes than he did in his freshman season. A product of Baton Rouge's Glen Oaks High School, Anderson saved the best statistical game of his career for the season finale at Stephen F. Austin.
Anderson established career highs in carries (19) and yards (88) and added the first touchdown in the Demons' 35-23 victory, a win that capped a run of three victories in the final four games of 2018. Despite the eight months that have passed since that day, Anderson said he expects to see some carryover from his performance.
"I'm a lot more comfortable, understanding what's going on and what the coaches are looking for," he said. "I'm learning what I can do, what I do better, as I get older. I'm learning how to be a better running back, working on pass blocking, using my hands, just maturing as I get older."
Da'Von Smith was a productive third-down option for the Demons in his debut season of 2018. In addition to Smith, who averaged 10.6 yards per catch on five receptions, a position change landed Howse's group another potential pass-catching weapon out of the backfield.
Redshirt freshman Curtis Williams Jr. moved to running back from wide receiver and flashed his pass-catching ability in Saturday's first scrimmage of fall camp, hauling in a 27-yard touchdown pass among his four catches. Sophomore Trevor Morgan tallied the most carries among running backs in Saturday's scrimmage, further showcasing the Demons' depth at the position.
"It's great to see everybody blossoming into different pieces to put into one big puzzle," West said. "Curtis brings the receiver element. Stadford is a downhill, bruising back. Da'Von is the wild card. He does a little of everything. I can come in and bring leadership. Just seeing the growth in our room is amazing."