Author George Will once wrote of the game of football, "It is committee meetings, called huddles, separated by outbursts of violence."
For the Ohio football team, next fall could see an extension of those committee meetings, from the huddle into the backfield. With graduated running back Chad Brinker eyeing the National Football League, the Bobcats enter spring practice with a question mark at the position he held since 1999.
Running backs coach Everette Sands said fans could expect a group of players to contribute to the Bobcat rushing attack next fall.
"I think right now it will be more of a backfield by committee," Sands said. "Things might change this spring, but right now we don't have one guy that is saying 'Yes, I'm the man.'"
The competition has already started at each position. At running back, Sands mentioned a variety of names.
"Ray Huston is a big back, about 6 (feet) 1 inch, 215 (pounds) with great speed," Sands said. "He's just as fast as Brinker if not faster.
"Chris Jackson is a young man with great speed, quick bursts, and he has great hands. Another young man who has been a solid player for us in the past, and will be a solid player for us again this year, is Stafford Owens."
Jackson, a freshman from Seale, Al., said spring practices, which started last Saturday, have been intense.
"The competition is at a high level," Jackson said. "We're going to keep picking up the intensity as practice goes on."
Huston, a sophomore that spent time at fullback last season, said he is looking forward to his chance to compete for a starting spot.
"I think I have as good a chance as anyone," Huston said. "I played a lot last year, but during spring ball nobody has a set position so we're all competing for a spot. I guess we'll find out a lot more after this spring."
At fullback, Sands said two players have distinguished themselves.
"At fullback, we have Brad Young and Phil Fountain - both of them are big backs," Sands said. "We're looking for both of them to be power backs and really contribute between the tackles."
Sands said he likes the competition among the guys and thinks his committee will do some quality work on the field.
"They're fighting right now," Sands said. "They know that everyday they're going out and trying to win the job. As long as things keep getting better everyday at practice, we have an opportunity to have a very good backfield."
A week into spring practice, Huston said he is enjoying the competition so far and is interested to see how it will all shake out.
"Practice is going really well," Huston said. "We've got a really talented group of running backs back here, and I'm excited just to see who's going to be in the top three and will get the snaps."
17 Archives
Homer Dawson
