Happy Tuesday morning Cougar Nation! Hopefully all of you enjoyed Singles Awareness Day and are having a great start to your Tuesday. Yesterday Sean took a look at the Quarterbacks heading into Spring Ball, and here I am today to preview the Running Backs. I feel I have a bit of knowledge here as this time last year I took a look at the RBs as well. Stay tuned to the blog as in the next week or so, Tommy and Longball will weigh in with their own look at some other areas. Here we go…
Before we begin, a quick note: Per some conversations with Logwone Mitz at A Night With Cougar Football in Seattle, it sounds as though James Montgomery isn’t very interested in receiving his sixth year of eligibility. Monty was cited over the weekend for misdemeanormarijuana possession. Therefore I will not include him in my look at the position heading into spring football.
Known Quantities
Logwone Mitz: The Redshirt Senior out of Redmond High School is just a few yards shy of 1,000 hashes on 217 career touches. Mitz has shown flashes of ability over the past three seasons, but there is concern about his work ethic and hands. I for one have been a big fan of his and believe he has the ability to be a 1,000 yard rusher this upcoming season if the OLine improves. He is big and durable and I would think it is between him and Rickey Galvin at the top of the depth chart. Last year we saw a bit of a zone read out of the “Pistol Offense” with Mitz and Monty on opposite sides of Jeff Tuel. I thought this was when Mitz was at his best and it would be great to see some more of that with Logwone and one of the other RBs!
Carl Winston: Winston saw quite a bit of action as a true Freshmen in 2009, averaging just under 4 YPC on 39 touches. He came to Pullman rated the #111 RB in the land by Scout.com. In 2010, with the return of James Montgomery to the top of our depth chart, Winston had 28 touches for 90 yards. The small sample size isn’t enough to put him at the top or bottom of the depth chart, but I would like to see what he can do with a few more carries per game.
Jared Byers: The walk-on from Pullman High School never had the chance to make an impact for the Cougs as he was lost for the season on a nasty injury at Oklahoma State. Byers provided some fantastic blocking ability as appearing in the final five games of 2009 as an HB/FB, and had five catches for 45 yards out of the backfield.
Unknown Quantities
Rickey Galvin: The diminutive (5’8″, 165 lbs) RB out of Bezerkeley High School was pegged to be a difference maker in 2010, but was lost on his first collegiate carry after a nasty hit by an Okie State defender. From the limited knowledge I have on Galvin it is hard to make too many predictions about him. His high school coach has compared him to former Kansas State and current San Diego Charger Darren Sproles. I know special teams coach Dave Ungerer was gushing about Galvin’s potential in the return game. Galvin was one of seven Cougs listed in the 2010 East Bay Cream of the Crop. I would imagine Galvin is the biggest challenger for the #1 spot. The question is whether he is durable enough be an every down back in the Pac 12?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlzfxSEklzw&w=425&h=349]
Arthur Burns: The 5’11”, 215 lb back out of Junipero High School was the #60 rated RB coming out of high school in 2009. Burns has split time at RB and LB in his time at Wazzu and has two career carries for one yard. As of now, he has moved back to running back.
Final Thoughts
With the end of the line coming for Marcus Richmond and Chantz Staden, as well as the likely departure of James Montgomery, this position is WIDE OPEN for Spring Ball. Losing Adonis Smith to Northwestern late in the 2010 recruiting cycle, after we received a “commitment” from Bishop Sankey, really hurt what could have been some solid depth at this position. Smith ran for 196 yards on 41 touches (4.8 YPC) as the fifth leading rusher for the Wildcats in 2010. Furthermore, one time WSU commit Devontae Booker-Butler will be taking his talents to Fresno State after the Cougs asked him to go to a JUCO this upcoming season.
Look for Mitz to try and cement his place at the top of the depth chart this Spring, with a solid push from Galvin, Winston and Burns.
Have a great day, and Go Cougs!
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