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Look back one year ago today: running back was one of the thinnest positions on the team. Nobody on the roster had proven themselves, aside from Mark Walton. Coach Richt even went on Twitter and publically announced Miami was looking for a graduate transfer running back. Oh, what a difference a year makes.
Having so much great talent at one position group leads to an increased level of competition. While the running back competition will not get as much attention as the QB competition, every position is up for grabs. Whoever is the starter at the end of spring camp will have beaten out other very talented players. Iron sharpens iron, and Miami has a lot of iron swords.
One of the main reasons for the increased competitiveness of the running backs room is Lorenzo Lingard. Bringing in one of the best ball carriers in the country tends to improve your running back room. Lingard is listed at 6’0, 190 lbs and is only going to get bigger and stronger in the Miami strength and conditioning program. He was a state champion in the 110 meter hurdles in high school and you can see that speed in his highlight tape. Lingard will have plenty of playing time next year and, with a strong spring and fall camp, he will push Travis Homer for playing time.
While Lorenzo Lingard is getting a lot of hype, and deservingly so, let’s not forget who stepped up big for Miami last year when Mark Walton went down. Travis Homer is a baller and nobody is going to pass him on the depth chart without a fight. Homer showed his breakaway speed and big play ability last season. He is also really good at catching the ball out of the backfield. He is not the biggest guy at 5’11, 195 lbs, but he can deliver a hit. Whether Lingard or Homer is the starter next season, Miami will be in great hands.
If you want to pull any positive out of the Mark Walton injury, it spurred Coach Richt and Coach Brown to move Deejay Dallas to the running back spot, as he started the season as a receiver. Moving to running back allowed Dallas to have a great second half of the season. Aside from just backing up Homer, Dallas added a new dimension to the offense. Dallas running the wildcat was one of the most successful plays in Miami’s ****nal. Dallas, both in spring ball and in 2018, will get playing time in both the back field, as well as the slot. Look for Miami to try out some creative ways to get Dallas the ball during spring football.
Robert Burns will be one of the more intriguing players to watch during spring football. Burns has been dealing with injuries since his junior season of high school. Burns, when healthy, was a beast on the field. He is 5’11, 215 lbs and runs angry. If he is able to get healthy, Burns will be a quality back. He could prove especially useful in short yard situations and has reportedly been tried a bit at fullback. The only problem is, getting Burns healthy is a big if.
Trayone Gray is entering his final season as a Miami Hurricane. Players entering their last season tend to work harder knowing that this is their last shot. Gray is one of the last few members of the Class of 2014. As a freshman, Gray had some academic issues and was not able to enroll until the end of the summer. Gray’s troubled career has not amounted to much yet, totalling just 36 carries and 221 yards. Gray will try to push for playing time in a very talented running back room. Trayone will add to the depth at the running back position. If he wants to do any more that just that, he has his work cut out for him.
The running back room will be one of the best position groups on the team during spring football. It will be interesting to see who splits time with the first team during the scrimmages and spring game. All in all, this running back corps is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Having so much great talent at one position group leads to an increased level of competition. While the running back competition will not get as much attention as the QB competition, every position is up for grabs. Whoever is the starter at the end of spring camp will have beaten out other very talented players. Iron sharpens iron, and Miami has a lot of iron swords.
One of the main reasons for the increased competitiveness of the running backs room is Lorenzo Lingard. Bringing in one of the best ball carriers in the country tends to improve your running back room. Lingard is listed at 6’0, 190 lbs and is only going to get bigger and stronger in the Miami strength and conditioning program. He was a state champion in the 110 meter hurdles in high school and you can see that speed in his highlight tape. Lingard will have plenty of playing time next year and, with a strong spring and fall camp, he will push Travis Homer for playing time.
While Lorenzo Lingard is getting a lot of hype, and deservingly so, let’s not forget who stepped up big for Miami last year when Mark Walton went down. Travis Homer is a baller and nobody is going to pass him on the depth chart without a fight. Homer showed his breakaway speed and big play ability last season. He is also really good at catching the ball out of the backfield. He is not the biggest guy at 5’11, 195 lbs, but he can deliver a hit. Whether Lingard or Homer is the starter next season, Miami will be in great hands.
If you want to pull any positive out of the Mark Walton injury, it spurred Coach Richt and Coach Brown to move Deejay Dallas to the running back spot, as he started the season as a receiver. Moving to running back allowed Dallas to have a great second half of the season. Aside from just backing up Homer, Dallas added a new dimension to the offense. Dallas running the wildcat was one of the most successful plays in Miami’s ****nal. Dallas, both in spring ball and in 2018, will get playing time in both the back field, as well as the slot. Look for Miami to try out some creative ways to get Dallas the ball during spring football.
Robert Burns will be one of the more intriguing players to watch during spring football. Burns has been dealing with injuries since his junior season of high school. Burns, when healthy, was a beast on the field. He is 5’11, 215 lbs and runs angry. If he is able to get healthy, Burns will be a quality back. He could prove especially useful in short yard situations and has reportedly been tried a bit at fullback. The only problem is, getting Burns healthy is a big if.
Trayone Gray is entering his final season as a Miami Hurricane. Players entering their last season tend to work harder knowing that this is their last shot. Gray is one of the last few members of the Class of 2014. As a freshman, Gray had some academic issues and was not able to enroll until the end of the summer. Gray’s troubled career has not amounted to much yet, totalling just 36 carries and 221 yards. Gray will try to push for playing time in a very talented running back room. Trayone will add to the depth at the running back position. If he wants to do any more that just that, he has his work cut out for him.
The running back room will be one of the best position groups on the team during spring football. It will be interesting to see who splits time with the first team during the scrimmages and spring game. All in all, this running back corps is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
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