University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: Spring Season Rewind: The Running Backs
4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Steven Bartolotta, April 15, 2010, 11:57 a.m.
Now that the spring is basically over (if the rain holds off, today is it) we thought we would dissect a few positions and who stood out during the spring and what to expect as we head forward into the fall camp, which need I remind you is less than four months away. We move to the offense again and talk RB's.
Spring Star- James Hamilton - Easy choice here as Hamilton is possibly my star of the entire spring for all positions. Hamilton had competition from others for the No. 2 spot behind Lance Dunbar but he erased any doubt about that heading into the fall camp with his spring. He's the back-up but not in the traditional sense. Hamilton is going to get on the field in a variety of ways, and not just as a RB. Mike Canales lined him up at the slot a few times in the spring and he is very good in the open field. Still though at only 5-8 it makes you wonder if he can take the punishment. He did deliver the hit of the spring when he went up the middle and steamrolled Daniel Prior in short yardage situations. I'm a big fan of his and want to see alot more of him in the fall.
Runner -Up - Lance Dunbar - I know it's hard to imagine Dunbar being runner-up to anyone right now, but for him this spring was about getting more familiar and comfortable with two things: the subtle changes in the offense and working with Nathan Tune and Derek Thompson at QB. Dunbar ripped off a couple of big runs during the scrimmages and looked just as good as he did five months ago. Best part for him this spring is he didn't get hurt.
Honorable Mention - Brandin Byrd - A freshman who graduated early from Copperas Cove and arrived in Denton for spring ball. Put on an impressive showing for a kid straight from high school. He was bigger than I thought and yet still had breakaway speed. In one practice, he broke off a big run and it was just him and a defender between the end zone, Byrd tapped the brakes with a stutter step, and then was gone. I thought that move only worked in Madden, but I guess not.
Fast Forward To The Fall - Dunbar is the No. 1 back and with the O-line he's going to be running behind, the number 1,801 could be in danger of falling. Just how Canales will use Dunbar will be interesting. It's easy to see him getting 20 carries a game, but it's also possible to see him with five catches or more a contest. Hamilton is the No. 2 and with Micah Mosley the new H/U-back, that leaves Jeremi Mathis and Brandin Byrd in the backfield. Mathis is your short-yardage guy but I can also see him sliding down to the H/U-back position before too long. If there is a position to feel really good about after the spring and heading into the fall, this is it.
