Flames Position Previews: Running Backs
8/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
In today's Flames Position Preview, LibertyFlames.com takes a look at Liberty's running backs, as part of the web site's Countdown to Kickoff coverage, leading up to the squad's season opener against West Virginia on Sept. 5.
Running backs have been some of the most offensively productive players for the Flames over the past decade, including last year's record-setting play by Rashad Jennings. During today's preview, we will take a look at the next generation of players looking to carry forth a legacy established by such players as Jennings, Zach Terrell, Dre Barnes and Sam Gado.
Running Backs/Fullbacks
The name Liberty Football has become synonymous with rushing, as the Flames have ranked among the FCS ranks' Top 30 in the statistical category six out of the last seven years. Last season, Liberty posted its second-highest team rushing total in program history with 2,562 yards, while ranking No. 13 nationally in rushing average (213.5).
All but 526 yards out of the Flames' 2008 total is no longer with the program (20.5 percent remaining). Most of the lost yardage came from Jennings' star-studded season, one in which he rushed his way to a seventh-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Also lost was four-year starter Zach Terrell, who was used in a variety of roles during his stay on Liberty Mountain. He rushed for 2,479 career yards and 29 touchdowns, while also completing 25-of-40 pass attempts for 297 yards.
Rocco knows that the quarterbacking position is not the only place he needs to retool. "I think one of the most interesting positions on our team right now is the running back position," commented Rocco.
"Having lost Rashad and Zach, who were two outstanding players in our program, we don't have the guy in place right now who is a proven commodity. We don't have the guy who has gone out there and gained the yards on Saturday afternoons in the past, but we do have a very deep pool of talent to choose from."
Leading the way amongst the unproven clan is Danny Broggin, who came out of spring practice as the Flames' starter at tailback. Broggin rushed for 75 yards on 19 carries in 10 games during the 2008 season.
"Danny Broggin finished spring ball as the starter," stated Rocco. "He certainly will play a key role for us offensively this year, as we get started with the season."
Rocco had B.J. Hayes split his time during spring practice between the Flames' backfield and with the wide receivers. Last year, the redshirt sophomore ranked third on the team by rushing for 194 yards on 18 carries, while catching 17 passes for 189 yards.
"B.J. Hayes played a lot for us last year as a slot receiver," commented Rocco. "We have looked at B.J. in the backfield, as he has shown some outstanding skills back there in the backfield, both as a ball carrier and as a receiver."
"I can see this pair being the two most prominent ball carriers for us, but we really do have a lot of young talent in the program."
The depth that Rocco speaks of can be found in players who have been with the program, like Terron Lawrence and Alfonso Wells, and in some fresh faces, like Chase Barnett and SirChauncey Holloway.
"SirChauncey Holloway is a young man who joined our program last January, as a true freshman out of Florida," said Rocco. "He has a very bright and promising future for us and I think he will have a chance to contribute this year. Chase Barnett is another in-state running back, who I think will be competing for playing time in the backfield."
Much like the quarterbacking position, the August practices leading up to the Flames' Sept. 5 opener against West Virginia are going to be key to determining the starting outcome in Liberty's backfield.
"Although we don't have the senior depth back there, we have a lot of guys to look at during this training camp," commented Rocco. "We have a lot of young players who should be able to adopt different roles. This is probably a year for us where the backfield will be done by committee instead of being a one or two-headed monster, like it was the last couple of years."
Although the tailback position will see many battles during August, the fullback paving the way for the newest Liberty star running back is set, as Derek Bishop returns to fill the unsung hero role.
"Derek is just a really solid player for us and he had an outstanding spring and summer," remarked Rocco about his returning starter. "He is as far along as he has ever been in terms of his ability to do multiple roles in our offense. He was predominately a blocker for Rashad the last couple of years, but he has shown the ability to catch the ball and run the ball inside. We are really expecting good things from Bishop."
Running Backs/Fullbacks at a Glance
Front Runners
Tailback
Danny Broggin (R-Jr., 6-0, 195)
B.J. Hayes (R-So., 5-9, 185)
Fullback
Derek Bishop (Sr., 5-10, 225)
Contenders
Chase Barnett (Fr., 5-8, 175)
SirChauncey Holloway (Fr., 5-8, 190)
Mark Malvaso (FB) (R-Sr., 6-0, 225)
Terron Lawrence (R-Sr., 5-7, 175)
Alfonso Wells (R-Jr., 5-10, 195)
Up-and-Comers
Aldreakis Allen (Fr., 6-0, 210)
Irwin Coleman (R-Fr., 5-9, 190)
Korey Davis (So., 5-10, 185)
Kevin Fogg (Fr., 5-10, 175)
Following a day off from the field today for rest, the Flames will return to practice tomorrow afternoon at 2:20 p.m., at Williams Stadium. The two-plus hour afternoon workout will begin Liberty's final week of preseason training camp.
Tomorrow, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage will take a look at another of the Flames Big South foes in Gardner-Webb. Liberty has wrapped up its past two Big South titles against the Bulldogs and only time will tell how the Flames road match in Boiling Springs, N.C., on Nov. 14 will be remembered.
Running backs have been some of the most offensively productive players for the Flames over the past decade, including last year's record-setting play by Rashad Jennings. During today's preview, we will take a look at the next generation of players looking to carry forth a legacy established by such players as Jennings, Zach Terrell, Dre Barnes and Sam Gado.
Running Backs/Fullbacks
The name Liberty Football has become synonymous with rushing, as the Flames have ranked among the FCS ranks' Top 30 in the statistical category six out of the last seven years. Last season, Liberty posted its second-highest team rushing total in program history with 2,562 yards, while ranking No. 13 nationally in rushing average (213.5).
All but 526 yards out of the Flames' 2008 total is no longer with the program (20.5 percent remaining). Most of the lost yardage came from Jennings' star-studded season, one in which he rushed his way to a seventh-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Also lost was four-year starter Zach Terrell, who was used in a variety of roles during his stay on Liberty Mountain. He rushed for 2,479 career yards and 29 touchdowns, while also completing 25-of-40 pass attempts for 297 yards.
Rocco knows that the quarterbacking position is not the only place he needs to retool. "I think one of the most interesting positions on our team right now is the running back position," commented Rocco.
"Having lost Rashad and Zach, who were two outstanding players in our program, we don't have the guy in place right now who is a proven commodity. We don't have the guy who has gone out there and gained the yards on Saturday afternoons in the past, but we do have a very deep pool of talent to choose from."
Leading the way amongst the unproven clan is Danny Broggin, who came out of spring practice as the Flames' starter at tailback. Broggin rushed for 75 yards on 19 carries in 10 games during the 2008 season.
"Danny Broggin finished spring ball as the starter," stated Rocco. "He certainly will play a key role for us offensively this year, as we get started with the season."
Rocco had B.J. Hayes split his time during spring practice between the Flames' backfield and with the wide receivers. Last year, the redshirt sophomore ranked third on the team by rushing for 194 yards on 18 carries, while catching 17 passes for 189 yards.
"B.J. Hayes played a lot for us last year as a slot receiver," commented Rocco. "We have looked at B.J. in the backfield, as he has shown some outstanding skills back there in the backfield, both as a ball carrier and as a receiver."
"I can see this pair being the two most prominent ball carriers for us, but we really do have a lot of young talent in the program."
The depth that Rocco speaks of can be found in players who have been with the program, like Terron Lawrence and Alfonso Wells, and in some fresh faces, like Chase Barnett and SirChauncey Holloway.
"SirChauncey Holloway is a young man who joined our program last January, as a true freshman out of Florida," said Rocco. "He has a very bright and promising future for us and I think he will have a chance to contribute this year. Chase Barnett is another in-state running back, who I think will be competing for playing time in the backfield."
Much like the quarterbacking position, the August practices leading up to the Flames' Sept. 5 opener against West Virginia are going to be key to determining the starting outcome in Liberty's backfield.
"Although we don't have the senior depth back there, we have a lot of guys to look at during this training camp," commented Rocco. "We have a lot of young players who should be able to adopt different roles. This is probably a year for us where the backfield will be done by committee instead of being a one or two-headed monster, like it was the last couple of years."
Although the tailback position will see many battles during August, the fullback paving the way for the newest Liberty star running back is set, as Derek Bishop returns to fill the unsung hero role.
"Derek is just a really solid player for us and he had an outstanding spring and summer," remarked Rocco about his returning starter. "He is as far along as he has ever been in terms of his ability to do multiple roles in our offense. He was predominately a blocker for Rashad the last couple of years, but he has shown the ability to catch the ball and run the ball inside. We are really expecting good things from Bishop."
Running Backs/Fullbacks at a Glance
Front Runners
Tailback
Danny Broggin (R-Jr., 6-0, 195)
B.J. Hayes (R-So., 5-9, 185)
Fullback
Derek Bishop (Sr., 5-10, 225)
Contenders
Chase Barnett (Fr., 5-8, 175)
SirChauncey Holloway (Fr., 5-8, 190)
Mark Malvaso (FB) (R-Sr., 6-0, 225)
Terron Lawrence (R-Sr., 5-7, 175)
Alfonso Wells (R-Jr., 5-10, 195)
Up-and-Comers
Aldreakis Allen (Fr., 6-0, 210)
Irwin Coleman (R-Fr., 5-9, 190)
Korey Davis (So., 5-10, 185)
Kevin Fogg (Fr., 5-10, 175)
Following a day off from the field today for rest, the Flames will return to practice tomorrow afternoon at 2:20 p.m., at Williams Stadium. The two-plus hour afternoon workout will begin Liberty's final week of preseason training camp.
Tomorrow, LibertyFlames.com's Countdown to Kickoff coverage will take a look at another of the Flames Big South foes in Gardner-Webb. Liberty has wrapped up its past two Big South titles against the Bulldogs and only time will tell how the Flames road match in Boiling Springs, N.C., on Nov. 14 will be remembered.
Get To Know Liberty Quarterback Deshawn Purdie
Wednesday, May 13
Get To Know Liberty Running Back Jaylon Coleman
Thursday, May 07
Get To Know Liberty Defensive End Michael Floyde
Thursday, April 30
Get To Know Liberty Linebacker Deuce Spurlock
Friday, April 24