Football Position Preview: Running Backs

Tell us what you've seen from the guys in your room that you have liked so far. 
The consistency that they are learning the offense with, and their willingness to get better every day at practice. When they have to fix something, they fix it right then. They are upbeat, and I don't have to wait until after practice to try to correct things. They understand that I'm trying to get them better. They don't get enough praise from me, but they know that I have their back. 
 
What is the biggest strength of the running back room right now? 
Depth. We have seven guys in there that can get in the game and function well for us. We are going to need everyone in the room. We don't have a huge drop-off from one guy to the next, and we are going to be competitive at that position. We are only as good as our fifth and sixth-string guys. They have done a great job picking up the offense and helping each other out, and they are consistent in the details. We have a "next guy up" mentality, and we take care of each other. They each understand how they fit into the group. 
 
Let's talk about your returners. What have you seen so far from that group? 
Ant[hony Smith] is probably the most consistent so far, and he's lost 10 or 15 pounds since the spring. He is explosive, and he has gotten a lot faster. He is making the runs he wasn't making in the spring, and it's been awesome to see. Tyrese [White] is a fast, explosive back. He overthinks sometimes, but that's where his speed takes over. He just has to be patient, but he is getting a lot better. [Jermiah] Dobbins can catch out of the backfield, and he has gotten better the last couple of practices. I'd expect to see that continue as we get closer to the season. [Kendall] Jimerson is getting confident in his abilities, and he's done everything I've asked him to do so far. 
 
What about the newcomers? 
[Xavier] Wishert is a great guy to have in the room, and he's a bigger back. He's savvy, and he understands what the backfield is supposed to look like. He has embraced his role and is doing a great job of lighting up our running back room. Rovaughn [Banks Jr.] has track speed, and he has done a great job of learning our offense. He has put on a few pounds of muscle, and he is going to be a huge part of some explosive plays. Malachi [Medlock] is a huge running back who ran downhill in high school, so we want him to do the same thing here. 
 
What is something you are telling your guys every day? 
"Lock in." We can let the defensive guys be a little bit more rah-rah, but offensively, we have to be more cognitive in the scheme of what we are trying to do. You have to be physical and know what's going on. It started as "APB – all-purpose back", but this camp season, I wanted them to focus a little more on the details of what we're trying to do. 
  
Who is the fastest guy in the room? 
It's got to be Rovaughn. He'll take a five-yard play and turn it into 60 in a hurry.
 
Best pass blocker?
Ant. We've even been using him as a personal protector on punts, and he's done a great job embracing that type of role.  
 
Best pass catcher? 
That's probably Ant, too, but he and Rovaughn are right there neck and neck. Dobbins has picked it up a bit, and Wishert hasn't dropped a ball yet. 
 
What can fans expect to see from the running backs this fall? 
Running backs will be a huge part of our offense, and we are going to take what the defense gives us. If the other team packs the box, we have to throw out of that, but if they want to drop back, we have to be able to make them pay for those coverages. We want to come out and be physical, and we have a chance to be the most solid group fundamentally on the offense. They are going to be able to count on us, and we are going to hold ourselves accountable. I'm not going to take out the hot hand out of the game, but each of our guys will be ready when their number is called. 
 
What will be considered a success for this group as ACU enters its second season in the WAC?
How well we do our job as far as assignment, alignment and technique. We are going to have some successful plays, but there are going to be times when we do the same things and don't have success. I want our backs be physical and to see our mentality be where it needs to be as a group. 
 
What are some goals you and your guys have for this fall? 
We want to be the most physical group on the field, be able to catch out of the backfield, and we want don't want to be the reason a play is busted. Most importantly, we are going to protect the football. That has to be our main priority. 
 
As somebody who has played at ACU, what are you most looking forward to in your first year of college coaching? 
The atmosphere. I've been at Abilene High for four years, and we always come to watch the Wildcats on Saturdays. It's going to be totally different on the field and in the stadium. We have invested so much in these guys since January. Feeling the excitement when we come out of the tunnel is going to have a different feel.