Toledo is Loaded at Running Back in 2014
8/21/2014 6:53:00 PM | Football
This is third in a series of articles looking at the Rockets by position in 2014.
TOLEDO, OH - One of the most productive running backs in Toledo history is gone, but head coach Matt Campbell and the Rockets aren't fretting. Two-time All-MAC standout David Fluellen is now pursuing his professional football career, while the Rockets are searching for their next running back. Or running backs. Campbell has a veritable stable of young backs to choose from.
"We are very blessed at the running back position," said Campbell. "We have three or four guys we would be very comfortable putting out there."
The top candidate would appear to be sophomore Kareem Hunt. Hunt rushed for 866 yards and six touchdowns last season, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He stepped in when Fluellen got hurt, rushing for over 100 yards in five of Toledo's final six games.
"Kareem is a complete back," said Campbell. "He can run, catch the ball and block, all at a high level. He just needs to get bigger, stronger and faster. If he does that, he could really make an impact here."
Competing with Hunt are fellow sophomores Damion Jones-Moore and Marc Remy, along with senior Ricky Pringle.
At 5-foot-7, Jones-Moore is a pint-sized speedster who showed tremendous potential last year. He rushed for 267 yards and five TDs as a freshman, averaging an eye-popping 7.2 yards per carry. Remy was called upon in last year's season finale vs. Akron and came through with a 103-yard effort. Pringle, a walk-on, rushed for over 50 yards in back-to-back games vs. Eastern Michigan and Buffalo last season.
Said Campbell, "Our running backs are still young, so we are still trying to learn more about them. But their upside potential is very exciting."
Not to be overlooked is the contribution of senior fullback Zac Rosenbauer, tabbed by Campbell as the "unsung hero" of Toledo's running game. Rosenbauer carried the ball just three times in 2013, but was very effective as a blocker in short-yardage situations.
- A Closer Look at Offensive Line
- A Closer Look at Wide Receiver & Tight End
