Will Dom Brown Be Louisville’s Next Elite Running Back?

It’s no secret that Louisville Football Head Coach Charlie Strong prefers a system that has one feature running back.  Strong has made that statement publicly a number of times.  Entering the 2011 season many thought the possibility was there with Vic Anderson or maybe even Jeremy Wright.  I know that on tweets, in articles and even on the radio show I even mentioned that I thought Jeremy Wright would eclipse Vic Anderson and would become that guy.  Not so much.  In fact, Wright had fewer carries than Vic and quarterback turned running back Dominique Brown.

Brown entered the 2011 season listed at Quarterback, but eventually made the switch to Running Back during the Kentucky game.  Not only did the sophomore seem to be athletic enough to share snaps with Wright and Anderson, but by seasons end he had a team leading 140 carries and tied for a team leading four touchdowns from the running back position.  Out of nowhere.  There was never any question that he could run the ball as we saw him do that plenty out of the WildCard formation.  But I don’t think anyone expected Dom to be as successful as he was.

Now, give him an off season under the tutelage of Running Backs coach Kenny Carter.  Give him a playbook designed by a ‘settled in’ Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson.  Then, give the guy an additional 10 pounds of solid muscle added to his already Linebacker type build.  Given those tools can Dom Brown become that feature guy for Charlie Strong?  It’s hard to say and only time will tell.  I expect Jeremy Wright, Corvin Lamb, Senorise Perry, Jarel McGriff-Culver and true freshman Brandon Radcliff will do everything they can to obtain that title themselves.  Needless to say, it should be a hell of a battle.  If Coach Strong doesn’t get that feature back he would like to have, it won’t be because of not one guy standing out.  It will be a product of just having entirely too much talent in the backfield to keep them down.  It’s gonna’ be real fun, real soon.