Position Breakdown: Running Backs

Returning Players

Dominique Brown, Jeremy Wright, Senorise Perry & Jarel McGrif-Culver. There is a lot of pre-season talk surrounding Dominique Brown; quarterback turned running back. The hype is there and for good reason. I still wouldn’t count out any of the other guys on that list or some of the newcomers. Jeremy Wright is a guy who some, including myself, thought would/could be a breakout guy last season and it just never happened. Some of in part to Dom Browns emergence and Vic Anderson’s experience. As far as Senorise Perry goes, I’ll get to him later. With McGrif-Culver you will hear a lot of people say, “who?” The redshirt sophomore will have a tough time finding the field in this stable but he did show some good things throughout the spring.

Newcomers

Corvin Lamb (Reshirt Freshman) and Brandon Radcliff (True Freshman). Corvin Lamb is a very crafty & speedy back that can be elusive and very dangerous in the open field. Corvin is likely the fastest in the backfield and maybe on the team. Brandon Radcliff is no pushover as a true freshman. With the very talented backs Louisville has, don’t be surprised to see him pick up a redshirt. If he does find a way to make it on the field you will definitely know he is there. As a power back in a small package, Brandon is probably the hardest running back on the team to bring down. At 5′-9″ 220lbs he packs a mean punch and you don’t want to be on the other side of him and especially if he gets a good burst under him.

Player To Watch

Without question this is Senorise Perry. While spending 2010 only getting minutes at special teams, he emerged in 2011 as one of the most valuable special teams players on the team and showed some good signs with limited time in the backfield. During the 2011 season it seemed like every time Senorise touched the ball it became a big play whether it be on special teams or during that small time in the backfield. Perry probably made the biggest impression on me during spring ball. I’m not saying he is the best back in the unit, but he very well may be the most dangerous because you just might not see him coming. Although it can sometimes be deceptive, Perry is another one of the fastest athletes on the team.

Expectations

I don’t expect that with this unit you will see one primary running back. There is entirely too much talent not to share the ball. If I am wrong, which I am known to be at times, the lead guy would probably be Dom Brown who has beefed up to a solid 230lbs during this off-season. There is a wealth of possibilities with these guys because they all bring different variations to the running game through their individual strengths. I do expect with what is now an experienced offensive line that the running back position will be a much stronger unit than the unit that produced only the 5th best rushing offense in the Big East for the 2011 season. Running Backs Coach Kenny Carter will show why he is one of the premier position coaches in the game.

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