Training Camp Spotlight: Backfield to Share the Wealth
8/22/2011 10:07:00 AM | Football
Millersville, Pa. - There is no shortage of talent at running back for Millersville. The only question is how to spread around the touches. Mike Jones, David Coates, Ian Sadon and Kevin Kelley are all hoping to take advantage of a run-heavy spread-option offense.
Jones' arrival on campus last fall was met with much anticipation. The former Bishop McDevitt star and Syracuse University special teams standout was expected to be an impact player from game one. Jones certainly flashed that ability at times. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry and made several breath-taking plays like a leaping fourth down reception against Gannon and a 74-yard touchdown run against Shippensburg. But he managed to break the 100-yard mark once. Part of it was an ineffective offensive line and another issue was his health.
“He was injured even when he wasn't injured,” said head coach Greg Colby. “He had turf toe from the third day of camp that bothered him all year. And then he got hurt in the Cheyney game. He never hit his stride all year. If he can stay healthy, he can be a top guy.”
Jones finished with 497 yards in eight games. He missed three games after suffering a painful rib injury in the fourth quarter of the game against Cheyney. Despite missing time, he still managed to rank third on the team with 25 receptions. He possesses outstanding hands and can be a true weapon in the passing game.
“We were starting to move him around, putting him in the slot,” said Colby. “We have to put a lot of load on him this year.”
Sharing that load figures to be redshirt freshman David Coates. “Coates, a Washington, D.C., native, impressed coaches during his redshirt season and displayed big-play ability in the spring game.
“From what we've seen in practice, athletically, he's right there with Mike,” said C olby. “He's got a lot of the same skills. We actually played him at wide receiver in the spring. He has great hands and a lot of versatility. He's durable too. He didn't have any nicks or dings all fall.”
Sadon, if he can get healthy and in practice, is likely to receive carries. Sadon redshirted in 2010 after transferring in from Taylor University. At 5-10 and 212 pounds, the Baltimore, Md., native is tough to tackle.
“It's going to be fun watching Ian,” said Colby. “He's a great kid. He runs his tail off. He's big and strong. He's not as fast as Coates and not the all-around player that Mike is, but he's physical and plays hard.”
Kelley has impressed early in camp as well. The redshirt freshman is a Conestoga Valley graduate and transferred back to Lancaster County after a year at Bridgewater College. In high school, he was one of the most productive backs in Lancaster-Lebanon League history, rushing for over 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior and almost 5,000 yards in his career.
Fellow newcomer Lawrence Wililams is also in the mix. The junior transfer gives the Marauders a different dimension than they've had in recent years. At 5-9, 220 pounds, he's the true fullback or big tailback that can grind out tough yards.
Jones' arrival on campus last fall was met with much anticipation. The former Bishop McDevitt star and Syracuse University special teams standout was expected to be an impact player from game one. Jones certainly flashed that ability at times. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry and made several breath-taking plays like a leaping fourth down reception against Gannon and a 74-yard touchdown run against Shippensburg. But he managed to break the 100-yard mark once. Part of it was an ineffective offensive line and another issue was his health.
Jones finished with 497 yards in eight games. He missed three games after suffering a painful rib injury in the fourth quarter of the game against Cheyney. Despite missing time, he still managed to rank third on the team with 25 receptions. He possesses outstanding hands and can be a true weapon in the passing game.
“We were starting to move him around, putting him in the slot,” said Colby. “We have to put a lot of load on him this year.”
Sharing that load figures to be redshirt freshman David Coates. “Coates, a Washington, D.C., native, impressed coaches during his redshirt season and displayed big-play ability in the spring game.
“From what we've seen in practice, athletically, he's right there with Mike,” said C olby. “He's got a lot of the same skills. We actually played him at wide receiver in the spring. He has great hands and a lot of versatility. He's durable too. He didn't have any nicks or dings all fall.”
Sadon, if he can get healthy and in practice, is likely to receive carries. Sadon redshirted in 2010 after transferring in from Taylor University. At 5-10 and 212 pounds, the Baltimore, Md., native is tough to tackle.
Kelley has impressed early in camp as well. The redshirt freshman is a Conestoga Valley graduate and transferred back to Lancaster County after a year at Bridgewater College. In high school, he was one of the most productive backs in Lancaster-Lebanon League history, rushing for over 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior and almost 5,000 yards in his career.
Fellow newcomer Lawrence Wililams is also in the mix. The junior transfer gives the Marauders a different dimension than they've had in recent years. At 5-9, 220 pounds, he's the true fullback or big tailback that can grind out tough yards.
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