Penguins are deep at running back position


By Pete Mollica

Four tailbacks and three fullbacks are battling for starting jobs this spring.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State running backs coach Sam Eddie has some big problems this season as the Penguins get ready for the 2008 football season.

However Eddie’s problems are the kind that brings smiles to any coach.

The Penguins went into spring practice with no less than six tailbacks and four fullbacks. All of them showing a lot of promise.

With spring practice heading into its final week, Eddie has four tailbacks and three fullbacks battling for playing time.

“We’ve got a really good group of tailbacks this year and they are out there working hard,” Eddie said. “And none of them is worried about who’s playing and who’s not. They are out there just focusing on what they can do to get better.”

Senior Kevin Smith, juniors Dana Brown and Jabari Scott and redshirt freshman Josh Lee are all seeing plenty of action this spring and Eddie feels that it will continue right into fall practice.

Smith (5-10, 195) was a transfer last season from Grossmont Community College and is a native of San Diego. He led the Penguins in rushing with 610 yards on 123 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 80 yards and another score.

Smith likes the competition this season.

“We’ve got a lot of good backs this season and the competition is great because it makes you work that much harder each and every day,” Smith said.

“Offensively we are throwing in a few new looks and the quarterback situation seems to be taking care of itself and I look for big things from the offense this season,” he added.

Scott (5-10, 191) was the team’s second leading rusher a year ago with 524 yards on 93 carries and five touchdowns. The San Antonio native also caught three passes for 25 yards.

Brown came to the Penguins this spring as a transfer from the University of Iowa. The 5-10, 203 pounder is a native of Clairton, Pa.

Lee (5-9, 180) was redshirted last season and hails from Lutz, Fla.

“Smith is just a real athlete,” Eddie said. “He could play on offense or defense he’s that versatile. Scott and Brown are both hard runners who can go inside or outside.” The fullback spot is led by two-year letterwinner Lane, a Hubbard native.

The 5-10, 260-pound back only carried the ball four times last year, but caught five passes for 36 yards and one touchdown.

“Whether the fullback gets more into the offense this year will depend on the situation,” Lane said. “This year they are making us fullback-slash-tight ends, but basically our major job will be blocking for the tailbacks.”

Lane has some competition at the fullback spot led by sophomore Kyle Banna (6-0, 240) of Canfield and 5-10, 260 pound senior Charles Gresham of Columbus who transferred to YSU from Wittenberg College.

Banna was redshirted his first year, then missed almost all of last season with injuries,

But Banna has looked very good this spring as has Gresham. Banna probably has the best hands of the group and has good speed and quickness for his size.

Today at 10 a.m., the Penguins will hold their only jersey scrimmage of the spring at Stambaugh Stadium. The team will hold a practice Sunday at 7 p.m, and then get ready for the annual Red and White Spring Game which will be Friday at 7:30 p.m.

mollica@vindy.com

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More