Tale of the tape: 2006 Nebraska running backs

By Brandon Cavanaugh  |   Monday, March 20, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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While Cory Ross did an admirable job for years in the Nebraska Cornhuskers' backfield, the jitterbug from Denver has moved on and is now preparing for the NFL draft. That leaves coaches and fans alike with a burning question: who will take Cory's place?

There appear to be five young men that are primed to take over where Ross left off. Junior Brandon Jackson, sophomore Marlon Lucky, sophomore Leon Jackson, sophomore Cody Glenn and JUCO transfer Kenny Wilson will all be taking a crack at the starting role. While Bill Callahan's West Coast Offense calls for all five of these backs to be ready for a multitude of slots including running back, fullback and wide receiver, only one can be the starter come September.

With that thought in mind, let us examine the tale of the tape for each of the five competitors:

Brandon Jackson:
After suffering through some very painful shoulder injuries and subsequent surgery, Brandon Jackson is healthy and vying for the starting duties. He has shown an ability to get to the line quickly, but has not been the beneficiary of quality blocking. With the experience gained from last year along with the addition of very talented recruits, this should change.

Jackson's style combines quick footwork and a rough, powerful style that allows him to get through small holes, though he shows trouble staying on his feet at times. He's got the rest of the offseason to get his legs back under him as well as trim some time off his 40-yard dash.

Brandon has been with the program longer than any other back, however this experience could be somewhat for naught as injuries have hampered his progress.

Marlon Lucky:
Lucky excited fans from the day he committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. With Cory Ross in front of him, there was little doubt about the starter, but as the season progressed and Marlon received more time on the turf, his running style improved considerably.

Standing 6-0 and weighing in at 210 pounds, Lucky has a chance for a true breakout season in 2006 as he has the strength, mobility and moves to become the complete back that Callahan knows he can be. Marlon and the rest of the running backs were taken under the wing of the veteran Ross in 2005, and according to Lucky, the knowledge passed on was invaluable.

In a recent interview with the Lincoln Journal Star, Lucky said of Ross, "He catches the ball. He's smart. He taught us a lot. Man, he was like a coach's little assistant." Marlon goes on to talk about how Cory aided him in learning how to pick up the blitz. With the tutelage of Cory Ross and with his natural talent, Marlon Lucky will likely end up number one on the depth chart.

Leon Jackson:
The bright-eyed, smiling 6'2", 210-pound sophomore from Pasco, Washington spent most of last year at the free safety position along with time on the kickoff coverage squad. He went to the coaches and requested a move to running back. With Jackson's talent and speed, what Leon wants, Leon gets.

Jackson has a unique blend of fluid motion, amazing movement with his hips and breakaway speed that would make a car on the Autobahn jealous. This rare combination of athleticism and speed allows Jackson the opportunity to snag the starting spot behind his quarterback and full back.

Leon has always been a proponent of doing whatever the team requests of him. Now his request has him playing at a position he is very familiar with; Jackson has every reason to work harder than he ever has before.

Cody Glenn:
Bill Callahan's fondness for third down backs was very apparent in Oakland, so he has committed to bringing that dimension into the Nebraska offense. Enter Cody Glenn, a 6'0" 230-pounder brawler from Rusk, Texas who is built like Jerome Bettis but runs like Willie Parker.

Cody's combination of brute strength to move the pile and the ability to move his feet like a scatback make him a very potent threat in Callahan's offense. However, many believe that Glenn will line up at fullback.

Regardless of where he ends up, the quiet youngster is a favorite amongst many fans and will likely find himself scoring touchdowns in the red zone.

Kenny Wilson:
The X-Factor in the Cornhusker Running Back Derby is one Kenny Wilson, a 6'0" 220-pound JUCO out of Butler County Community College. Wilson possesses several key traits necessary in Callahan's version of the west coast offense. He is very fast for his size, he can barrel over most defenders, he can catch the ball with relative ease, and was referred to as the best pass-blocking JUCO running back in the nation by several top recruiting gurus during the past recruiting cycle.

Wilson's strength, speed, power and agility make him an interesting prospect for the starting role. However, the other three backs all have a year under Nebraska's system while Wilson does not, thus leveling the playing field a bit.

During the past recruiting cycle, Wilson was courted by Florida and Tennessee, two top-notch programs known for having solid running attacks. It is believed that Wilson may very well share the frontrunner spot with Lucky, if not have a slight advantage over the North Hollywood (California) native.

The competition for the top position on the depth chart will be fierce throughout the spring and all the way up until the final practice of the fall. In the end, one will remain victorious while the others will be chomping at the bit to get on the field and make their marks. This is a very good problem to have for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
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