Whaley waiting in wings as starter

By John Hillman  |   Monday, March 30, 2009  |  Comments( 4 )

Texas Longhorns
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This spring, Chris Whaley ran track for the Madisonville Mustangs. Next September, however, he could be the starting tailback at Texas.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound running back brings an impressive resume to the 40 Acres. In his senior season in high school, he rushed for 1,910 yards and scored 24 touchdowns for a team that won just three of nine games.

For four weeks last year, Whaley wore a cast because of a broken hand. During that stretch, he still managed two 400-yard games and only fumbled once.

Whaley selected the Longhorns over 30 other schools that included nearby Texas A&M and Nebraska, where his brother Alonzo redshirted last season. As a result, Texas respected his athletic ability to such a degree that the Horns did not ink another running back in their 20-member 2009 recruiting class.

Little doubt exists Texas needs to bolster its running game. Last season, the Horns ranked 41st nationally in rushing offense. Almost half (253 of 508) of their runs resulted in gains of 3 yards or fewer. Last year, quarterback Colt McCoy led the team in rushing with 561 yards.

Mack Brown sought answers to UT’s pedestrian ground attack in the offseason. But questions linger as spring practice winds down.

Vondrell McGee, Tre’ Newton, Foswhitt “Fozzy” Whitaker and Cody Johnson entered the March mix as the leading tailback contenders. For the most part, the results did not match expectations. McGee’s blocking ability -- especially in blitz situations -- downgraded his status; Newton appeared more suited to catching, not carrying, the football; and Whitaker’s spring snaps have been limited by an ankle sprain.

Despite his hulking 250-pound frame, Johnson grabbed the early lead in the running back chase. But the sophomore runner, who rushed for 338 yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns last season as a short-yardage specialist, suffered a setback last week. Johnson injured his left hamstring and will miss the remainder of spring drills, including the intrasquad scrimmage April 5.

The myriad of problems at running back leaves the spot wide open for Whaley to claim when he reports to the Horns next August. However, the freshman does face big odds.

Making the jump from Class 3A high school football to a potential NCAA national champion requires a unique combination of skill, luck and perseverance. Whether Whaley has what it takes and can play the position occupied by former Heisman Trophy winners Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams remains to be seen.
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About John Hillman

John Hillman graduated from Baylor University in 1974 with a BBA in accounting and earned an MBA from Baylor in 1987. He worked for accounting firms until 1982 when he became the chief financial officer for an independent insurance claims adjusting service, a position he still holds today....
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