Texas big and bright with trio of RB’s

By Nate Crossman  |   Tuesday, March 07, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Texas Longhorns
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You don't have to be a Wonderlic Test genius to know that the Texas Longhorns' gaggle of great running backs should be enough to soften the blow of losing quarterback and offensive dynamo Vince Young.

Head coach Mack Brown has spent a considerable amount of time this spring lauding the performances of all the running backs, but it's Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles and Henry Melton who deserve the most attention, since they will see a majority of the action in 2006.

The feel good story of the bunch is Young. After missing most of 2004 with an ankle injury, he was somewhat of a forgotten man last year due to the emergence of Jamaal Charles. But with Charles preoccupied with track and field this spring, Young is attempting to put himself back in the spotlight.

According to Brown, Young appears slimmer and has looked better than he did at any time last year, including the championship game. In his media guide biography, Young lists "Most rushing yards" as the record he'd most like to break. That probably won't happen since he only has 1,122 yards in four years. But he served important roles in 2002, as a back-up to Cedric Benson, and 2005. He opened up 2004 with a 100-yard rushing game against North Texas before going down with the ankle injury.

If Young is the feel-good story, than Melton is the most interesting. At 6-foot-3, 270-pounds, the bowling ball of a sophomore's strength is not his agility, which is why he was a short-yardage specialist as a freshman. Assuming that Melton's low center of gravity might be useful in other areas, the Texas coaching staff has been trying him out on the defensive line this spring. The way Brown has been talking in press conferences, it sounds as if Melton's future might be on the line, but he will remain on offense for the remainder of the spring.

Little can be taken from Charles' performance this spring, since the former prep All-American hurdler is busy with the Longhorn's track team. The only question, however, should be what can he do for an encore. After being named Big 12 offensive freshman of the year thanks to his 878-yard, 11-touchdown campaign, the Port Arthur, Texas native will find his sophomore year tougher sledding. With a new quarterback under center, Charles will be the focus of opposing defenses.

Vince Young is lost to the NFL and the quarterback situation has yet to be worked out, but fear not Texas Longhorns fans. The running backs should provide plenty of firepower to make the Longhorns competitive in the Big 12. Are they enough to win the Big 12? That's more difficult a question.
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