Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite will have at their disposal one of the best backfields in the country. Speed, power, and explosiveness describe this young corps of ball-carriers, and just may be the foundation for what could become a national championship football team.
This super-squad of runners seems like something conjured up in an action film plot, and even Stallone himself would be impressed by these burnt-orange clad warriors.
The Squad:
The Expert:
Malcolm Brown
mysanantonio.com
Malcolm Brown, most likely will be the starting back, a sophomore from Cibolo, Texas, Brown was ranked the second highest running back and seventh overall top prospect by ESPNU in 2010. Brown is one of 13 Texas freshmen to rush for over 500 yards in a season. In 2011, he tallied 172 carries for 742 yards to lead the team and had five rushing touchdowns. Brown ranked second among true freshmen in the NCAA and was eighth overall in the Big 12 with 74.2 rushing yards per game. Starting 7 of the 10 games he played in last season, Brown led the Horns in rushing yards as a true freshman. The last true freshman to lead the team in rushing yards was Cedric Benson, who started 8 of the 13 games. Brown was recently added to the Maxwell Award’s watch list for 2012.
The Quiet Tough Guy:
Joe Bergeron
espn.go.com
Joe Bergeron, a sophomore form Mesquite, Texas, played in 11 games with 72 carries for 463 yards and five touchdowns averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Bergeron’s five rushing touchdowns tied for ninth most by a freshman in school history. He also tied the schools freshman record with three rushing touchdowns against Texas Tech, as well as racking up 191 yards ranking second among Texas freshman for a single-game rushing total. Bergeron runs like a wild man bouncing off enemy defenders while he fights for extra yards, reminding many of one of the greatest runners to play at Texas, Earl Campbell.
The New Guy:
Johnathon Gray
mbd.scout.com
Johnathon Gray’s arrival in Austin makes Texas a triple threat. If one of the backs doesn’t beat you, than there are two others willing to try. The incoming freshman from Aledo, Texas will add the element of speed, to counter both Brown and Bergeron’s power. Grey was recently named the 2011-2012 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, as well as the two-time Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year. In addition, the 2011 Air Force National Player of the Year award, prep-All-American status, winning three state championships, and finishing as a three-time first-team All-State and All-Area player and a four-time All-District performer. He earned first-team All-America honors from Parade Magazine, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and ESPNHS this past year. And finally, Gray also won the 2010 and 2011 ESPNHS Mr. Football USA Player of the Year award, becoming the first person to win that award twice.
If the college football world isn’t impressed by this triple threat, than they will be. This super-squad of all-stars gives Horns fans something to be excited about. And don’t be shocked when Harsin pulls a few rabbits out of his hat with this group.
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Elliott Weeks
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