Grambling looks to fresh faces at running back

By Nick Deriso, The News Star

GRAMBLING — Grambling will use as many as four freshmen — including a nephew of one of the school's greatest passers — in a new running back-by-committee.
That gives first-year GSU coach Rod Broadway a broad range of versatility in a reworked offense, but more than a few moments of stomach-churning anxiety.

"We think they can make some plays for us —- but, as freshman, they haven't done that yet," Broadway said. "They have speed and balance. They can change direction, and have pretty good vision. We need to mix all that together, then teach them how to pick up the blitz and block. There is a lot of responsibility that goes into being a running back in our system."

The position has been remarkably stable, as Alabama native Ab Kuuan gained 2,600 yards as a starter in each of his four years at GSU dating back to 2003.
Not anymore.

Mableton, Ga., freshman Raymond "J.R." Spivey, whose uncle is ex-Grambling and NFL great James "Shack" Harris of Monroe, has been sharing the majority of the snaps with Pleasant Grove, Ala., product Frank Warren. (Warren, a finalist for Alabama Back of the Year as a prep senior, is also related to a former pro standout — the late New Orleans Saints' lineman of the same name.)

The pairing isn't exactly a "thunder and lightning" approach, since neither is above 6-0 or 185. But their styles (Spivey is inventive and quick while Warren runs downhill) are different enough to draw comparisons.

"We don't have any big guys," Broadway said, "but hopefully, we have some fast guys."

Also seeing time are returning Vicksburg, Miss., junior Michael Rainey as well as freshmen Kenneth Batiste of Lafayette — a Louisiana Sports Writers Association 4A all-state first teamer last year — and Cornelius Walker of Georgia.

"We've got a lot of depth at the running back spot," said junior GSU quarterback Brandon Landers, a Carroll product. "We've got as many as four that we will be using. Each one of them brings a different thing to the table, a different style."

Truth be told, the previous system may have relied too much on Kuuan during obvious running situations. The team's second and third leading rushers last season were actually quarterbacks Landers and Larry Kerlegan. No. 4 on that list was departed change-of-pace back Keantwon Gray, who only had 71 total yards.

A radically rewritten playbook, however, will spread the responsibility around to a series of ball carriers — even as the number of touches increases in this more run-oriented look.

First-year GSU offensive coordinator James Spady said the offense will try to regain a more-balanced approach, using the run "to control the game, move the sticks — and, of course, to score points."

Spivey, who rushed for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns as a prep senior, has already taken something of a leadership role in the lockerroom. His family connection, and a familiar-looking playbook, instilled quick confidence, he said.

"It's similar to the system we used in high school, though we passed a lot more," Spivey said. "I love the system, and feel good about the coaches."

The feeling, already, is mutual.

"He's the flashy one," Spady said. "It's not that the other guys don't stand out. They are all pretty good talents, but each has his own specific talents. Which guy plays will depend on which play we are running."

Rainey might be considered the savvy veteran of the bunch, but he had just nine carries for less than 50 yards in 2006.

That's led Broadway to a running joke about lining up with an empty backfield.

Still, if anything, it might be getting too crowded back there. For now, anyway.

"Once they get in the flow of the game, I think they're talented enough to be good running backs," Broadway said. "They're not great. They're not bad. They're just good running backs at this point."