09/02/10- Soma Vainuku, Fr, Southern Cal, 6-1, 250 Freshman FB Soma Vainuku did not initially report with the newcomers as he was still trying to qualify academically.
09/02/10- D.J. Shoemate, Jr, Connecticut, 6-0, 220 PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB D.J. Shoemate - Jordan Todman is still the starter at running back, a candidate for the Doak Walker Award and one of the top returning running backs in the conference, if not the country. But Shoemate, a transfer from USC who was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA, has everyone excited by his speed and potential and will definitely see the field.
09/02/10- Mark Moundros, rSr, Michigan, 6-1, 234 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: This side of the line has been a whirlwind of transition since the start of spring ball as head coach Rich Rodriguez searches for some desperately needed help after the Wolverines got shredded on a regular basis in 2009. FB Mark Moundros will start at one linebacker, while Carvin Johnson, who came to Ann Arbor as a defensive back, will start at another linebacker slot. The secondary has been shaken up by injuries and departures and looks unsettled. As a whole, this unit needs to slow UConn's efficient running game, and get some help from a productive and mistake-free Michigan offense.
09/02/10- Nick Melillo, Jr, Kentucky, 6-2, 234 Junior TE Nick Melillo (ankle) will likely miss the season opener against Louisville. Melillo (five receptions in 2009) is the only Wildcats tight end with game experience.
09/01/10- Van Stumon, rSr, Arkansas, 6-1, 265 Arkansas offensive lineman Anthony Oden and fullback Van Stumon are suspended for the No. 17 Razorbacks’ season opener against Tennessee Tech. Coach Bobby Petrino didn’t say why the two are being held out for Saturday’s game. Each was arrested during the offseason on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Petrino said as of Wednesday, the plan was to sideline the two for one game. Oden, a sophomore, started one game last year. Stumon, a senior, started two. - AP Sports
09/01/10- Cody Johnson, rJr, Texas, 5-11, 250 PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Cody Johnson - The 5-foot-11, 250-pounder is the ideal bludgeoning instrument in Texas' re-tweaked power-running game. After struggling with his conditioning earlier in his career, Johnson came back in shape and earned the starting job for the opener with an impressive performance in training camp.
09/01/10- Cody Johnson, rJr, Texas, 5-11, 250 Texas coach Mack Brown has been adamant since the start of spring practice that he wanted to have a "downhill" running attack. He's lived up to his words with his personnel choice heading into the start of the season by installing bullish 250-pound running back Cody Johnson to the top of his depth chart heading into his season opener at Rice. Johnson barreled past Tre' Newton and Vondrell McGee into the starting lineup despite not dropping much weight after Texas coaches harped on it the last several seasons. Instead, Johnson's hard work in the weight room helped him improve his body fat percentage and the results pushed him to the top. "Cody is a workhorse," Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho said. "He worked very hard in the off-season. I know he stayed on the squat rack, just working on his explosion doing power clings." Johnson's ascension has proved that Brown's aims after the graduation of Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley aren't just lip service. After watching his team rely too much on a passing game, Brown was determined to emphasize a power game. And who better to carry the load than Johnson, his biggest, most powerful running back? "We've always felt that Cody had a tremendous upside, because of his power and his strength and his speed," Brown said. "Weight has been a problem and it's one that he's fought for two years. He just decided this spring and summer that he was going to take it out of the equation and give himself a chance to play."
09/01/10- Jared Tew, Sr, Air Force, 6-0, 212 PLAYERS TO WATCH: FB Jared Tew - There probably won't be too many surprises against Northwestern State this week, so Tew should have plenty of opportunities to run up the middle. Tew hopes to top 1,000 yards this season, and could get a head start with a nice game this week.
09/01/10- Jared Tew, Sr, Air Force, 6-0, 212 Fullback Jared Tew played well last year, but in some ways it was just enough to motivate him to reach higher levels this year. He finished with 970 yards last year. Tew said he doesn't closely watch his stats during the season, but getting so close to 1,000 yards gave him something to shoot for this year. "He didn't rush for 1,000 yards and that's the measure of a back," running backs coach Jemal Singleton said. "He was close but he didn't do it." Tew said he didn't know he was so close until a few days after the Falcons won the Armed Forces Bowl. Tew had a huge game against Houston in the bowl, with 173 yards. "Afterwards you're like 'Man, just give me the ball a few more times, I could have gotten over,'" Tew said. "As long as we get those wins I'm fine, but it's a pretty cool stat to get over 1,000." Even though Air Force has always used the fullback in the triple option offense, only four have gone over 1,000 yards in a season. No Air Force fullback has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 21 years. Tew says he wants to improve his average, which was 4.1 yards last year, but quickly added that he wants to be a better blocker for the Falcons' tailbacks. With a few more big plays Tew, a first-team preseason all-Mountain West pick, could reach 1,000, and perhaps go beyond that number. "I don't want to put a glass ceiling on 1,000, there's nothing that says we can't get more," Singleton said. "But I think that's a thing to shoot at, and there's no reason he couldn't get much more than that."
09/01/10- Cody Johnson, rJr, Texas, 5-11, 250 The Texas offense will change with Garrett Gilbert taking over for McCoy in the starting lineup. The Longhorns will still pass -- some -- but won't feature the zone read plays that have been a staple since Vince Young was playing quarterback. Gilbert will be under center more, and the Longhorns will play much more with two tight ends. The transformation has placed a premium on ball security and moving the chains. And also acted as a renaissance for Johnson, who rushed for 335 yards and 12 touchdowns last season when he played behind both Newton and McGee. Despite those numbers, Johnson became little more than a seldom-used short-yardage specialist by the end of the season. "He's worked very hard, and I'm pulling for him," Brown said. Offensive coordinator Greg Davis hinted the change would be even more drastic than Brown has said. Either way, the emphasis on running between the tackles has made Johnson more valuable because of his running style. "Our philosophy hasn't changed," Brown said. "Everybody's talking that we want to run the ball on every play. That's not the case. We just want to run the ball better when we run it." It appears to be an offense perfectly suited against Rice in the opener. The Owls ranked 102nd nationally against the rush and were blistered for 471 yards on the ground by Navy. They allowed 36 rushing touchdowns to rank next-to-last nationally. And even more so for Johnson, who gets the start although Newton and McGee both should receive regular work in the opener. "I felt like I had to do something different," Johnson told the San Antonio Express-News. "But you can't get complacent. You can't relax because people are giving you praise."
09/01/10- Fred Munzenmaier, rSr, Georgia, 6-2, 240 With Washuan Ealey suspended for the season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, Georgia coach Mark Richt said Caleb King will get additional carries at tailback. Carlton Thomas will back up King, and Richt said fullback Freddie Munzenmaier could see some carries at tailback as well.
09/01/10- Zach Becker, Jr, Illinois, 6-2, 250 FB/TE Zach Becker, the only fullback in the program with experience, suffered a stress fracture during fall practice and isn't expected to return until Big Ten play begins Oct. 2 against Ohio State.
09/01/10- Vince Helmuth, rSo, Miami (OHIO), 6-1, 283 FB Vince Helmuth, a transfer from Michigan, should help in short-yardage situations, both as a runner and blocker, with his 283-pound frame.
09/01/10- Tommy Bohanon, So, Wake Forest, 6-2, 240 FB Tommy Bohanan, who has been tagged as the clear starter, missed considerable August practice time with a shoulder injury.
08/30/10- Cody Johnson, rJr, Texas, 5-11, 250 Cody Johnson is listed as the starting tailback for No. 5 Texas for its season-opening game at Rice. Texas coach Mack Brown released his depth chart on Monday. Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound junior, started one game and rushed for 335 yards and 12 touchdowns last season as Texas went 13-1 and played for the BCS championship. He beat out Fozzy Whittaker and Tre’ Newton in camp to get the start against the Owls on Saturday. Case McCoy, younger brother of former Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy, is listed as the top backup to starter Garrett Gilbert. - AP Sports
08/29/10- Bobby Humphries, Sr, Shepherd, 6-2, 248 WVIAC WEEK 1 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Bobby Humphries, Shepherd, 6-3, 250, Sr., FB, Frederick, MD: Humphries' fourth quarter touchdown rushes of 20 and 66 yards helped the Rams post a 35-27 win at defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion Shippensburg...The senior gained 90 yards on three rush attempts and added a two-yard pass reception...His lead and pass blocking helped Shepherd roll up 532 yards of total offense, including 312 on the ground. Shepherd has won six straight in their Great Valley Classic rivalry versus Shippensburg following Saturday's 35-27 victory...The Rams are the league's lone squad with an open date this week as they don't return to action until Saint Joseph's (IN) pays a visit to the Eastern Panhandle on September 11. - WVIAC football
08/28/10- Henry Hynoski, rJr, Pittsburgh, 6-2, 260 Pitt fullback Henry Hynoski wants to give defensive coordinators more to worry about than just the physical well-being of their linebackers. Hynoski, the 6-foot-2, 265-pound lead blocker for Heisman Trophy candidate Dion Lewis, is poised to do more this season than level defenders. "There's nothing like blowing up a linebacker," Hynoski said. "That's the best feeling ever. But I'm a guy that can do multiple things: run, block and catch. That's what a good fullback has to do. I want to put the whole game together." After touching the ball only 39 times last season, Hynoski will be expected to increase his role in the Panthers' offense. The redshirt junior carried 24 times for 107 yards and one touchdown last year. He proved he could catch the ball out of the backfield, with 15 receptions -- the same number as wideout Mike Shanahan -- for 109 yards. "He's a better athlete than anyone would probably realize," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "Because of his size and the position he plays, you tend to say 'He's a fullback. He's just a blocker.' But ... we are going to need him to be more than blocker for us." - John Grupp, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
08/26/10- Owen Marecic, Sr, Stanford, 6-1, 245 2010 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Owen Marecic - Stanford, has been named one of 48 players to the the inaugural Paul Hornung Award that will be given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Expected to see action on both offense and defense in 2010 - "He's the perfectly engineered football player,'' Coach Jim Harbaugh said of Marecic...8 rushes - 15 yards - 4 TD...8 rec. - 132 yds. - 1 TD in 2009. - Louisville Sports Commission
08/25/10- Cody Johnson, rJr, Texas, 5-11, 250 Texas averaged 4.0 yards per rush last season, a solid mark. But in the last two games against Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game and Alabama, the Longhorns totaled just 99 yards on 66 carries, an average of 1 1/2 yards. The overall drop-off in recent years appears to have hurt Texas on the recruiting trail. Brown, who can usually charm top recruits to Austin with the snap of a finger, has struggled lately to land the traditional big, game-breaking running backs of Texas lore. That could soon change. Malcolm Brown of San Antonio, one of the top running back recruits in the nation, has verbally committed to sign with Texas in 2011. Texas started four tailbacks at different times last season and entered training camp with Newton and Fozzy Whittaker battling for the No. 1 role. Whittaker has seen sporadic action the past two seasons while battling injuries. Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, took over the position in the second half of last season. Cody Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound bowling ball of a tailback has been a pleasant surprise in training camp and has forced his way into the rotation. Johnson has 24 career touchdowns and ran for 109 yards in his only start last season against Baylor. Conditioning and weight problems kept him from playing more. "He's come back and lost 4 or 5 percent body fat this summer. He's still the same weight but he's in great shape," Brown said. "I think we got onto him so much that we got discouraged, very honestly. You can't do it as a coach, the young man has to do it and this summer he did it on his own." - AP Sports
08/25/10- Zach Becker, Jr, Illinois, 6-2, 250 Illinois junior Zach Becker, the first-string option at tight end and fullback, will miss the first three football games this season with a stress fracture in his foot, coach Ron Zook said Tuesday. A former walk-on, Becker twice underwent surgery to repair stress fractures in his feet. Becker visited with a specialist Tuesday in Indianapolis. He played sparingly in the Illini scrimmage Saturday and didn’t practice Monday or Tuesday. Becker is suffering pain in one foot, Zook said. “He’ll be fine,’’ said Zook, who hopes Becker will be ready to play Oct. 2 against Ohio State. Becker spent part of preseason camp trying to get back into shape following surgery after spring practice. At his hybrid position, Becker can line up in the backfield, on the line or go in motion. The 6-foot-3, 248-pounder’s knowledge of the offense makes him versatile. - John Supinie, GateHouse News
08/24/10- Stanley Havili, rSr, Southern Cal, 6-1, 230 TOP RATED PAC-10 CONFERENCE NFL PROSPECTS: 4. FB Stanley Havili, Southern Cal, 6-1, 230, 4.64 An outstanding runner and receiver, Havili is the top-rated senior fullback in the country by NFLDraftScout.com. He's averaged 6.2 yards per rushing attempt over his career and is already the Trojans' all-time leading receiver among fullbacks with 84 grabs (for 894 yards and 10 scores). Scouts want to see Havili improve in his consistency and physicality as a lead blocker. Also, he'll certainly field questions from pro teams about the fight with teammate T.J. Bryant that led to Havili being suspended from the team. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
08/24/10- Toben Opurum, So, Kansas, 6-1, 238 Kansas coach Turner Gill said sophomore quarterback Kale Pick will get the nod over redshirt freshman Jordan Webb and start against North Dakota State on Sept. 4, the Kansas City Star reported. Also, sophomore running back Toben Opurum, Kansas' leading returning rusher, will be moving to linebacker, the Star reported. Gill told the newspaper that the Jayhawks need depth at linebacker, and Opurum was not going to see much time at running back. - AP Sports
08/24/10- Ryan Houston, Sr, North Carolina, 6-2, 245 Ryan Houston figures slimming down won't stop him from being the battering ram in North Carolina's ground attack. Three years after arriving on campus as a 273-pound freshman, Houston is down almost 40 pounds entering his senior season. He's been a proven goal-line option and a lead ball carrier capable of wearing down defenses, and coach Butch Davis has said Houston is off to his best training camp with the No. 18 Tar Heels. "I think he's found that ... every year he's gotten lighter, he's gotten stronger, he's gotten quicker, he's gotten more explosive," Davis said. "Last year he found that when the load was on his shoulders the second half of the season, that even being a little more fit and a little quicker would have served him a little better. "You have to respect guys that recognize areas where they should try to get better." Houston missed spring workouts at Davis' suggestion so that he could focus on academics - he said he was still eligible - as well as the birth of a daughter in October. But even though he didn't work out with the team, he studied film and kept working in the weight room to stay in shape. After playing last year around 245 pounds, he's down to around 236 in training camp. "I watched a lot of film, especially on me, and how I hit the hole ... and I see how other people hit the whole - smaller backs and how they explode through the hole," Houston said. "When I see the hole, I try to give it everything I've got and it shows on film." - AP Sports
08/24/10- Charles Clay, Sr, Tulsa, 6-3, 234 Charles Clay called it "probably the highlight of my career." Was the Tulsa senior talking about his 28-yard touchdown run at Arkansas as a sophomore? Or maybe the 51-yard, game-winning scoring reception against SMU during his freshman season? Nope. Clay lined up at defensive end during the 2008 season opener at UAB and recorded his only sack in college. Todd Graham said that he's planning on using Clay and fellow H-back Willie Carter on defense in certain situations this season. "We expect Charles and Willie to do some pass rushing for us," Graham said. "Those guys are just so fast, big and explosive." Clay wasn't the only transplanted defensive player on that 2008 team. Tarrion Adams, the school's all-time leading rusher, lined up at safety. Clay (6-foot-3, 235) and Carter (6-2, 218) are athletic and could make an impact this season. The biggest concern is not to let the pair become too winded playing on both sides of the football. - Eric Bailey, Tulsa World
08/24/10- Dominique Allen, So, LSU, 5-11, 255 Sophomore fullback Dominque Allen has been released from the football program. Media relations director Michael Bonnettee confirmed the big fullback's departure. Tigers coach Les Miles suspended Allen in mid-July for violating team rules. Miles said earlier in fall camp that the 5-foot-11, 275-pound Tennessee native was making progress academically. Apparently the progress wasn't enough, though. Allen appeared in just one game in 2009, but was penciled in as the starting fullback during spring drills. Without Allen, the fullback job remains wide open. Veterans James Stampley, Richard Dugas and Kellen Theriot are in the mix, along with freshman Travis Dickson. - Randy Rosetta, 2theAdvocate.com
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