TCU Camp '10: Depth Key At Running Back
8/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2010
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The running back position is next on the GoFrogs.com preview of the 2010 TCU football team.
Despite the top-four running backs on TCU's depth chart being sophomores and freshmen, there is experience at the position.
Matthew Tucker (6-1, 210, So.) and Ed Wesley (5-9, 200, So.) had stellar rookie campaigns in 2009, placing second and third on TCU in rushing with 676 and 638 yards, respectively. The totals represent the fifth- and sixth-best seasons by a freshman in TCU history.
Sporting News tabbed Tucker as the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. His top-five rushing games of the season came in the last five regular-season contests, including a 134-yard effort and two touchdowns at Wyoming. A true freshman, Tucker placed second on TCU with eight rushing touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Wesley, an honorable-mention All-Mountain West Conference selection, took part in three of the Horned Frogs' six-longest plays from scrimmage in 2009. The Irving, Texas, native ran for a TCU season-high 137 yards in a 55-28 win over Utah. In addition to rushing for four touchdowns on the year, Wesley had three scores on his eight receptions for 170 yards (21.2 average).
Waymon James (5-8, 203, RFr.), a four-star recruit, will compete for playing time after redshirting in 2009. Coming out of Sherman High School, James was ranked by Rivals.com as the second-best running back in Texas and the 10th-best back in the nation. James rushed for 1,939 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior.
Aundre Dean (6-0, 215, So.), a Parade All-American at running back for Katy High School, where he was a teammate of TCU quarterback Andy Dalton, is also in the mix. Dean originally signed with UCLA and played as a true freshman for the Bruins in 2008. He sat out last season per NCAA transfer rules.
Another talented newcomer in the running game is Dwight Smith (5-10, 218, Fr.). A Texas 3A Player of the Year, Smith rushed for 2,820 yards and 43 touchdowns as a senior in 2008 for Carthage High School. Smith enrolled at TCU for the Spring 2010 semester.
Luke Shivers (6-0, 220, Jr.) is the returning starter at fullback. Also utilized some at tight end, Shivers has scored four touchdowns on just six career touches.
BY THE NUMBERS:
3 - Receiving touchdowns by Ed Wesley last season on just eight catches
5 - Different leading rushers (Andy Dalton, Skye Dawson, Matthew Tucker, Joseph Turner, Ed Wesley) TCU had in a game last season
5.2 - TCU's average yards per carry a year ago
239.5 - Yards rushing per game by TCU in 2009, ranking fifth nationally and the Horned Frogs' highest mark since averaging 275.6 yards in 2000 (LaDainian Tomlinson's senior season)
1,939 - Sherman High School single-season record for rushing yards (11.3 per carry) set by Waymon James as a senior in 2008
Players Mentioned
