Prediction: Coach Mike Price can't just stuff redshirt fireshman running back between the scrubs on the bench, just because he has three senior running backs on the roster.
I would not be surprised if Jeffrey was the No. 2 ball carrier behind Joe Banyard, one of the three seniors. Running back is one position a freshman, right out of high school, can excel at in college. The list of four-year star runners - some eventually All-Americans - is long in major college annals.
Jeffrey looked good at Camp Socorro . And his high school stats were astounding, even though he played for a Class 2A high school (Caddo Mills). He had 2,900 yards rushing his senior season, averaging 8.1 yards. In his last two seasons he rushed for 300 or more yards in a game five times and 200 or more yards in a game 16 times.
OK, 2A isn't 5A. But 2A kids are just as big and strong and fast; there just aren't as many on a team. Schools are classified based on enrollment. Price can't be thinking he'll run just three seniors, none of which have shown they are big-time college backs.
Banyard is OK. He's trusty and dogged and has some speed. Vernon Frazier is a zig-zagger who is dangerous in the open field, but isn't going to drag any tacklers. Leilon Myers is a plower, a guy who can run into the opposing line for two yards when needed.
Unless Price has a secret super star-to-be down in grayshirt land, or there's something UTEP isn't saying about Jeffrey, Price would be wise to let Jeffrey show his stuff as a freshman - and maybe the Miners can have a star running back for four seasons.
Hey, what do you base your comment on? I don't recall any of the three seniors given the real opportunity in prior years. I think if you go back and compare stats at high school for any of them you would have a different tone. Make sure you look at all the variables.
Posted by: Chris | August 26, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Good points but Banyard is a proven starter and Myers has proven to be a good number 2. I can see jeffrey playing against stony brook or eastern new Mexico as a trial run. After all, UTEP is going to lose it's three seasoned backs after this year. Price has no real choice but to try a new face in the backfield to gain a little experience.
Good blog Joe.
Posted by: !!Ssab Mud | August 27, 2011 at 05:20 AM
The high school coaches in the DFW Metroplex told me Jeffery was the real deal. I have never seen him play, but they got me excited that he was going to UTEP. Good luck to all Miners for 2011.
Posted by: andyspringer | August 27, 2011 at 07:32 AM
Funny, I was on the sideline at Camp Socorro behind the team and I didn't see you there. Yet, you say he did so great there as if you saw him first hand. Do you even know the statistics for Jeffery during the final scrimmage? (Which, by the way, you forgot to mention his first name, Nathan, in the whole blog, too.) This is from media relation's director Jeff Darby: Frazier had five rushes for 108 yards and a touchdown and deserves to be the second-string RB. Jeffery had eight rushes for 39 yards and a score. That's about four yards a carry against the second-team UTEP defense during most possessions. Can you just leave the football opinions to Bret Bloomquist? Thanks...
Posted by: Zach Roberson | August 29, 2011 at 09:57 PM
Dear Zach, Im sorry do you have some kind of degree or some kind of power that entitles you to ATTEMPT to belittle Joe? I guess you took a crash course on being an @$$ what is that a doctorites right? Joe and Bret are both very talented editors, he brings up very valid points in our running game.. So unless you have a degree in something higher than your major i suggest you leave the bickering to lil kids
Posted by: Joe Supporter | August 30, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Nate Jeffery is wicked fast. Turn him loose in a stadium, in a real game. not practice, not a scrimage, a real game, and watch him burn. Joe is right.
Posted by: Jay Dogg | September 09, 2011 at 07:56 PM