2011 Football Recruiting Board - RB

Ryan Houston

 The Depth Chart:  There is a lot of uncertainty in the Tar Heel backfield.  While it should not be an issue, there are too many question marks not to be concerned.  UNC is likely to employ a two to three back system that is not only designed around a thunder and lightning approach but is also designed to preserve the legs and prolong the careers of our running backs.

Gio Bernard

The most significant question marks surround our top two perspective backs.  Ryan Houston and Gio Bernard both have injury issues and I am going to need to see them on the practice field in August with pads before I feel completely comfortable.  Ryan Houston is coming off surgery from a shoulder injury suffered on a Quinton Coples tackle during the Spring game.  Gio had leg issues in high school that caused him to miss most of his senior year.  He was still rated a four star running back by most services based off his junior year performance and I was excited to see him play last year.  Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in one of the first few practices of 2010.  While he could have been a full participant in Spring practice, he was held out of full contact activities in an abundance of caution.  Therefore, it has been two years since Gio played live action football.  Both are expected to be ready to go when practice begins for the 2011 season later this summer.  If they are healthy, we will have an explosive and dynamic backfield. 

After those two, the running back stable is an unknown quantity.  Hunter Furr burst onto the scene against FSU last season for twenty-seven yards on three carries to move us into field goal range in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter as the only healthy remaining running back.  Reportedly, he had a good Spring practice, but I wasn't impressed with what I saw in the Spring game.  Take that for what you will.

Travis Riley

I was impressed with Travis Riley.  Riley is an early enrollee and came in at 6'1" 210 lbs.  He is a one-cut, hard runner with 4.41 speed.  In the Spring game, Riley read blocks well, planted his foot to hit the hole hard and showed nice burst in open space.  He isn't a home run threat, but he will be able to get positive yards and chew up the clock.  Riley has a nice frame and should be able to add weight without loosing too much speed, so I expect for him to grow into the thunder role.  I don't know if he is expected to red shirt this season, but he most certainly won't if there are any injuries to Houston or Bernard. 

Finally, Romar Morris enrolled for the second summer session.  He is a smaller back, but he is 4.3 fast.  As a sophomore and junior in high school, Morris won back to back NC 2A track titles in 100 and 200m dash.  He was unable to defend his title this past year due to tweaking a hamstring in qualifying race at states.  With that kind of speed, Morris will be used in space where, if he can make someone miss and get to the second level, he will be difficult to catch.  Look for Morris to red shirt this year. 



The Needs:  Running back is a position of emphasis.  We need to bring in at least one marque guy, but the staff is looking to bring in two to three backs during this recruiting cycle.  In addition to need to build solid depth in case of injury, the biggest thing missing to take that next step as a program, i.e. competing consistently in BCS games, is the big time, home run threat back that can change a game anytime he touches the ball.  A guy that can be the difference between a 8 or 9 win season and a 10 or 12 win season.  Luckily, we have several targets that fit that description and are interested in Chapel Hill.  We are in a good position with these guys and it should be exciting to track through the Fall and into December or signing day. 

The Recruits

(listed alphabetically)

Comments: UNC has been a consistent leader for Garmon for a while now with Iowa and Illinois rounding out his top three.  It should be noted that he does have a top five which is listed above.  Garmon is listed as an athlete by numerous recruiting outlets because he is a versatile athlete that can play on both sides of the ball at the college level and projects to be a solid NFL prospect.  Because of his breakaway speed, vision, and foot speed, the staff is recruiting Garmon as a running back.  As a junior, Garmon ran for 1,225 yards and 11 touchdowns on 141 carries; 7 catches for 147 yards and two TDs; and returned a kick for a TD.  Garmon would be a huge addition to the 2012 recruiting class out of Pennsylvania and I hope we maintain that top spot through signing day.  If we can pair Garmon with any of the other three (especially Marshall or Shell) I will consider it a good year at running back for the Tar Heels!

The Film:

Comments:  Just like Shawn Draughn, Gurley hails Tarboro, NC.  He started off a little under the radar, but has picked a significant number of offers in the last two months.  Gurley has good size and incredible 4.33 speed.  Obviously, he has incredible speed and recently represented the U.S. in France for an international track meet.  The staff is looking at Gurley as a RB and that is where Gurley wants to play.  However, many scouts feel that he may be best suited as DB because of his size, speed, and break on the ball.  Gurley has the size to be a full time back, but won't need 20+ carries to put up special numbers.  While dook was an early leader, UNC now has a slight edge on the pack that now includes several big time programs with Notre Dame and Florida showing significant interest.

The Film:

Comments:  Keith Marshall is the number one running back in the nation according to most recruiting services.  Coming out of Raleigh, NC and playing at Millbrook High, some consider Marshall a must get since he is in our backyard and can have the kind of impact on our program that Marcus Lattimore had on the Gamecocks last year.  (I know I will be heading to a few Millbrook football games this Fall to see him live and in person.)  If he stays in state, he will be a Tar Heel.  Unforunately, it is impossible to get a read on his recruitment.  Marshall is extremely bright, very media savvy and wants to keep his recruitment interesting for his big announcement.  As a result, he does not give up much during interviews.  Luckily, he is an early enrollee, so we won't have to wait for signing day to know where he is going.  Most think the top two are UGA and UNC.  I have a feeling that ND is in play because one of his best friends, Ronald Darby, is an Irish commit and they have expressed interest in playing together.  However, as I mentioned, Marshall is very intelligent and driven.  His ultimate goal is to be an 1st round NFL draft pick.  He also knows his best opportunity to realize that goal is to play in a pro-style offense where he can learn the protection schemes that prevent most rookie tailbacks from making an immediate impact and pushes them out of the first round.  UNC and UGA are the most prominent schools on his list that run such an offense.  While Marshall is electric and a game changer, he is not an every down back and expressed interest in pairing up with another dynamic back.  Like I said, he is smart and wants to get paid.  If you split carries in college, you can have a longer NFL career.  Check out the film.  It is filthy!

The Film:

Comments:  I really like Rushel Shell and I am not alone.  He is either the best back or the second best back on our board and one of the best backs in the country.  Shell is a beast that plays all three phases (offense, defense and special teams) for his high school in Pennsylvania.  As a result, he is always a little nicked up, but is still a dominant force.  He rushed for 2,510 yards and 27 touchdowns on 323 attempts; three games of over 300-yards; and second leading rusher in WPIAL history with 6,766 yards and 82 touchdowns on 796 attempts. He has run for 100-yards or more in 29 consecutive games. Shell has a solid frame and can be the 20+ carry a game back, able to put a team on his back and carry them to victory week-in an week-out.  He has a rare combination of power and speed with good vision.  Simply a great football player.  I know I mention Marcus Lattimore above, but Shell is much more similar in terms of running style and ability.  He too can be a program changer for us.  Shell's recruitment has been quiet because he decided to give baseball a try for the first time since Little League (and is apparently doing relatively well).  However, he has come out with a top five list and UNC is on it.  Shell visited for the Carolina-dook basketball game this past Spring and really enjoyed the campus, atmosphere and coaching staff.  It is hard to tell where each team stands, but UNC is getting serious consideration and I would love to have him suit up in Carolina Blue! 

The Film:


The Interview:

Hard not to like a kid that earnestly says he doesn't pay attention to individual stats and is more concerned with his team winning.