Running wild: 7 _ no, make that 8 _ running backs fighting for time at Mississippi

8 running backs vying for time at Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. — One by one the names roll off Cordera Eason’s tongue until he gets to seven — the number of running backs on the Mississippi roster legitimately fighting for playing time.

What about Dexter McCluster?

“When you add Dexter, the X-factor, you really got eight,” Eason said.

And then he smiled. There’s nothing like a little competition, and Eason’s got plenty.

After watching Darren McFadden and Felix Jones run wild in Houston Nutt’s offense at Arkansas, tailbacks are lining up to join the Rebels in a scenario similar to Southern Cal’s over the last few seasons — minus all those flashy prep all-American tags.

No one has time to rest on their resume here. Preseason practice has been all about competition and, believe it or not, Eason loves the situation.

“It’s a good feeling because when I first came here I think we had like four,” the senior said. “And two of them were on the service team.”

Eason, a senior from Meridian, and Brandon Bolden, a sophomore from Baton Rouge, La., likely will be at the top of the depth chart going into the season with sophomore Enrique Davis next. Another returning back, Devin Thomas, was the team’s most improved offensive player during spring drills.

After that there are three freshman — Rodney Scott, Tim Simon and Korvic Neat.

Some of the younger guys might get a redshirt this year, but Nutt showed last season he’s not afraid to rely on freshmen at the position. The multitalented Bolden had a breakout season, playing several different positions for the Rebels, and Davis saw time as well.

The second-year coach acknowledges it can be tricky managing all those backs.

“That’s always the toughest question,” Nutt said. “There’s been years we’ve looked like, ‘Boy, we hit it perfectly.’ Then the next year, it would be, ‘Boy, I wish we’d held him. He didn’t get to play.’ I just know you can never have enough of those good guys that step back there and line up 7 yards deep, catching it, running it, blocking for you and everything. We’ve just got to keep going the way we’re going now.”

And he is. The Rebels already have nonbinding commitments from running backs for the 2010 signing class with prospects undaunted by the growing line in front of them.

Everybody, it appears, wants a piece of what Nutt’s peddling. And for good reason: Running backs are wild about the Wild Rebel, formerly known as the Wildcat offense.

The Rebels rushed for 2,424 yards last season (109 less than the stable of prep all-Americans at USC), averaging 186.5 yards per game (28th in the nation). The offense was fairly balanced, but produced sparks in the old Wing T-like formation. The Wild Rebel seemed like a stunt to take advantage of McFadden’s athleticism when Nutt unveiled it three years ago.

It has gained traction around the country, though, and even made inroads with notoriously stodgy NFL coaches.

The regulars at quarterback in the Wildcat were McCluster and Bolden. McCluster, usually a wide receiver who often lined up at tailback in the I formation as the year progressed, led the team with 655 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

Eason, who held the role of traditional tailback, was second on the team with 647 yards rushing and three scores. Bolden had 542 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Both those backs added 10 receptions out of the backfield.

McCluster and Bolden also threw a few passes.

With so many ways to participate in the offense, no wonder running backs want in.

“Knowing that seven guys can get in there and do the same thing you can do, it just pushes you, it makes you work harder,” Bolden said. “And the next person wants to work just as hard as you. Nobody questions it. Like coach said, we have to embrace it. Me and Cordera looked at it just like everybody’s got to work harder than we did last year.”

That includes the freshmen, who appear to have gotten the message. Nutt has yet to rule them out for the coming season, meaning Scott, Simon and the much smaller Neat are getting hard looks this August.

“Rodney Scott and Tim Simon are special guys,” Nutt said. “They’re going to have a real chance.”

And that has put Eason on alert. He’s not about to spend his last season watching a freshman tote his football.

“You’re always looking back because you know there’s somebody that wants that spot,” Eason said. “Whether it’s the summer or the fall, you can’t ever get content with where you’re at because once you do that you’ll just lose really what you had. It’s only making me better.”