New running backs coach Major Applewhite knows a little something about position battles, having been under the microscope in a quarterback controversy with Chris Simms during his Texas playing days.
Instead of having the pressure of a millstone around his neck, Applewhite has a whistle around his collar this time as he attempts to resolve a multi-way contest to replace Jamaal Charles in the burnt-orange backfield. Sophomore Vondrell McGee, redshirt freshman Fozzy Whittaker and fifth-year senior Chris Ogbonnaya are the top contenders, with early enrollees Jeremy Hills and Tre Newton waiting in the wings.
"We have a lot of backs that can make a lot of explosive plays,"
Applewhite said. "You don't replace a guy that runs 10.2 in the 100, you just don't do it. You miss that type of speed, but backs are all different. Each back has his strengths."
Charles led the Big 12 with 1,619 rushing yards as a junior in 2007 and left early for the NFL after amassing 3,328 career yards, fourth most in school history.
Because Ogbonnaya has been around Austin so long, most of the reps this spring went to McGee and Whittaker. McGee (5-10, 205) rushed for 297 yards and eight touchdowns last season as the Longhorns' short-yardage specialist, but is eager to prove he can be the feature back.
Whittaker (5-10, 195) was a nice spring surprise and impressed Applewhite and head coach Mack Brown with his ability to change course and dodge tacklers. He was nothing short of prolific at Houston's Pearland High, finishing as the sixth all-time leading rusher in Texas history with 5,717 yards.
The running game looked sharp in the spring game, gaining 219 yards on 40 carries and scoring three touchdowns on the ground. Whittaker carried eight times for 43 yards and a touchdown and McGee added 26 yards and a score on eight attempts.
"I thought Vondrell did some good things and Fozzy has had a great spring and really looked good,"
Brown said. "Right now, those three guys would still be competing in the fall to see who will step up. What we're trying to do is see attitude, effort and toughness, and see who can make the individual plays."
