Can Calhoun make quick impact?
Published: 7/5/2008 10:26 AM
Last Modified: 7/5/2008 10:26 AM
It is a question Oklahoma football fans find themselves asking, given the lofty credentials of incoming freshman running back Jermie Calhoun from tiny Van, Texas.
Position depth was sapped to the point OU used just two running backs during spring practice -- sophomore Mossis Madu and Justin Johnson, another freshman who had been on campus just weeks before getting the early call.
DeMarco Murray should be the featured attraction in OU's ground game next year, but then he's trying to bounce back from a major knee injury.
It leaves the door at least cracked for Calhoun. Tom Luginbill, national recruiting director for Scouts, Inc., believes that might be just enough.
"Right now we believe Calhoun is special and has the opportunity to... contribute," he wrote in a recent ESPN.com column. "Calhoun's versatility and big-play ability was put to the test as a senior as Van head coach Brady Pennington committed to the spread offense with hopes of opening up lanes for Calhoun and getting him into space. As a result, Calhoun proved his worth. He often took the direct snap out of the shotgun and played as the team's quarterback, rushing for 1,908 yards and 30 touchdowns. Not having to face consistent eight-man fronts certainly enhanced Calhoun's productivity.
"His blend of size, power and speed coupled with outstanding ball skills as a pass catcher will provide some thunder to the Oklahoma running game."
-- Guerin Emig
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
