ULM Warhawks

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

MONROE, La. – Running back Derrick Gore arrived at ULM last year as a transfer from Alabama and expectations soared about what he could mean to the Warhawks' ground attack.

Gore was solid in 2017, gaining 585 rushing yards on 164 attempts and adding six touchdowns on the ground, but it might not have been the breakout season some anticipated.

"When he was at Alabama, it was mostly on special teams or being a mop-up guy," ULM running backs coach Alan Ricard said. "This was his first time being 'The Guy' and first time being in our system. It takes some time to get that chemistry. And it's not all on Derrick. We're an offensive unit."

Fast forward a year and Gore is geared up to be "The Guy."

"Last year was like another learning experience for me," Gore said after a recent spring football practice. "Just being that guy (at Alabama) to starting, it's a different role I had to take on. This year, I feel a lot more comfortable in my role."

Gore owns the versatile skill-set to be an impact back in ULM's explosive offense. He has a blend of speed and power and caught 13 passes for 174 yards and one score.

"Derrick is a three-down back," Ricard said. "He's a great kid and has a great work ethic. I think people will see the true Derrick Gore this season with him having a year under his belt, a year in this system and a year with me. People will have a chance to see the real Derrick Gore."

Off the field, Gore is making an impact with his tireless preparation.

"Derrick Gore has helped other guys develop a work ethic," Ricard said. "When he got here, his work ethic was through the roof, and it still is. Other guys saw that and now he's got workout buddies. They want to get extra in. That's how that works. That's how teams get better when you have good character guys pushing each other in friendly completion."

Gore has grown into a leadership position and takes that seriously in a running back room with several promising young stars watching.

"I'm doing what I can do every day to get better," Gore said. "As a running back group, we look at each other as a whole. When one guy does well, it uplifts everybody in the whole room. What I want to do this year is be a better leader, so those guys coming up will continue the tradition of having a good running back room."

Overall, the ULM running back corps will enjoy a youth movement behind Gore and Austin "Bus" Vaughn, who managed just 28 yards on nine attempts while fighting injury all season.
Like Gore, Vaughn is a respected veteran, who does things the right way.

"When he's healthy, Austin is one of our best special teams players," Ricard said. "He's a guy that you can trust. He's a resourceful player, who's going to find a way to get it done. He kind of reminds me of my self in that regard. He doesn't have to have the best athleticism. He's good in every area, and he's also a great kid."
 
Kayin White is another sturdy power runner, who saw action last year as a red-shirt freshmen and averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He gained 162 yards on 38 attempts and scored two touchdowns.
 
"Last year, I saw him developing and making some strides," Ricard said. "He had a good grasp of the offense last year, but I wanted him to get a grasp of the details and intricacies of the offense. He has taken that next step. He just has to keep building on it and keep taking those steps."
 
Rising red-shirt freshman Jakyle Holmes was a three-star recruit out of Ponchatoula High School, who is now preparing to make his college debut next season.  He reported to spring drills ready to contribute.
 
"He's a 200-pound back," Ricard said. "When he first got here, he was a little bit overweight, but he's gotten it under control and he looks great. He's gotten faster, and his lateral quickness is unbelievable. I think people will see his talent this year. If everything works out the way it should, you'll see some explosive plays out of the backfield."
 
Red-shirt freshman Javin Myers, another three-star player from Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge, brings sprinter's feet to the spring mix.

"He's showing good progress," Ricard said. "He's a speedy kid too. He's got a big heart and does good in pass protection and run blocking. That's going to pay dividends for us as far as having depth."

There should be carries up for grabs this fall. Ben Luckett, ULM's third-leading rusher last year graduated, and Duke Carter transferred out during the offseason. Another promising back, Isaiah Phillips, arrives in the fall. Phillips (5-8, 185) ran for 1,943 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior at Lufkin (Texas) High School.

"I think we complement each other pretty well," Vaughn said. "There's no hating going on in the running back room because everybody is always trying to be competitive every day. Like coach says, the best man is going to play."

"We're just trying to mix in some different kinds of guys," ULM head coach Matt Viator said. "Derrick is a little bit of both. 'Bus' is a little more inside, and Kayin is more inside. Having different types of guys, I really like a lot."

Said Ricard: "All of these guys have gotten better. After the season, they went into this spring hungry to get better."

Warhawks On The Rise: Viator created a buzz when he labeled Myers as one of the fastest players on the roster in a pre-spring interview with ULMWarhawks.com.
 
Myers and Holmes are both members of ULM's top-rated 2017 signing class and inject a dash of flash to the position.

"This spring, we're looking at the two freshmen, who are a little different backs from what we've had," Viator said. "These guys are home-run hitters. They're a little bit smaller and a little bit scattier. It will give us a different type of back."

Holmes wrapped his career at Ponchatoula with 1,873 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground, 1,034 and five scores through the air and 952 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns.
 
A product of Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge, Myers ran for 1,300 yards and 20 scores as a senior and set a school record with 3,400 rushing yards over his career.

Even a veteran like Vaughn has been impressed with the youngsters.

"They look good," Vaughn said. "They're definitely gifted and athletic. We just have to get them going in the right direction, and I think they'll be great to watch at ULM for years to come."


This positional spotlight is part of a continuing spring series you can find at ULMWarhawks.com over the next few weeks.