ULM Spring Football Spotlight: Running Backs

Football Apr 03

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

MONROE, La. – With a new position coach and the starting job up for grabs, competition is fierce among ULM running backs this spring.

"They're all extremely hard working, tough kids who have really done a good job this offseason improving their selves physically," first-year ULM running backs coach Joe Graves said. "They've come into spring ball with a revitalized attitude and a competitive attitude. I think on Saturday that showed."

ULM's running backs enjoyed an impressive first spring scrimmage overall with a well-rounded effort that included tackle-breaking runs, catches out of the backfield and explosive plays.

"We've got a full load of guys back there," red-shirt junior Kayin White said. "We're going to do some damage this year."

"We all know everybody in the room is capable," senior Austin Vaughn said. "We're all about the same. Everybody is good. It's hard to say who is better than the other."

With a renewed emphasis on getting more production on the ground this season, the running backs are eager to grab their slice of the offense.

"All those guys in the room have an opportunity to be THE guy or a guy who is a huge contributor," Graves said. "Competition breeds greatness and that's been our motto."

With 2018's senior starting running back and leading rusher Derrick Gore (131 carries for 662 yards and 6 TDs) out of the picture, Vaughn is the elder statesman in the group now. Known as the "Bus" for his stocky build and relentless running style, Vaughn carried 46 times for 232 yards and two touchdowns last season as Gore's main backup.

"He's been here for a while and he's worked his way up from the bottom of the bottom to the top," Graves said of the former walk-on who earned a scholarship. "Nothing is guaranteed and we're going to compete, but right now, he's doing a lot of great things. He's doing things right from a technique perspective and his reputation has always been that he's really hard to get on the ground. It takes more than one guy to get him.

"Obviously, whatever you can say about 'Bus' as a football player doesn't compare to what you can say about him as a person. He's well-spoken, well-mannered and everybody loves him."

Red-shirt junior Kayin White (26 carries for 147 yards and 2 TDS) and senior Josh Johnson (19 for 69, 1 TD) also fit the power-runner mold and will be counted on to grind out tough yards.

"I'm really excited about our backs," ULM coach Matt Viator said after the first scrimmage. "Kayin and Vaughn, that's what we expected. I think Josh Johnson has gotten better now that he understands and is in shape. He looks pretty good."

A late addition to the roster last preseason out of Coahoma (Miss.) Community College, Johnson was never completely healthy or in top condition last year.

"This offseason, Josh did a good job tuning up his body," Graves said. "He came in late last year and was probably out of shape when he showed up. Now, he's in shape and so far this spring, he's been pretty good. He's made some great plays in the run game. In our scrimmage, he took a screen and made a big play. He had a lot of tough runs at the goal line. He's got a full offseason in and ready to go."

Isaiah Phillips, Jakyle Holmes and Javin Myers are ULM's best bets as big-play threats in the running game.

"Those three young guys can run," Viator said. "Isaiah Phillips, Jakyle and Javin Myers have a little different gear to them. We need that to complement what we're doing. We can see that every day in practice."

A three-star ULM signee in 2017, Holmes spent last season at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, but has rejoined the program for 2019.

"He provides us a spark back there with his athleticism and what he can do out of the backfield," Graves said. "He's had a very good spring and progresses every day. He's shown flashes this spring of why we brought we brought him back and recruited him in the first place. He's got great short-area quickness, great burst and a great natural feel for the game."

The red-shirt freshman Phillips didn't play last season but contributed as a scout team weapon. His practice work portraying the Georgia Southern quarterback helped the Warhawks pick up one of their most impressive Sun Belt Conference wins. Phillips ran for 1,943 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior at Lufkin (Texas) High School.

"He's hard-working and explosive," Graves said. "He's a very determined young man. He does everything that you tell him to. He's not afraid to compete, he's not afraid to be physical and he's not afraid to do anything. As you saw in the scrimmage, he has moments where he's lightning in a bottle."

Myers had eight carries for 25 yards in four games last year.

"Javin is another guy who gives us a burst and explosiveness out of the backfield," Graves said. "He will do anything you tell him to. He's tough and one of those guys you love as a coach because whatever you tell him, he'll try to do it at 110 percent."

Graves joined ULM's staff after coaching the running backs at Southeastern Louisiana in 2017. He replaces former running backs coach Alan Ricard, who left the program in February.

"He's been a great coach for us so far and taught us a lot," White said. "He's put us in a great position to succeed. He let us know when he came in that it was a fresh start. Just compete every day and nothing is set in stone. Compete and keep competing and you'll get where you want to be. He's been a great influence on our room so far."

A three-year starter on the offensive line at Southeastern who earned All-Southland Conference honors three times, Graves has retained that pride in running the ball at will.

"We want to be able to control the football game," Graves said. "Running the ball is where that starts. I know coach (Eman) Naghavi and the offensive line have been preaching that all spring. We preach that in our room as well. We want to dominate the running game. Every game, we've got to find a way to be positive in the running game."

Midway through spring drills, the new coach and players are on the same page.

"We want to change the narrative," White said. "We want to be one of the more known running back groups in the Sun Belt Conference. We want to do great things. The ultimate goal is to win the Sun Belt Championship."


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

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ULM Spring Football Spotlight: Running Backs