Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice Report: Day Eight
Without the depth they want at running back, the Miami Hurricanes are going to need a big season from Mark Walton. The rising Junior running back was the focus of the discussion after Thursday’s practice.
Walton finished fourth in the ACC in rushing last season with 1,117 yards. He added 27 receptions for 240 yards. The second most experienced running back returning, Travis Homer had 44 yards on seven carries in 2016.
The lack of depth behind Walton and Homer likely means an increased workload for Walton this fall. He had 209 carries plus the 27 receptions last season. Walton is likely to average over 20 touches per game in 2017.
Miami Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs coach Thomas Brown spoke about the progression of one of his star pupils this spring. Walton has shown the propensity for leadership and competitiveness.
"“Right now his reps have been normal,” Brown said. “I haven’t cut back at all with him. Obviously, you want to be conscious of a very talented guy like that. But honestly, he is a competitor and really if I tried to hold him back, he probably wouldn’t let me anyway. And I love that about him. But I think he can carry a workload and be an every down type tailback like he was last year for us. We had kind of a three tailback system, we rotated three guys. And it may be less than that this year. We will kind of just see how the rest of the guys do behind him from a competition standpoint. And how big the separation is between Mark and everybody else.”"
Walton is working hard on his body this offseason in anticipation of the heavier workload this fall.
"“Just visiting the training room more often,” Walton said. “Getting extra work in, in the weight room. Stretching out a lot and just taking care of my body more.”"
Homer has grown a lot in his first season as a Hurricane. Brown spoke about Homer’s maturity.
"“I think it has been great…I think competition is always great to have in a room. To force guys to continue to compete and to continue to get better. I think Travis has always been a very mature guy from day one, I think, compared to most guys coming out of high school. He has done a really good job just trying to continue to push himself every single day and battle with Mark.”"
Walton has also been impressed with the player most likely to be his understudy in 2017 and 2018 if Walton returns for his Senior season.
"“Travis is a great running back,” Walton said. “There are little things he needs work on, like being patient a little bit. But overall I think he is going to be a heck of a player.”"
Homer got a lot of playing time on special teams in 2016 to complement the seven carries he had at running back. Homer spoke about what he and his teammates need to do as they continue to prepare for the 2017 season.
"“We definitely just have to keep our conditioning up as a group and just keep working each other to get better, so we can help out the team.”"
Next: Miami Hurricanes Spring Practice Report: Practice #7
The Hurricanes coaching staff should learn a lot this weekend. Miami will hold its first scrimmage of the spring. Miami is not having a traditional spring game this year and none of the scrimmages are open to the public.