Being a versatile player is a great thing in the world of college football, especially at running back.
Running backs are asked to do a lot in many offenses. At the very least, they’re asked to carry the ball, catch the ball and block. Some teams split them out at receiver. Some teams have them throw a pass here and there. And some teams put them at defensive end.
Wait, what?
Yes, you read that correctly: defensive end.
Pitt head coach Paul Chryst has been having some fun with sophomore running back James Conner in camp this summer, moving the versatile back to the other side of the ball, tasked with getting in the same backfield that he runs out of.
Following practice Wednesday, Chryst talked about the situation.
“Our thought all along hasn’t changed from what we wanted to do going in. We are doing it with him because we believe he can help us,” the head coach said. ” Just like in the running game, or the running back position, he has stuff still to work on. Same thing with defense, but I think he is taking advantage of the time he is getting to work both sides during individual periods. He’s young at (defensive end) and he needs to keep growing at it. Nothing to this point has changed.”
A season ago, Conner led the team in rushing with 799 yards and eight scores, boasting a 5.5 yards-per-carry average. This season, he may end up leading the team in rushing and sacks, stating that he’d like to score 10 TDs and register 10 sacks on the season.
The move is one that has been talked about for a while and stems from the Erie standout’s time playing both running back and defensive end in high school. How would the 250 pound back describe himself?
“Yeah I would say that I’m kind of versatile,” Conner told media earlier in the week. “Things are going good. I’ve been playing a little defensive end so trying to do both things.”
As a running back, Conner would be of the power-back variety. But as a defensive end he’d be a speed rusher. That’s something he’s OK with.
“I think I have deceptive speed,” he said.
That deceptive speed could be used in a lot of packages come September.
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