icu812
09-03-2009, 10:57 AM
For an area with a low population density Northeast Texas has produced some great backs recently. Here is a list that was in todays Tyler newspaper.
From Tylerpaper.com
Cayuga's Shead Another Link In East Texas' Great Running Back Chain
By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer
Cayuga's Traylon Shead is on pace to become one of the most decorated running backs in Texas high school football history.
Maybe even the most decorated.
The senior is currently ninth on the all-time rushing list, and 10th in career touchdowns. Should Cayuga, which entered the season top-ranked in Class 1A, advance to championship weekend for the second straight season, Shead could break both marks.
In order to do so, he must produce numbers on par with his 3,504 yards and 52 touchdowns of last year. Shead is 3,467 yards away from Kenneth Hall of Sugar Land's record, and 32 touchdowns off the mark Jacquizz Rogers established at Lamar Consolidated.
Yet Shead is only one in a growing line of heralded running backs to come from East Texas this decade. The Pineywoods are the homeland of the NFL's top running back at the moment, plus a rising college star expected to contend for this fall's Doak Walker.
In a year that could see Shead make history, here's a look at some of the region's other top running backs since Y2K. FYI, this list focuses on players who graduated to the NCAA Division I level.
-- -- --
Derek Farmer, Robert E. Lee (Class of '01)
...Farmer kicked off the decade by helping once-hapless Lee build into a 5A power. He went on to make an early impact at Texas A&M before transferring to Stephen F. Austin. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent, but never materialized in the NFL.
Brandon Kennedy, Chapel Hill ('02)
...The first of several big backs to come from the area,
Kennedy punished opponents for Chapel Hill and then signed with Arkansas. The 230-pounder with 4.5 speed played fullback for the Razorbacks.
A.J. Franklin, Troup ('03)
...The first of several stud running backs for Troup this decade, Franklin enjoyed a successful career at Northwestern State.
Adrian Peterson, Palestine ('04)
...A.D. was the nation's top recruit at Palestine, a Heisman Trophy finalist at Oklahoma and is now considered by many to be the best running back in the NFL. Steadily becoming one of the most recognizable people in football, the Minnesota Viking owns the NFL single-game rushing record.
Keondra Smith, Robert E. Lee ('04)
...Smith followed in Farmer's footsteps to help position Lee among the elite. Though he never starred at the next level, he also followed Farmer in signing with Texas A&M. At Lee, Smith was part of a 1-2 punch that also included running back Tyrone Ross.
Kory Sutton, Texas High ('04)
...After helping Texas High win a state championship, Sutton signed with Arkansas but finished his college career at Tarleton State.
Jamario Thomas, Spring Hill ('04)
...Thomas took little time to make an impact at the college level when he led the nation in rushing as a freshman at North Texas. He was named the Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. His younger brother, Demario Thomas, also signed with UNT.
Keith Gilliam, Kilgore ('05)
...The bruiser rushed for 2,775 yards and 27 touchdowns to help carry the Bulldogs to the 4A Division II crown, a feat that garnered him state player of the year honors. He signed with Utah State, but ended up transferring to Kilgore College.
Cody Glenn, Rusk ('05)
... The 6-0, 235-pound Glenn moved to linebacker at Nebraska. He was selected in the sixth round of this year's NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.
Jorvorskie Lane, Lufkin ('05)
...Listed at 6-0, 295 pounds, Lane made a name for himself on size alone. Lufkin's John Outlaw called him the best guy he's ever coached. Lane left Texas A&M last fall with the record for career rushing TDs, but isn't with any NFL team.
Kendall Hunter, John Tyler ('06)
...Despite breaking Earl Campbell's school record for career rushing yards, Hunter was lightly recruited coming out of JT. But at Oklahoma State, the 5-8, 190-pound junior has become one of the nation's most exciting players and a Doak Walker candidate.
Vondrell McGee, Longview ('06)
...The Longview graduate has the eyes of Texas on him at the moment; the junior is the starting running back for the Texas Longhorns. He ran for only 376 yards and four scores last season, but should post more in '09.
Jason Williams, Robert E. Lee ('06)
...Williams saw playing time during his freshman and sophomore seasons at UTEP, but missed last year with a medical redshirt.
Carmon Boyd-Anderson, Jacksonville ('07)
...Boyd-Anderson is the latest of the Indians athletes to graduate to Division I football. In August 2008, Boyd-Anderson left Kansas for personal reasons.
Lennon Creer, Tatum ('07)
...One in a slew of standout athletes to play at Tatum this decade, Creer earned state player of the year while helping the Eagles to a pair of state titles. He went to Tennessee and saw considerable playing time, but transferred to Louisiana Tech after last season.
Bryce Beall, Tatum ('08)
...Beall made an immediate impact at the college level for the Houston Cougars, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. He was the first freshman in UH history to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
Jermie Calhoun, Van ('08)
...Calhoun was the state's top-ranked recruit as a senior. Like Peterson, he left the Lone Star State to sign with Oklahoma. He redshirted for the Sooners last year, and will experience his first season of eligibility this fall.
LaMichael James, Liberty-Eylau ('08)
...The former LE star ran for more than 2,000 yards as a senior. The 3A state champion in the 100-meter dash then took the scenic route in signing with Oregon. He's expected to see playing time for the Ducks this fall after redshirting in '08.
Justin Johnson, Gilmer ('08)
...A former member of Gilmer's football factory, Johnson helped the Buckeyes reach the 3A Division I championship game as a senior. He then joined Calhoun in signing with Oklahoma, but has since transferred to Abilene Christian.
Kevin Navetta, T.K. Gorman ('09)
...Navetta was one of the top running backs to play at the private school level in Tyler in recent memory. Though others on this list have been given free rides to NCAA football powers, Navetta is beginning his freshman season at one of the nation's most respected academic powers: Princeton.
Dwight Smith, Carthage ('09)
...Smith led the Bulldogs to a 3A state title last season, and then signed with TCU and Navarro. The TSWA 3A Player of the Year is currently listed on the Horned Frogs roster.
Matthew Tucker, Chapel Hill ('09)
...Tucker was the AP's 3A Player of the Year after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. He's impressed TCU coaches during preseason workouts, and thus could begin seeing playing time quickly.
Ryan Young, Sulphur Springs ('09)
...Young made 2A defenses miserable for Alba-Golden before transferring to Sulphur Springs last year. He played a key role in helping Sulphur Springs' vaunted NASCAR offense win the 4A D-II title; and then signed with the Air Force Academy.
From Tylerpaper.com
Cayuga's Shead Another Link In East Texas' Great Running Back Chain
By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer
Cayuga's Traylon Shead is on pace to become one of the most decorated running backs in Texas high school football history.
Maybe even the most decorated.
The senior is currently ninth on the all-time rushing list, and 10th in career touchdowns. Should Cayuga, which entered the season top-ranked in Class 1A, advance to championship weekend for the second straight season, Shead could break both marks.
In order to do so, he must produce numbers on par with his 3,504 yards and 52 touchdowns of last year. Shead is 3,467 yards away from Kenneth Hall of Sugar Land's record, and 32 touchdowns off the mark Jacquizz Rogers established at Lamar Consolidated.
Yet Shead is only one in a growing line of heralded running backs to come from East Texas this decade. The Pineywoods are the homeland of the NFL's top running back at the moment, plus a rising college star expected to contend for this fall's Doak Walker.
In a year that could see Shead make history, here's a look at some of the region's other top running backs since Y2K. FYI, this list focuses on players who graduated to the NCAA Division I level.
-- -- --
Derek Farmer, Robert E. Lee (Class of '01)
...Farmer kicked off the decade by helping once-hapless Lee build into a 5A power. He went on to make an early impact at Texas A&M before transferring to Stephen F. Austin. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent, but never materialized in the NFL.
Brandon Kennedy, Chapel Hill ('02)
...The first of several big backs to come from the area,
Kennedy punished opponents for Chapel Hill and then signed with Arkansas. The 230-pounder with 4.5 speed played fullback for the Razorbacks.
A.J. Franklin, Troup ('03)
...The first of several stud running backs for Troup this decade, Franklin enjoyed a successful career at Northwestern State.
Adrian Peterson, Palestine ('04)
...A.D. was the nation's top recruit at Palestine, a Heisman Trophy finalist at Oklahoma and is now considered by many to be the best running back in the NFL. Steadily becoming one of the most recognizable people in football, the Minnesota Viking owns the NFL single-game rushing record.
Keondra Smith, Robert E. Lee ('04)
...Smith followed in Farmer's footsteps to help position Lee among the elite. Though he never starred at the next level, he also followed Farmer in signing with Texas A&M. At Lee, Smith was part of a 1-2 punch that also included running back Tyrone Ross.
Kory Sutton, Texas High ('04)
...After helping Texas High win a state championship, Sutton signed with Arkansas but finished his college career at Tarleton State.
Jamario Thomas, Spring Hill ('04)
...Thomas took little time to make an impact at the college level when he led the nation in rushing as a freshman at North Texas. He was named the Sun Belt Conference's Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. His younger brother, Demario Thomas, also signed with UNT.
Keith Gilliam, Kilgore ('05)
...The bruiser rushed for 2,775 yards and 27 touchdowns to help carry the Bulldogs to the 4A Division II crown, a feat that garnered him state player of the year honors. He signed with Utah State, but ended up transferring to Kilgore College.
Cody Glenn, Rusk ('05)
... The 6-0, 235-pound Glenn moved to linebacker at Nebraska. He was selected in the sixth round of this year's NFL draft by the Washington Redskins.
Jorvorskie Lane, Lufkin ('05)
...Listed at 6-0, 295 pounds, Lane made a name for himself on size alone. Lufkin's John Outlaw called him the best guy he's ever coached. Lane left Texas A&M last fall with the record for career rushing TDs, but isn't with any NFL team.
Kendall Hunter, John Tyler ('06)
...Despite breaking Earl Campbell's school record for career rushing yards, Hunter was lightly recruited coming out of JT. But at Oklahoma State, the 5-8, 190-pound junior has become one of the nation's most exciting players and a Doak Walker candidate.
Vondrell McGee, Longview ('06)
...The Longview graduate has the eyes of Texas on him at the moment; the junior is the starting running back for the Texas Longhorns. He ran for only 376 yards and four scores last season, but should post more in '09.
Jason Williams, Robert E. Lee ('06)
...Williams saw playing time during his freshman and sophomore seasons at UTEP, but missed last year with a medical redshirt.
Carmon Boyd-Anderson, Jacksonville ('07)
...Boyd-Anderson is the latest of the Indians athletes to graduate to Division I football. In August 2008, Boyd-Anderson left Kansas for personal reasons.
Lennon Creer, Tatum ('07)
...One in a slew of standout athletes to play at Tatum this decade, Creer earned state player of the year while helping the Eagles to a pair of state titles. He went to Tennessee and saw considerable playing time, but transferred to Louisiana Tech after last season.
Bryce Beall, Tatum ('08)
...Beall made an immediate impact at the college level for the Houston Cougars, earning Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. He was the first freshman in UH history to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
Jermie Calhoun, Van ('08)
...Calhoun was the state's top-ranked recruit as a senior. Like Peterson, he left the Lone Star State to sign with Oklahoma. He redshirted for the Sooners last year, and will experience his first season of eligibility this fall.
LaMichael James, Liberty-Eylau ('08)
...The former LE star ran for more than 2,000 yards as a senior. The 3A state champion in the 100-meter dash then took the scenic route in signing with Oregon. He's expected to see playing time for the Ducks this fall after redshirting in '08.
Justin Johnson, Gilmer ('08)
...A former member of Gilmer's football factory, Johnson helped the Buckeyes reach the 3A Division I championship game as a senior. He then joined Calhoun in signing with Oklahoma, but has since transferred to Abilene Christian.
Kevin Navetta, T.K. Gorman ('09)
...Navetta was one of the top running backs to play at the private school level in Tyler in recent memory. Though others on this list have been given free rides to NCAA football powers, Navetta is beginning his freshman season at one of the nation's most respected academic powers: Princeton.
Dwight Smith, Carthage ('09)
...Smith led the Bulldogs to a 3A state title last season, and then signed with TCU and Navarro. The TSWA 3A Player of the Year is currently listed on the Horned Frogs roster.
Matthew Tucker, Chapel Hill ('09)
...Tucker was the AP's 3A Player of the Year after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. He's impressed TCU coaches during preseason workouts, and thus could begin seeing playing time quickly.
Ryan Young, Sulphur Springs ('09)
...Young made 2A defenses miserable for Alba-Golden before transferring to Sulphur Springs last year. He played a key role in helping Sulphur Springs' vaunted NASCAR offense win the 4A D-II title; and then signed with the Air Force Academy.