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Running Backs Poised to Highlight Owl Offensive
6/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 8, 2016
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The knee jerk reaction to labeling FAU's offense as an up-tempo offense is: "That's just basketball on grass". The quarterbacks will toss it here and there and the receivers will go get it. Well what about the running backs? Will we see that part of the game disappear?
Remember the phrase "take what they give us" to better understand FAU's new offense. Yes the receivers are heavily involved and expect to see multiple receptions by multiple receivers, but don't be surprised to see the return of the deep pass that FAU quarterbacks of old used to burn opposing defenses. Expect to see the running backs eat up yards and to catch passes out of the backfield but, don't expect to see video board replays. Why? There simply will not be time to show a replay before the ball is set and the next play is called.
Coming out of the spring, Greg "Buddy" Howell reminded us of how good he can be. Jay Warren 
continued to put in the work in anticipation of an outstanding senior campaign while Kerrith Whyte and Marcus Clark proved the running back stable is full but ready to welcome incoming freshmen James Charles from Fort Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas and highly touted Deerfield Beach and American Heritage-Delray standout Devin Singletary.
"Buddy [Greg Howell] really separated himself as the guy," said Head Coach Charlie Partridge. "Day after day, play after play, he has proven that he can be a big play back. He is running faster and is running with more confidence. He really thrives in this system. He is a little stronger and a little faster and has gotten better since the fall. He is definitely one of our elite leaders and is doing everything right."
Howell showed his break-away speed as a true freshman, tallying 118 yards in his first outing. He followed up his WKU performance a week later with 92 yards versus Marshall and was well on his way to another outstanding game until a run-stopping injury versus UAB ended his game and season. He saw action in every game a year ago and tallied a team-high 598 yards in a four-back rotation that also shared the ground attack with the quarterback, who had the second-most carries (100). Howell has averaged nearly five yards per carry during his first two collegiate seasons. Howell finished his 2015 campaign No. 4 nationally with more than 100 rushing attempts and less than 20 yards lost. He was charged with a loss of 10 yards a year ago and a total of just 15 lost during his two-year career.
Each of the three returning backs were credited with at least one reception a year ago which will be critical in 2016. Remember, we will "take what they give us".
Veteran Jay Warren has used the last three seasons to build a resume that has proven his 
preparedness for either the run or pass. The senior has 287 career rushing attempts and has tallied nine receptions. Like Howell, he averages nearly five yards per carry. He also broke the 100-yard single-game plateau as a freshman versus Southern Miss and repeated it as a sophomore versus Wyoming. As a junior, he recorded a 132 yards on 11 carries in the first half versus Miami. He ended his junior campaign with 150 yards on 29 carries at ODU.
"We protected Jay [Warren] this spring by not allowing him to participate in a lot of contact situations," said Partridge. "He participated in all the 7-on-7 and drill work. He is in a good place and I'm anticipating that Jay will have a good senior year."
Warren's fellow Florida panhandle native, Marcus Clark made the best of his 2015 opportunities. He 
averaged 5.0 yards per carry and was given the ball 37 times. His longest was a 40 yarder versus Rice. He also saw time in the kick return game with a total of 57 yards on three returns. The redshirt junior shared his spring carries with redshirt freshman Kerrith Whyte, Jr.
"Kerrith showed glimpses [during spring practice] of what we saw on scout team last year. He is fast.
He is quick and he runs hard," said Partridge. "He will continue to develop his body to give himself a chance to withstand the pounding of being a Division I running back. That is the challenge we gave him for the summer."
Each of the backs provide a different look and create different challenges. Each will return in the fall to showcase their ability and to take advantage of the opportunities given to best help the team.
Newcomers
James Charles, 5-10, 200, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Devin Singletary, 5-9, 198, Deerfield Beach, Fla. (American Heritage-Delray)
Players Mentioned
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