Pitt Spring Football: Collier trying to gain ground on other RBs
Share with others:
Pitt sophomore Kevin Collier was supposed to be the elite running back coach Dave Wannstedt was looking for to jump-start the Panthers' ailing run game.
Yet Collier barely cracked the lineup last year and, when he did, it was mostly in spot duty. He played in eight games and rushed 33 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
And looking ahead to this season, it doesn't figure to get much easier for Collier to get into the lineup. The Panthers have two other tailbacks returning, including starter LaRod Stephens-Howling, and have four running backs in the incoming recruiting class.
One of the newcomers is blue-chipper LeSean McCoy from Milford Academy (a prep school in New York). McCoy was ranked among the top-five running backs in the country coming out of Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg last year.
McCoy's signing was a major coup for the Pitt coaching staff and he should be in the mix for a starting position early.
Collier, though, isn't worried about the competition. In fact, he welcomes the challenge because he believes it will not only make him better, but it will make the Panthers better, and that's what matters most to him.
"I call LeSean all the time and tell him to get in his playbook," Collier said. "I'm excited because I think all of us are getting so much better and we're pushing each other. This is the right place for me because we run the ball. We're all going to get a shot.
"Coaches have just been telling us -- take advantage of every opportunity you get and that's where my focus is. I want to help us win, that's all."
Collier wanted to redshirt last year, but Brandon Mason transferred and Stephens-Howling got hurt, so the Panthers were left with only two healthy tailbacks for several weeks.
He learned quickly that he didn't know nearly as much about the position as he thought and he also realized he needed to work on the other duties of a running back such as blocking and catching passes.
So far this spring, coaches have given Collier and sophomore Shane Brooks a heavy dose of the work. Collier was one of the stars of a scrimmage Saturday as he rushed 11 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
Pitt running backs coach David Walker said that Collier's team-first attitude is a reason he has been successful this spring.
"Kevin has proven he is capable of doing anything we'd ask and he is competing for more and more playing time every day," Walker said. "The refreshing thing is he isn't looking at anyone else but himself. Sure we've recruited some guys at his position and they will all compete -- but that's the nature of the beast in Division I football.
"He isn't worried about anything but improving himself and he's been one of our most improved players this spring because of it."
NOTES -- Senior right tackle Mike McGlynn had surgery on his left shoulder yesterday and is finished for the spring. "It is nothing that will keep him out for next season but is serious enough that it required surgery." With McGlynn down, sophomore Jason Pinkston has been elevated to the first team for the duration of spring practice. ... Sophomore defensive end Doug Fulmer (knee) was expected to return this week but remains on crutches and is likely to be out longer than expected. ... Sophomore safety Elijah Fields returned yesterday from his suspension. ... Wannstedt watched film of the scrimmage from Saturday and came away impressed with several players, especially linebackers Shane Murray, who ran with the first team yesterday, Dorin Dickerson and Scott McKillop. "I wasn't sure if Dorin or Shane were tough enough to play that position. But, after watching them, they are plenty tough, believe me," Wannstedt said. "And Scott McKillop is probably even further ahead than I gave him credit for."
First Published March 28, 2007 12:00 am
