‘NEW GUYS WILL PLAY’
Freshmen will get to play
Tigers football coach Justin Fuente says several members of his 2013 signing class will play significant roles on the field this season.
When University of Memphis football coach Justin Fuente described his 2013 recruiting class last February, there was little doubt several of the signees would find themselves in significant roles this fall.
As the Tigers enter their final week of preseason camp starting Tuesday, it’s apparent the bulk of those contributors will be on offense. Since camp opened three weeks ago, several freshman running backs — mostly Marquis War ford and Doroland Dorceus — have been getting reps with the No. 1 offense. Receiver Sam Craft, the former Olive Branch and Craigmont player, has been involved, too.
“I don’t know who, or how much, or where they’ll play, but these new guys will play,” Fuente said.
Receiver Joe Craig and linebacker Ryan Coleman also were part of the signing class, but the junior college transfers got a head start by participating in spring workouts. Each entered preseason camp listed No. 1 at their respective positions.
Warford and Dorceus are among four running backs in the class. The group also includes Tearris Wallace from Bentonville, Ark., and Robert Davis from Tampa. Davis had been slowed by an injury, but has returned at near full speed this week.
Warford, 5- 8 and 170 pounds, has been, perhaps, the most impressive of the newcomers. He has shown a mix of elusiveness and speed, turning several seemingly short-yardage gains in scrimmages and practices into big plays.
Dorceus, at 5-10 and 185 pounds, has displayed a more punishing style.
Fuente said the majority of the newcomers will be on offense because the defense returns an overall experienced unit. Ten potential starters on defense are juniors or seniors.
“Basically, on defense, we’re not in a position to have to play those players right now,” Fuente said. “On offense we will have to play young players. It’s a combination of them being talented and us having needs at those spots.
“A couple of them could compete at a lot of (major) schools. They might not come in and play right away like they will here, but they could certainly play.”
The Tigers return senior running backs Brandon Hayes and Jai Steib, who combined for nearly 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Hayes, a former White Station player, averaged five yards per carry. But there wasn’t much depth behind them.
“Obviously, we’ve got the two old guys coming back,” Fuente said. “They played a lot for us last year and, at times, did a pretty good job. They’ve been pretty solid (in camp) and we’ve got a couple of young guys who have pushed them. Marquis Warford is a guy who is going to play for us early and Doroland Dorceus is a guy who has a chance to possibly play for us early.”
Offensive coordinator and running backs coach Darrell Dickey said, physically, most of the freshman backs are prepared.
“Size-wise and ability-wise they are ready to play college football,” Dickey said. “It’s how quickly they can pick up the offense and contribute on special teams. It’s a good situation for us. We have some guys who can press (the seniors), who can spell them and hopefully perform well if called upon.”
Recruited as an athlete, Craft, who played quarterback and receiver in high school, looks as if he’ll contribute, too.
“Sam Craft is a guy who has talent and gets better every day,” Fuente said. “He is a bigger kid and he is a physical football player. He is a smart football player.
“And he just keeps getting better playing his new position every day. You can literally, almost right before your eyes, watch him get better as the practices go on.” Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph tore the ACL in his right knee last year in an earlyseason loss to Florida. Less than a year after surgery, he’s at about 95 percent heading into the Vols’ season opener next Saturday against Austin Peay.