Gopher Football
– Marion Barber III
Last season brought the kind of year to Marion Barber III that many Gopher fans hoped he’d have in 2002. Barber was slated to be the starter in his true sophomore season, but pulled a hamstring in the first days of practice which ended any thoughts of that. Barber would end up redshirting in 2002, but he came back with a vengeance in last year in 2003. Marion’s hamstring was back to 100% and the results were everything Gopher fans could’ve hoped for. For the season Barber piled up 1266 yards rushing, 17 TD’s, 5.8 yards per carry, and to go along with it earned 1st team All-Big Ten honors. What’s even more astounding is that Barber put up these gaudy stats despite only getting 30% of the teams carries. Not bad numbers for a part time back, eh? Splitting carries with Laurence Maroney, the graduated Thomas Tapeh & since transferred Terry Jackson really limited what could’ve been an absolute monster year for Marion, but I don’t think anyone will complain. Barber made his mark as a sophomore and clearly established himself as the number two back in the conference behind Michigan senior Chris Perry.
Barber enters 2004 as arguably the Big Ten’s most complete back. He already has proven that he can run the ball, he has been a very good receiver in his limited role there, and to go along with that he is an excellent punt returner. With Jackson & Tapeh departed, Marion should see his role increase a little bit this season. He will most likely begin the year as the number one back, but his stats will likely be suppressed once again due to the increasing role of Laurence Maroney. As for Barber, what’s not to like? He’s quick, powerful, has great vision, he can hit the hole, break tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield, and he has a great knack for getting in the end zone (as evidence by his 17 TD’s last season). At this point, there is no reason to think that Barber can’t duplicate the type of season this year that he had last.
The one thing I would love to see more of from Barber this year is for him to get the ball a little more through the air. He has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, but he had only 13 receptions in 2003. In this fan’s opinion, getting 30 or more receptions this year would be a more efficient utilization of his talents. I believe Marion is every bit as talented as Chris Perry was last year, and he could become a Heisman candidate if he were utilized fully. That certainly would be a possibility, if not for a certain #22″¦.
– Laurence Maroney
Laurence Maroney enters the 2004 season as an already accomplished Big Ten running back. The young star ran for over 1100 yards and 10 TD’s in 2003. Don’t let the numbers fool you either; he actually had better numbers in Big Ten play than he did against Minnesota’s four cupcake non conference teams. For as good as Barber is, Maroney is probably the better talent. He obviously doesn’t yet have the experience that Barber does, but what he does have that Marion doesn’t is blazing speed. Laurence was a track star back home in Missouri, and that track star speed coupled with exceptional vision and patience for young back makes him extremely dangerous. Evidence of this was his incredible 6.9 yards per carry last year as a true freshman.
With a little added strength and experience Laurence will be a force. He is a great runner, but the one weakness he has right now is his inability to shed tackles. Seeing that he is a freshman this is understandable, so if he can just mature as any college player normally would this should be taken care of in a year or two. He is likely already good enough to start on most teams out there, but most teams out there don’t have a another running back as good as Marion Barber. Maroney will still see his fair share of carries however, and it’s very possible that he might even replace Barber as starter by years end.
– Justin Valentine
Redshirt freshman Justin Valentine (6’2″ 220lbs) will be the replacement for Thomas Tapeh at fullback. Justin won’t be asked to duplicate what Tapeh has done the past two seasons (who could?); rather he’ll likely be asked to just make a few blocks, catch the occasional pass and get a couple carries a game. Last year Tapeh got a large number of third & short carries, but until Justin becomes a little more experienced look for Barber to take over that role. Valentine was billed as a very good running back coming out of high school so we know he can run the ball. One of the things I’m most looking forward to this year is see what kind of blocker Justin has become. Mason said before last season that Valentine was good enough to see some playing time as a true freshman, but as we know that never happened. Justin redshirted last year and should be raring to go this fall.
– Depth
Another young talent who is ready for some playing time is New Jersey native Amir Pinnix. Amir had a very good spring game and eased any questions there may have been about depth below Barber & Maroney. He probably won’t see a lot of carries this year, but the future is very bright for redshirt freshman. Maurice Alexander joined the team this spring after originally signing with the Gophers in 2003. He didn’t qualify right away out of high school, but started classes in January and is qualified to play this fall. Maurice has good speed (he ran a 4.37 forty at the 2002 Minnesota camp), and is another candidate to backup Maroney & Barber. Alexander, along with fellow 2003 recruits Maroney, Pinnix & Valentine, gave the Gophers their strongest class of running back recruits in some time. Junior walk on Brandon Hagen is slated to be the backup fullback, and the latest talented tailback to sign with Minnesota is another Ohioan, 2004 signee Gary Russell.
Around the Big Ten . . .
Anthony Davis hopes to remain healthy in this his senior season. He is as good of a back as any in the conference when he is 100%. If injuries plague Davis again Badger fans don’t need to worry; Booker Stanley & Duane Smith give Wisconsin plenty of experienced depth (Pending Smith’s status from rape charges). Iowa’s Jermelle Lewis is finally primed to be their number one back after being second fiddle behind Fred Russel the past two seasons. Some Iowa fans have considered him their most talented back the past two years, but a torn ACL last spring cut deeply into his season last year. Michigan loses All-Everything back Chris Perry which leaves them a huge hole at RB for them. At one point the plan was for Kelly Baraka to be filling in about now, but since he isn’t around anymore sophomore Jerome Jackson and senior David Underwood are competing for that job. Another very good back who quietly had a great season last year was Purdue junior Jerod Void. He is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 900+ yards and 13 TD’s.
Last Year . . .
Few teams in the nation could match the production that the Minnesota running backs put out last season. Minnesota ranked 3rd in the nation in rushing yards at 289/game, 1st in rushing TD’s with a whopping 46, and had an outstanding 5.3 yards per rush to go along with it. Three players (Marion Barber III, Laurence Maroney and Thomas Tapeh) had at least 570 yards & 10 TD’s. Quite simply, it would’ve been nearly impossible to ask for anymore more from the backfield. They were so stacked a former 1300 yard rusher was relegated to fourth string.
Bottom Line . . .
Minnesota appears stacked at running back once again this season, and it will likely remain this way for at least the next couple of years. Barber & Maroney speak for themselves, the coaches have raved about Valentine & Pinnix, Alexander will be looking to make an impact, and Gary Russel is already in line after that. The running backs will be looked upon to carry the offense until Bryan Cupito finds the groove at QB and the offense becomes comfortable throwing ball. The talent of the backs along with the experienced offensive line will mean trouble for opposing defenses once again. This should be one of the best backfields in the nation again this year, both in talent and in depth.
Talk about the 2004 running backs on our Gopher Football message board.