Reloading the Running Back Room
Mar 11, 2021 | Football
NEW ORLEANS – The Tulane University football team's running back room is going to look a little different this season. After a few departures and the addition of a new offensive coordinator, the running backs may have a whole new outlook for the Green Wave.
The new offensive coordinator, Chip Long, will bring a new style of play and a new standard to the group.
"It is definitely different," redshirt junior running Cameron Carroll said. "As you know, we have a new OC, so he is pushing us. He's a tempo guy, so it is a lot of running. We've got to get in shape."
Carroll brings the most experience for the Green Wave. He played all 12 games for Tulane last season gaining 741 yards on the ground and scoring 13 total touchdowns. The running back led the NCAA in total touchdowns for most of the season after putting up eight in the first three games.
Long has pushed everyone on the offense to improve in spring practice and the players have taken notice.
"We know that he means business, so we have to put forth our best foot of effort so we can execute to the best of our abilities," Carroll said of Long. "He's expecting a lot out of us and I feel like we are definitely up for the challenge. I love that he has these high expectations for us because then we have expectations for ourselves and as a team. That's just going to elevate us even more."
Although Carroll has the most experience with the Green Wave in the room, he knows there are still areas he can improve his game.
"Everybody knows that I can run, but my biggest focus is pass protection," Carroll said. "Making sure that the quarterback is safe. Making sure that he doesn't feel pressure. Making sure that I am helping my O-line. That is my biggest critique of myself."
Carroll will not be the only one Tulane looks to in the backfield this season. Transfer running back Devin Brumfield has made an immediate impression in just a few spring practices.
"I am very excited about him [Devin Brumfield]," Tulane head coach Willie Fritz said. "I just grabbed him a couple of minutes ago and asked him if he has always practiced like this. He said 'Yes I have. I did it in junior high and high school'. He's got excellent practice habits. He said when he first started playing football in little league, he was taught to do it this way. He's got a motor on him and he's a lot like Cam. He's a thick guy, but he's got super movement and great speed. He is a really good all-around back. I have been impressed with him."
Brumfield comes to Tulane after three seasons at Utah, where he played 24 career games and was the Utes' second-leading running back in carries and yard during the 2019 season.
Ygenio Booker will also be someone the Green Wave could rely on this season and his coaches believe this could be a breakout season for the young back.
"I really do think he [Ygenio Booker] can have a great year," Fritz said. "He ran a legit 10.7 in high school. He's got good size. He's got super hands. We've just got to get him going. He is an excellent football player and he really has the want-to right now. He is in the office all day, every day. We have to kick him out of there. A couple of times, I've told time to turn the lights off when he leaves. He's really got an edge to him and he wants to be great."
The Tulane running backs may look a little different this season, but do not expect them to miss a step.
The new offensive coordinator, Chip Long, will bring a new style of play and a new standard to the group.
"It is definitely different," redshirt junior running Cameron Carroll said. "As you know, we have a new OC, so he is pushing us. He's a tempo guy, so it is a lot of running. We've got to get in shape."
Carroll brings the most experience for the Green Wave. He played all 12 games for Tulane last season gaining 741 yards on the ground and scoring 13 total touchdowns. The running back led the NCAA in total touchdowns for most of the season after putting up eight in the first three games.
Long has pushed everyone on the offense to improve in spring practice and the players have taken notice.
"We know that he means business, so we have to put forth our best foot of effort so we can execute to the best of our abilities," Carroll said of Long. "He's expecting a lot out of us and I feel like we are definitely up for the challenge. I love that he has these high expectations for us because then we have expectations for ourselves and as a team. That's just going to elevate us even more."
Although Carroll has the most experience with the Green Wave in the room, he knows there are still areas he can improve his game.
"Everybody knows that I can run, but my biggest focus is pass protection," Carroll said. "Making sure that the quarterback is safe. Making sure that he doesn't feel pressure. Making sure that I am helping my O-line. That is my biggest critique of myself."
Carroll will not be the only one Tulane looks to in the backfield this season. Transfer running back Devin Brumfield has made an immediate impression in just a few spring practices.
"I am very excited about him [Devin Brumfield]," Tulane head coach Willie Fritz said. "I just grabbed him a couple of minutes ago and asked him if he has always practiced like this. He said 'Yes I have. I did it in junior high and high school'. He's got excellent practice habits. He said when he first started playing football in little league, he was taught to do it this way. He's got a motor on him and he's a lot like Cam. He's a thick guy, but he's got super movement and great speed. He is a really good all-around back. I have been impressed with him."
Brumfield comes to Tulane after three seasons at Utah, where he played 24 career games and was the Utes' second-leading running back in carries and yard during the 2019 season.
Ygenio Booker will also be someone the Green Wave could rely on this season and his coaches believe this could be a breakout season for the young back.
"I really do think he [Ygenio Booker] can have a great year," Fritz said. "He ran a legit 10.7 in high school. He's got good size. He's got super hands. We've just got to get him going. He is an excellent football player and he really has the want-to right now. He is in the office all day, every day. We have to kick him out of there. A couple of times, I've told time to turn the lights off when he leaves. He's really got an edge to him and he wants to be great."
The Tulane running backs may look a little different this season, but do not expect them to miss a step.
Players Mentioned
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Spring Ball Presser: QB Zeon Chriss-Gremillion - 3/9/36
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Spring Ball Presser: QB Kadin Semonza - 3/9/26
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Tulane Green Wave's New Indoor Practice Facility
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