Colorado State football has a problem, but it’s a good problem to have.
Currently, they have too many talented running backs. It’s difficult to decipher which one has the upper hand at the moment, and head coach Mike Bobo said on Friday he’s comfortable with four running backs on the team, with Deron Thompson being that fourth back. The other three are seniors Jasen Oden Jr. and Treyous Jarrells, and redshirt sophomore transfer from Purdue Dalyn Dawkins.
Ram fans should be familiar with Oden and Jarrells, both are versatile backs. Jarrells carried the ball for 437 yards and six touchdowns last season behind Dee Hart, while Oden racked up 276 yards and two touchdowns, as well as three receptions for 17 more. Each can run between the tackles or outside, each can catch passes.
But, what separates Oden from the other two is his 5-foot-11, 218-pound size.
“I feel like my game is physical,” Oden said in an interview Friday after practice. “I’m a physical back, downhill [runner]. And if I get to the outside, I can put the burners on. I feel like I bring a dimension to this team that’s going to help us out in the long run.”
Especially if he can bust a few long runs. But that’s not necessarily his game. Oden will be called upon in passing situations to block for the Rams’ starting quarterback, which has yet to be named, and the big back will likely be used in short-yardage situations too.
Oden is pushing his teammates in every aspect of the game because he understands it’s all important. And by pushing those fellow running backs through competition, it will only better the team in the end.
“I make guys compete, I want to get the best out of guys,” Oden said. “Not just running the ball. Because, as a back, you’ve got be able to run the ball, catch the ball and block to protect the quarterback.
“I’m going to keep pushing and it’s a lot of guys who like to compete,” he continued about his fellow running backs. “Me setting the example in drills is going to make the best in them come out.”
The best came out of Jarrells and Oden on Saturday during the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp; Jarrells led all backs with eight carries for 59 yards and a score while Oden carried seven times for 43 yards and a touchdown. Jarrells’ biggest run was 47 yards, bringing the ball to the 10 and he punched it in two plays later.
Of course, the backs can’t do anything without solid blocking up front. After losing center Weston Richburg in 2013 and then tackle Ty Sambrailo last year, both to the NFL, younger players must immediately impact the offense in positive ways.
“I feel like the offensive line we’ve got right now, they’re so talented,” Oden said. “They’ve got some young guys stepping up, making plays. It’s easy; I’ve been around these guys a year, some of them two, so it’s kind of easy getting the tendency of the o-line. You know who can pull, who blocks aggressively. It’s kind of a bond. Some of us came in early for the summer, and worked out and worked together, so, we have a tight bond.”
Chemistry between the backs and the line is important, and it sounds like it’s been building all summer long.
Oden also took a minute to reminisce about the first time quarterback Nick Stevens impressed him. The now-running back remembers being a defensive back and watching film of Stevens in his freshman year following a practice at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium.
“It was just him and Garrett (Grayson),” Oden said. “I would not lie to you, it was like eight straight plays. Garrett had four, he had four. Garrett pumped balls on the point, he stepped right in, he pumped balls on the point. They were just competing. Even though we (DBs) were getting torched, it was just fun to watch.”
“There’s other great quarterbacks starting to come along, even J.C. (Robles), he’s starting to play really well. Chachi (Coleman Key) is playing great. Craig (Leornard), don’t count him out. He’s more of a runner, but he can put the ball where you need to put the ball. They’re really competing out there at quarterback.”
Oden’s right; the QB competition has been the talk of fall camp and on Saturday, during the scrimmage, the top two played well. Key finished 12-22 for 213 yards and three touchdowns while Stevens went 15-21 for 198 and one score.
No matter who’s handing off the ball to him and occasionally throwing it to him after Bobo names a starter, Oden is prepared to go to battle with them. He’s put on a ton of muscle and he’s also taken a step up in the leadership department; Oden is focused, ready to run strong for the Colorado State Rams.
Season kickoff is scheduled for Sept. 5 as Savannah State comes to Fort Collins for the season kickoff, the annual orange-out and Ag Day.
