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2008 Gridiron Camp Preview: Running Backs
Aug. 11, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The TCU football team began its second week of preseason camp Monday. GoFrogs.com continues its look at the 2008 Horned Frogs with a preview of the running back position. Running back is one of the deepest positions for TCU. Aaron Brown (6-1, 196, Sr.), last year's Preseason Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year, is primed for his best season after enduring an injury-plagued 2007 campaign. Despite being limited to action in parts of nine games, Brown placed second on the Frogs with 490 yards rushing on a 4.6 per carry average. The Katy, Texas, native is only the 12th player in TCU history to surpass 2,000 career yards rushing (2,049). Brown was fourth on the Frogs with 24 receptions last season. Joseph Turner (6-1, 226, Jr.), last year's leading rusher with 597 yards, did not take part in spring drills after suffering a knee injury in the 20-13 Texas Bowl win over Houston. He is back on the field for preseason camp. Selected by his teammates as TCU's 2007 Offensive Most Valuable Player, Turner closed the regular season by rushing for 226 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries in a 45-33 win at San Diego State. It was the most yards by a Frog since 2002 and the 14th-best effort in TCU history. Like Brown, Turner was slowed by injury last season. The Frogs were 6-2 in games that Turner was healthy throughout the contest and 5-0 when he rushed for at least 56 yards. Chris Smith (5-11, 231, Jr.) was converted from fullback to tailback in spring practice and was very impressive. Redshirt freshmen Jai Cavness (5-8, 175, RFr.) and Jercell Fort (5-11, 175, RFr.) will also compete for playing time at tailback. Fort, a Los Angeles native, was moved from cornerback midway through last season. With the graduation of William Jackson, Justin Watts (5-10, 195, Sr.) enters the fall at the top of the depth chart at fullback. A very steady tailback last season, Watts was huge for the Frogs in the Texas Bowl victory over Houston. With Brown and Turner unavailable due to injury, Watts rushed for a team-high 46 yards on 12 carries. His 7-yard fourth-quarter scoring run provided the go-ahead points at Reliant Stadium. Watts scored TCU's first and last touchdowns on the season. Behind Watts is converted linebacker Luke Shivers (6-0, 205, RFr.). BY THE NUMBERS:
4 - Rushing touchdowns by Joseph Turner in last year's regular-season finale at San Diego State, representing the highest total by a Frog since Jeff Ballard in 2005 versus New Mexico
7 - Yards Justin Watts scored from to provide TCU's go-ahead touchdown in the 20-13 Texas Bowl win over Houston
69 - Career receptions by Brown, tops among all active TCU players
226 - Rushing yards by Turner at San Diego State, the most by a TCU player since Lonta Hobbs ran for 287 against Memphis in 2002
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