Ramirez, Coleman, Knox, Dean, Franklin and Carter
UCLA has plenty of options at running back, and 15 practices this spring to sort most of it out.
The favorite to grab the bulk of the carries is Christian Ramirez, who was academically ineligible last season, but Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel brought up an interesting scenario in saying he expects Derrick Coleman and Ramirez to be on the field together.
"We'll try to get maybe two tailbacks on the field at the same time in what we call pony personnel, where we will have a Christian Ramirez and a Derrick Coleman on the field at the same time," Neuheisel said. "I think that will help give everybody enough chances to prove that they are ready or that they're not ready.''
wow...im really shocked Ramirez is getting all this love. Never would have espected it from what i saw of him he in 08 he looked awkward running the ball. Maybe his shoulders were to high?
Oh well if the staff likes him what do i know...
This has got to be a stellar, dream-about-it backfield! Ramirez blew them away a couple of years ago when he carried the rock against...who was it...BYU? I forget. Anyway, he surprised the heck out of me, and I'm happy to see him the leader of the pack at the moment. He's a tough kid, likes to dish it out as well as take it, and may have 'NFL' stamped all over him. Go Bruins!
ramirez...nfl? like seriously what the hell?? we're still at this talent level?? he's JUCO talent at best. are we an over-glorified juco program for goodness sake's... aaahhhh!!!
what about dean?
With the stable of backs that we have, each one contributes different things... Both Ramirez and Coleman are north-south yard grinders with DC being the best of the 2 (6'0, 235ish.) I can see how CRN is considering the 2 back formation with these two as their size allows either of them to block for the other on sweep plays. Dean is a finesse back who bounces off people and is very elusive once he gets into the secondary and the open field. Knox is is a little dynamo at 5'8" and 205ish. Carter is a great all-purpose back (6'0 and 215ish) who was a stud at Crenshaw. He tore his ACL in '07 so he may be injury prone. Franklin played (RB & LB) while at Dorsey and is a speed demon. Conditioning and work ethic will be a huge factor in figuring out where each will fall on the depth chart.