Running back position uncertain in 2014

By Matt Overing | Football beat writer

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UK running backs saw their fair share of abuse in 2013.

The Cats finished last in the SEC in rushing attempts and third-to-last in yards per attempt. Nearly one-third of those attempts were made by sophomore quarterbacks Jalen Whitlow and Maxwell Smith.

In 2014, the running backs situation is murky. Senior Raymond Sanders (eight starts last season) and sophomore Dyshawn Mobley (one start) are gone, but UK will bring in four running backs to shore up the position.

Braylon Heard, a junior, transferred from Nebraska. Demitrious Davis, a sophomore, transferred from Pittsburgh. Early-enrollee Mikel Horton (Lakota West High School, West Chester, Ohio) and Stanley “Boom” Williams (George Walton Academy, Monroe, Ga.) are two talented freshmen who could see the field.

They’ll be challenging incumbent sophomore Jojo Kemp, a fan favorite for his dynamic runs (he led the team with 482 yards last year) and incoming junior Josh Clemons, who sat out last year due to injury but has impressed coaches in spring practice.

“All during our winter stuff, (Clemons) has been the biggest positive surprise to me,” said offensive coordinator Neal Brown. “Anything he can give us is a plus because he’s had so much adversity. We’re going to take care of him, he’s not going to go any back-to-back days in spring.”

Clemons was hurt last summer. Heard and Kemp have battled injuries this spring, opening the door for Horton to receive more time with the first team.

Head coach Mark Stoops likes Horton’s size (6-foot-1, 236 pounds) and skill combination.

“He’s getting a bunch of reps,” Stoops said. “He’s a long way off, but he’s what we want talent-wise. It’s good experience for him right now.”

Running backs coach Chad Scott said that Horton needs to run more north and south and less east-to-west.

Scott also commented on the depth at the running back position compared with last year.

“I’ve got a stable,” Scott said. “I’ve got some talent. These guys push each other. It’s competitive out there.”

Heard is the most explosive horse in the stable, he said.

“He still has to work on some things, but he has breakaway speed that we didn’t have last year,” Scott said. “He can score from anywhere on the field.”