Brett Shweky // Staff Writer
Running back coach Tim Harris Jr. believes that the running back core could be the cornerstone of the Panthers’ offense.
“[We want to] get everyone in the group better, not just the guys that have played a good amount,” said Harris Jr. “Players that necessarily haven’t had a significant amount of playing time, I feel they have a great chance to improve their skill set going into Spring Training.”
With senior Alex Gardner and junior Anthony Jones returning, FIU brings in an experienced group of running backs.
In the 2016 season under Coach Harris Jr.’s leadership, both Gardner and Jones accumulated 1.492 yards rushing. To go along with 297 carries, the duo scored 10 touchdowns on the ground for the Panthers.
Gardner going into his senior year, owns the FIU all-time rushing record with 2,272 rushing yards. The senior currently ranks third in all-time touchdowns with 16.
The running game going into the 2017 season will be challenged by the loss of two starting offensive linemen. Both center Michael Montero and tackle Dieugot Joseph were large factors in the Panther ground game as they consistently established running lanes for the FIU runners.
Next season the Panthers will look to sophomore Dallas Connell and junior Neal Mars to help fill the gaps in the offensive line. Connell and Mars spent much of the 2016 season backing up Montero and Joseph, giving the players limited, however, valuable experience.
Coach Harris Jr. believes through the recruiting in previous years , the team has been able to create necessary weight.
“FIU has been able to add depth through recruiting,” the coach said. “Beyond the starters, we as a coaching staff believe that those guys have an opportunity to show that they can contribute at a high-level for the team.”
Prior to coaching at FIU, Harris Jr. was the head football coach for Booker T. Washington High School. Under his one-year tenure as a head coach for the Tornadoes, he led the team to their second 14-0 record, while also winning their third-straight Class 4A state title.
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