Too slow. Too young. Too injury-prone.
LSU’s running backs have heard it all. Now junior Stevan Ridley, senior Richard Murphy and redshirt freshman Michael Ford can silence the naysayers.
The Tigers were ranked No. 84 nationally in rushing yards with 1,596 and No. 83 in rushing touchdowns with 15 in 2009.
But the Tigers ran the football well with a fresh group of running backs in LSU’s spring game March 27. The white team averaged 6.7 yards per rush, and the purple team averaged 5.6 yards per rush.
Ridley said the trio has maintained a positive relationship while battling for playing time.
“Until one of us separates ourselves and distances ourselves from another, you’re going to see three backs in there,” Ridley said. “That’s not really a bad thing, because everybody will have fresh legs, and they’re going to be able to roll.”
Ridley had a knack for finding the end zone in 2009, ending the year as the starter after former running backs Charles Scott and Keiland Williams were injured. Ridley finished with three rushing touchdowns, only one less than Scott, despite only starting the final two games.
“The real game-time experience is going to give me a little edge coming into the season,” Ridley said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve sealed the spot by any means. But I’m definitely working hard to pick up where I left off, and I left off last year the starting back.”
The former fullback is beginning to acquire a running back’s frame. He said he’s already down to 225 pounds after playing the spring game at 242 pounds.
“I don’t know about my speed if it’s picked up that much, but I do definitely feel quicker with my cuts,” Ridley said. “I feel more explosive than I was before.”
LSU coach Les Miles said Murphy should also be elusive once again after recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last season against Vanderbilt. He is sporting the No. 18 jersey this season, passed down from past leaders Jacob Hester and Richard Dickson to the player who best represents LSU.
“That tells you who Murphy is,” Miles said. “Off the field, Richard Murphy is a great young man, and on the field they expect him to play with great talent and ability and make them proud of that number.”
Murphy, who has rushed for 442 yards and two touchdowns and has 19 receptions for 170 yards in 29 career games, said he is proud of the new number on his back. He formerly wore No. 26.
“It’s an honor to wear it,” Murphy said. “It makes you feel good. That’s the number everybody passed down. You’ve got a role to play. I feel I can be the guy to represent LSU on and off the field.”
The Tigers also boast freshman running backs Spencer Ware, Jakhari Gore, Connor Neighbors and Alfred Blue. But the rookie expected to contribute immediately is Ford, who redshirted last season.
He is the youngest and least known member of the starting trio, but the anticipation surrounding him is undeniable. He broke the rushing record at Leesville High School and turned heads at the spring game, running for a staggering 139 yards on 19 carries.
Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said Ford was fast, explosive and difficult to tackle throughout the spring.
“He’s got a chance to keep battling in there and see what happens when we get to our league play,” Crowton said. “I have a very positive feeling about Ford.”