BOULDER — What could possibly be quicker and more elusive than somebody nicknamed Speedy?
Perhaps Brian Lockridge. Colorado football coaches likened the tailback to the Energizer Bunny during his 2007 freshman season because the 5-foot-7, 180-pound Californian ran around nonstop. Lockridge had to redshirt last season while healing a sports hernia and befriended Rodney “Speedy” Stewart, who led the team in 2008 with 622 yards rushing as a freshman.
At 5-6, 170, Stewart is about Lockridge’s size. They have developed a good-natured rivalry. Stewart also is coming back from an injury, having suffered a season-ending leg fracture against Texas A&M.
Now they’re healthy and try to outdo each other at anything and everything.
Game on.
“It’s a pretty good competition they have going,” running backs coach Darian Hagan said Monday. “Each one wants to have the best body. They want to be the fastest. They go at it.”
Stewart added: “We both like to talk stuff. It’s all in good fun. It will make us better.”
It would come as a surprise if Lockridge were to leapfrog Stewart and sophomore Darrell Scott in the pecking order for carries this season. And junior Demetrius Sumler, though not flashy, has a workhorse mentality that coaches appreciate.
But somehow, coaches must find a way to get Lockridge involved, Hagan acknowledged.
“We’ll line that guy up all over the field,” Hagan said. “We’re going to try to get the ball in his hands. Very seldom does Brian Lockridge get caught from behind. We’ve got to use him. His speed is something we need. We missed him last year.”
Last season CU had just one running play that netted more than 40 yards: a 42-yarder by Scott against Texas A&M. A year earlier, Lockridge had two carries longer than that, bursting for 43 yards against Miami (Ohio) and for 47 against Iowa State. He also had a would-be 56-yard TD run against Miami nullified by a penalty.
“Brian is a playmaker,” Sumler said. “He brings a lot of speed, a lot of energy. People talk about ‘high motor.’ That guy goes full speed in walkthroughs sometimes.”
Already developing into a team leader, Lockridge said he will do whatever it takes to get on the field.
“If I can play running back, spot receiver, special teams, anywhere, I’ll do my best to contribute,” he said. “I’m at the bottom of the charts (at tailback) right now, but I expected that. I don’t expect to be there long. I encourage challenges, and this is one big challenge I have to get.”
Hagan said Lockridge might substitute for Stewart at times, and on occasion they could be on the field together. The redshirt year helped Lockridge, Hagan said, because he has become a smarter, more patient runner. It’s one thing to go full speed and another to outrun the blocking.
“With their size, those guys can hide back there,” 6-9, 305-pound junior tackle Nate Solder said of Stewart and Lockridge. “The defense is going have a hard time seeing them.”
Footnotes.
Freshman offensive guard Max Tuioti-Mariner has decided to rejoin the team rather than begin a two-year Mormon Church mission. Tuioti-Mariner is coming off two ACL surgeries. Coach Dan Hawkins said “we’ll see” when asked if Tuioti-Mariner can contribute this season. … Still awaiting his junior college transcript, wide receiver Andre Simmons has not been cleared to practice. … CU has one practice today, 9:45 a.m. to noon. It will be the first workout in full pads. On Wednesday, there will be two-a-day sessions (9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.). Thursday’s noon-3 p.m. scrimmage at Folsom Field will be the last session of August camp that is open to the public.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
