FORT COLLINS — It might take a two-man rotation, or it could evolve into a four-man committee. Barring a major surprise, Colorado State won’t have a featured back in the mold of Gartrell Johnson.
CSU’s history is waiting for the next 1,000-yard rusher to emerge. Johnson, a three-time team rushing leader, wasn’t always the all-Mountain West caliber runner of 2008. When the current San Diego Chargers rookie led CSU in rushing as a sophomore in 2006, he needed only 305 yards to top an unmemorable bunch.
The only experienced back this season is fourth-year junior John Mosure, the likely starter in the Sept. 6 Rocky Mountain Showdown opener at Colorado. Mosure forced his way on the field last season with his versatility as a receiver.
CSU coach Steve Fairchild is looking at the running back position to become a strength after a shaky spring, much like the development of the wide receivers a year ago.
“Right now I think it will take care of itself,” Fairchild said. “I think we’re not going to have one guy like Gartrell. We’re going to have a bunch of guys.”
The biggest improvement since the spring comes from junior college transfer Leonard Mason, likely the second back in the rotation. Position coach Anthoney Hill called the difference between fall and spring is “we’re a lot more assignment sound.”
Mason was frequently benched in April.
“I definitely know the plays now and I have much more confidence,” he said. “I was kind of panicked when I got here and didn’t know the playbook.”
The next biggest offensive surprises in camp are freshmen Chris Nwoke (pronounced woe-kay) of ThunderRidge and Lou Greenwood of Conroe, Texas. Hill calls them his “thunder and lightning” combo. Greenwood is under consideration as a return specialist too.
“Lou can do a lot of same things as Mosure catching out of the backfield,” Hill said. “Nwoke is a downhill guy like Gartrell but more nimble on his feet.”
Nwoke, a chiseled, 6-foot, 208-pounder, hopes to make the Johnson comparisons inevitable.
“Me and Gartrell have some of the same traits: We run downhill, like a lot of contact,” Nwoke said. “But I run like I’ve run my whole life.”
Fairchild recalls an earlier CSU stint when the Rams produced back-to-back seasons with two 1,000-yard rushers (Calvin Branch and Damon Washington in 1996, Washington and Kevin McDougal in 1997).
Twice this decade the Rams didn’t have a rushing leader reach 500 yards.
For now, everyone is in “whatever the coaches want” mode, although Mason admits, “I’d love to be the (every-down) guy.” Mosure said: “It’s about CSU football, it’s not about John Mosure. We’re all pushing each other.
Fairchild said: “Back in the days, they knew if someone got hot he was going to start taking over the game. That’s the beauty of doing that.”
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
