Marcus Shaw Primed for 2011

Speedster Marcus Shaw is healthy and could be a huge weapon this season out of the backfield (Picture: www.usfnation.com)

The Bulls are hoping the 2011 season will see more production out of the running back position. Last year, Mo Plancher and Demetris Murray carried the workload, taking the leg work away from Daniels as they tried to keep him healthy and not take a beating carrying the ball so many times (no thank you Leavitt).

The Bulls have a solid running back group entering the Fall. Demetris Murray is the leading returner rusher and helps provide a solid, consistent running attack (pass catching threat as well) and the much-talked about Darrell Scott helps bring a physical style to the running attack. A name that is not being talked about as much is the number three running back, sophomore Marcus Shaw. Shaw, seeing only 8 games last season, could be a secret weapon this season and could help the offense explode. [keep reading]

Shaw, the 5-9 187-pound speedster showed up last season as a fast, shifty running back out of the backfield. He played in 8 games, carrying the ball only 12 times and rushing for 105 yards and one touchdown that came off of a huge 63 yard run. He also caught 2 passes for 22 yards.

Shaw was shut down after just 8 games last season as he struggled with academics. Holtz made the move most likely to keep Shaw from becoming ineligible and to help him focus on his personal academics without the constant grind of football season. Shaw got himself straightened out and returned to the Spring practices ready to go but missed the latter half of the practices and Spring game after breaking his thumb. He is fully healthy and with the team in Vero Beach.

We have talked a lot about Murray and Scott on this site (tired of their names yet? We aren't). Shaw is a name that everyone needs to take note of. With Aycock hanging it up and Battles working his way back from his ACL tear last season, Shaw is in a prime position to get a lot of carries and make a huge impact to start the season.

Shaw runs the 40 in 4.4 seconds, that is simply raw speed. With the pounding attack of Murray and Scott, Fitch and Holtz could throw Shaw out there as a different pace of running style. We saw later in the season that Fitch went more to the option game to help Daniels create more on his feet and get the ball out of the center of the field and stretch it with the team speed. With Shaw's speed, he could be a huge weapon in the option game or breaking runs to the outside where he can use his feet to outrun everyone out there.

I don't think Shaw will get hundreds of carries this season, especially with Murray and Scott ahead of him, but he is a prime speed weapon that needs to be unleashed and special plays designed for him to create.