Hugh Freeze said last week that quarterback Holden Geriner has turned heads during spring practice and is grasping the new system with ease.
This week, there appears to be another third-teamer from last season’s roster that is making a great impression on coaches.
In a recent meeting with the media, offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery says that he has been surprised by the efforts of sophomore running back Damari Alston.
“From Day 1, I thought (Alston) had a pretty good feel with what we were trying to do in the run game, with seeing it, setting up blocks, and still had that physicality about him,” Montgomery said. “But the speed that he brings… man, he’s got gears in there.”
How has Alston worked his way into the running back rotation this spring? He has split time with USF transfer Brian Battie in the second-team offense, with Jarquez Hunter spending the most time with the first-team squad. Montgomery says that he hopes to use a true three-man rotation at running back, which will mesh well with the expected uptick in tempo.
“It’s probably going to be some version of a rotation that’s going to happen in the backfield. I think being able to keep a guy healthy throughout the season is important for us,” Montgomery said. “We know what Jarquez (Hunter) is going to bring and how tough he is and the physicality that he brings, and being able to catch the ball out of the backfield and do those things. But I think all of those guys are bringing the same thing to the table and I’ve been really impressed with that room.”
Alston appeared in 12 games during his freshman campaign in 2022, where he rushed for 85 yards on 14 attempts. His highest output last season was a 38-yard outing against San Jose State on Sept. 10. He also broke open a 35-yard rush in the game, which is the longest run of his career.
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