If you want to include the whole state, look no further than Louisville's Michael Bush. He looks as if he will be playing on Sundays in his future

Who would you consider the top 5 to 7 backs from East KY over the last 20 years? Once we have a list of players we can break it down one by one and answer your question.

 

Guru, I believe Brewdog had another thread asking who were the best backs from EKY in the last 20 years. There was an pretty extensive list if you would like to check it out.

I'll buy that. I know West went to Marshall and apparently decided not to play. It just seems like someone, over the years, should and would have made a statement.

 

 

Michael West did go to Marshall and he wanted to play but he was not given a schloarship like he was promised after his first year there. So he left Marshall but returned last year after Bob Pruitt asked him to rejoin the team. But then Pruitt left and with Bradshaw there now and next year Marshall getting the kid from Ironton, West will not have a chance to play or make the team.

There have been some special backs over the years from Eastern Ky. But I can't remember a great one at all????

Maybe that kinda sheds light on the subject.

As in.....every momma crow thinks her baby crow is the blackest.....everyone here in East Ky. thinks that everytime we have a back that rushes for 200+ yards in a game that he is the next Walter Payton. Truth is... we just don't have great backs. Very good, yes. Great??? Have not seen them. Have you?

Could someone name ANY back from any part of the state (not named Shaun Alexander)

Who has Been an impact at a major D1 school in the last 20 years?

Could someone name ANY back from any part of the state (not named Shaun Alexander)

Who has Been an impact at a major D1 school in the last 20 years?

Eric Shelton

Could someone name ANY back from any part of the state (not named Shaun Alexander)

Who has Been an impact at a major D1 school in the last 20 years?

Chris Barclay at Wake has been pretty good...

Scott Russell comes to mind. The Bailey kid from Pikeville 16 years ago also comes to mind.

Who would you consider the top 5 to 7 backs from East KY over the last 20 years? Once we have a list of players we can break it down one by one and answer your question.

I'd say in no order:

Mike West (Lawrence County)

Arliss Beach (Ashland)

Chris Hutt (Ashland)

Jaun Thomas (Ashland)

Scott Russell (Evarts)

 

There are about 10-15 that are also special that could be argued but that would be my top 5 right off my head.

 

West got jerked around and got the shaft at Marshall.

Beach is at UK.

Hutt got hurt his Freshman year at Marshall.

Thomas went the baseball route. He played first base and got stuck behind Frank Thomas at Chicago in Frank's prime. He finally asked to be traded when he started DHing and he went to Seattle. Edgar Martinez and John Olaraud both made the All Star team there as firstbaseman and DH. He had some bad luck!

Scott Russell I don't have a clue about?

It just seems as though that the Eastern Kentucky backs have been limited by either size, speed or grades or they were better on defense. If you look back over the last 20 years and take away the UK and UL signees the state has struggled to produce many difference makes on the D1 level. The fact is population wise this is a small state and sports wise it is a basketball oriented state--case in point Chris Lofton, all-state in football but playing (and should be) D1 basketball. Obviously our talent level is increasing--see our record against Tennessee's all-star teams the last few years. However, there are only what 118 D-1 programs and only what 40-45 that are in good in any given year? With most teams now using a featured back and California, Texas, and Florida providing the majority of the players I don't think Alexander, Shelton, and Bush are anything to be ashamed of. The fact is the difference between D-1 and NAIA might me 2 inches, 20 pounds, or .2 seconds on the forty. Those things don't measure heart, could there have been a better showing out of EKY the last 20 years--maybe we wouldn't be seeing the next Payton but they would do all right. The cold, hard truth is you have to look the part to get a chance. And most of the EKY backs don't pass the "look" test.

Guru, I believe Brewdog had another thread asking who were the best backs from EKY in the last 20 years. There was an pretty extensive list if you would like to check it out.

 

No, that wasn't my thread. That thread did get me wondering why none of those great backs excelled beyond HS.

Because hardly any of the backs have been 6'2 220 lbs.

Quite possibly the level of competition played in the east is inferior then in other parts of the state and these inflated numbers that RB's in the east have from time to time come against opponents that are not nearly as good as say teams from NKY, Louisville and Lexington. Play better competition and then your RB's can be more fairly Judged.

Could someone name ANY back from any part of the state (not named Shaun Alexander)

Who has Been an impact at a major D1 school in the last 20 years?

Travis Prentise- DuPont Manual Louisville KY. Set records at Miami of Ohio, brief stint in the NFL with Browns and Vikings.

Quite possibly the level of competition played in the east is inferior then in other parts of the state and these inflated numbers that RB's in the east have from time to time come against opponents that are not nearly as good as say teams from NKY, Louisville and Lexington. Play better competition and then your RB's can be more fairly Judged.

 

Whoa now, Thats a mighty big generalization there.

 

It seems to me that some folks on here focus primarily on recent years, the local players they have been able to see, and/or things they have HEARD or READ. As much as I love HS football and try to get round to see games in other areas (AND States!) I dont see anywhere close to a decent percentage of the good backs in the country. I think we need to realize there is a lot more to the issue than what some of us on here might call "a success" or "a big-time back"

 

FIRST is academics. If players wait until they start getting noticed in their Jr / SR years to get their grades in line - its probably too late. (too many other comparable players who DO have their academics in line)

 

SECOND is a balance. Anyone whose seen what major D1 athletes(in about any sport) have to juggle with the sport and then try to have time to do their studies - Its insane & not fair(in my humble opinion). I have encouraged many a student & family to focus on small schools wher they can get an education and "enjoy" playing the game they love.

 

THIRD is injuries. No one is immune from a major injury or series of injuries (no matter their HS level of competiton). I saw Carlos Snow (CAPE) play several times and he was considered #1 or #2 with Emmit Smith coming out of HS. Snow hurt his hip @ OSU and Smith is going to the Hall of Fame. Who knows?

 

FOURTH is fate/luck (hometown folks often call it "he was done wrong")

Sometimes the combination of coaches, schools, timing, other players, etc. just bumps someone out of the chance to be a major contributor.

 

Ill just throw in my opnion on Ashland's:

Arlis Beach - has fought through a zillion injuries and rehabbed in order to be a contributor for a team that needs him AND has done pretty well when they have given him a chance. I venture to say a lot of other kids would not have stuck it out in the situaton UK is in? Thats pretty big-time to me. :thumb:

 

Chris Hutt - played on special teams as a freshman for Marshalls National Championship team and blew out his knee. Rehabbed and blew out another knee the next year. As bad as wanted & tried to get back, I am glad he did not do so. Its better to be able to pickup your grand kids than to try and extend some glory another year or 2 :walk:

 

P.S. I remember watching Trinity shut down S.Alexander & Boone Co in the finals his Sr year. After the game their were several quotes in the paper that their were plenty of backs in the Louisville area better than Alexander. That just goes to show that you never know - huh :confused:

 

Cheers, Woody Jr