 "Photo: Paul Chouy")
Behind door number one is a team leader, skilled blocker and a productive pass catcher. Behind door number two is a powerful back with a quick burst of speed when hitting the hole. Behind door number 3 is a shifty back with good lateral quickness and the ability to break off the big run. Who do you choose as your running back?
If you're the Longhorn football team, you'll take all of the above. Each running back described above fits the description of the three competing to take the job for Texas this year: senior Chris Ogbonnaya, sophomore Vondrell McGee and redshirt freshman Foswhitt "Fozzy" Whitaker.
"They all bring something different to the table and the competition is only great for our team," said junior quarterback Colt McCoy.
But to the three running backs, it's anything but a competition.
"It's a committee [with] more than one person trying to win the starting spot," Whitaker said. "There's not really any heat."
The running backs' positive attitude has impressed the new running backs coach Major Applewhite. Applewhite, a former Texas quarterback who battled for the spot with Chris Simms for two years, knows all about how battling for a prestigious starting position can turn ugly.
"You would think with three guys going for one spot that there would be some guys that are a little bit self-centered, but all three help each other on and off the practice field," Applewhite said. "They get excited when the other one picks up a blitz; they get excited when the other one makes a run. That's what you want."
Obognnaya has been used mainly in the past as a third-down back due to his pass-catching and blocking ability. In the off-season, he focused on losing weight to get speed back to try to help him become an every-down runner.
"To me, it's whatever I can do to help the team," Obognnaya said. "I stopped eating McDonald's and started eating salads. It was difficult, but it had to be done."
McGee was used primarily as a short-yardage back last season. Nicknamed "Bulldozer" McGee, he doesn't dance around in the backfield. He picks his whole, makes a move and bursts through the line taking on anything in his path. The 5-foot-10-inch, 205-pound running back rushed 75 times for 325 yards and eight touchdowns last year.
"I bring power, enthusiasm and quickness," McGee said. "It was good getting a feel for the game last season and getting adjusted to the speed of the game."
Whitaker is the only running back yet to play at the college level. He's been getting rave reviews in practice and drew applause two days in a row at the open football practices last week for breaking off a touchdown run. Whitaker is known for his lateral quickness and shifty moves. At 5 feet 10 inches, Whitaker reminds some of former Longhorn running back Hodges Mitchell.
The speedster from Pearland said that blocking is the area of his game that needs the most improvement. But that's what Applewhite is for - to work with the runnning backs on blocking. And as the saying goes, "you can't coach speed."
While it hasn't been decided who will be the starter, one thing is for sure: all three will see plenty of playing time.
"One of them could have the hot hand on Saturday and he's going to play more," Applewhite said. "That's just the way you are going to have to substitute them."
It will be like a revolving door, with the guy from doors one, two and three all ready to take their turn.
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