I think they envision him as a hybrid FB/ super back. He’s a jumbo athlete.
He does have another year. He probably finishes his degree requirements this quarter.
I agree that Himon should be utilized more. I noticed that he has looked good between the tackles. His skill-set brings some dynamic opportunities if you get him in space. The coaches recognize his strengths. But it seems that they have a philosophy of running in a phone booth and believe that the big backs give them a better chance at success. Sometimes good players don't fit what coaches want to do. I hope the year doesn't end with a mutual agreement to move on.
Braun said Lujan told him they need to get the ball in Himon's hands more. Unless I missed it, there was no reference to making him "happy." It was in the context of adding productivity to the offense.
Reeder reminds me of Jeremy Larkin. I like that there is some depth in that position. I wish they would use more 2 back sets with Himon, shifting Himon to a slot some of the time or releasing him for a wheel route. Oregon runs a very effective short yardage (3rd and 3 or less) 2 back formation that uses a cross buck. NU has struggled in those situations.
I have no idea what the coaching staff or Himon feels about his returning next season. But I would wager that his low utilization will be a determining factor. Sometimes moving on is in the best interests of both parties.
We thought we were gonna see innovation with Lujan but so far,(1.5 years) hard to say we have seen much of any
Himon certainly is not trash or even close to it. I hope he stays, but with his a degree in hand, it wouldn’t shock me if he looked for an opportunity to be utilized more.
Were you engrossed in an episode of Wheel of Fortune when you posted this?
Seems like the obvious answer is to throw it to him (downfield) more often. I kinda remember him having a couple of drops tho
I thought it would provoke interest in identifying the players associated with the initials
Why we haven’t been running two back sets for years when we consistently have some actually quality backs and just horrible other skill players is beyond me. Heck, run some basic air raid split back 20 personal stuff.
I would agree on all except Mark. I think he got all the touches his physique could handle. Eventually he did get hurt.
One of my favorite Cats ever, and highly exciting. I was on the edge of my seat when he got the ball.
He was a WR for 2 years. His HS team was featured on ESPN and I could not believe he was going to NU. Eventually NU switched him to back to RB and paired him with Colter producing an exciting offense- an offense that I hope NU can resurrect
Mark was used a ton, You have to remember that as running back, they have to be able to block and protect the QB (and catch the ball coming out of the backfield) I would guess a couple of the others did not get as much of an opportunity as you would have liked for that reason. It is often how they fit into the whole system and if you have the assets around them to make them effective, Sometimes the weakness in OL or QBs meant certain backs or receivers could not be utilized effectively.
It's also a dumb list. Mark was an All American and star player as a RB and only left when he decided to transfer home. McGowan and Washington were underutilized because we didn't have a QB who could get them the ball plus just an incompetent passing philosophy in general. Himon is a complimentary player who we're getting better at utilizing multiple ways. Azema was a star safety who was fully utilized when healthy. John Moten? Ok, I guess, but he wasn't some burner nor particularly good. Vault? Yes, that's the one fair example of a guy we never figured out how to use, though he was also a classic guy who basically had no schools beyond speed.
I still contend we never got the full story with why Venric Mark left Northwestern one course short of a degree. He was from Tomball, Texas which is nearly a 9 hour car ride from West Texas A&M University where he ended up. As far as I am concerned, for someone who wanted to be closer to home, there were several other D1 universities that are closer to Tomball. Does anyone know the real story?
I am sorry my dumb list offended you.
. Hard to make everyone happy