While we would have liked to see Bismarck, ND freshman Jake Miller redshirt this season for obvious reasons, we also understand the reasoning behind taking it off last weekend. With Mitch Sutton suffering from what looked to be a pretty bad concussion, all of the sudden depth became a concern and the coaching staff felt like they had to make the move. To their credit, Miller looks to be the type of player that everyone has talked about and he showed it on Saturday with 11 carries for 77 yards and 2 TD’s in his first collegiate action. He definitely still has some physical growth and maturing to do, and no doubt mentally as well.
Coming out of fall camp, Miller was listed 3rd on the depth chart as a true freshman, which means he definitely is talented. Had Sutton and Murray stayed healthy all year, we believe Ethan Magstadt and Spencer Bickel would likely have picked up spot duty when needed at running back to spell Sutton and Murray. Miller would have kept the redshirt season in that instance.
Another thing to consider – with Marcus Binns leaving the program recently, there was a void at running back for the underclassmen. Murray is a junior, Sutton is a sophomore and now Miller is a freshman eligibility-wise. This helps stagger things a bit more at the position with Breon Butler and Adam Shaugabay both redshirting this year. So next season, things will look like this at running back:
1. Josh Murray – senior
2. Mitch Sutton – junior
3. Ethan Magstadt – junior
4. Jake Miller – sophomore
5. Spencer Bickel- sophomore
6. Breon Butler – freshman
7. Adam Shaugabay – freshman
That’s some pretty good depth with tons of potential and talent. Also have to consider any unexpected attrition (see Binns) and I think this actually works out well for the team in terms of spreading things out at running back for the future. All indications are that Butler and Shaugabay will both add excitement to the field in 2011.
