Effort, Speed, Physicality The Message In UMass RB Room
UMass running backs coach Jeremy Larkin emphasizes strength in numbers
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass’ offense has provided a lot of excitement throughout the weeks of spring practice, but one position group that has grown noticeably is the running backs. The emergence of young stars like Da’Marion Alberic and Godson Ofonagoro, coupled with the display of veteran talent like Brandon Campbell and Rocko Griffin, has new Minutemen running backs coach Jeremy Larkin with some decisions to make.
Griffin is technically the new guy on the block, but his experience is vast. The redshirt junior, soon to be redshirt senior, is entering his sixth season of college football after transferring to UMass from UTSA. Prior to that, he spent three years at Vanderbilt playing in the SEC.
“(Griffin) brings great leadership and great preparation,” Larkin said. “I think something that he does really well is how he prepares every day. He provides energy and brings along the young guys at a really good pace.”
The Georgia native stands out from the rest as a high-powered back, finding his way through holes with punch instead of precision.
“Physically, he is powerful,” Larkin said. “He’s got a quick change of direction and he’s really been an every-down type of back.”
A player who specializes in patience is Brandon Campbell. His ability to wait for his blockers to get to their marks, and then glide through the open lanes, has been his specialty since he stepped foot into Amherst. The Houston native competed in 11 games for the Minutemen last season, gaining 239 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also proved his ability in the passing game with eight receptions on the year.
“(Brandon) brings experience and that leadership part of it,” Larkin said. “Having experience in a couple games at USC, as well as being at Houston, (it’s great).”
Not only does Campbell’s experience on a football field make an impact, but his time and effort off of it does just as much. The redshirt junior is always supporting his current and former teammates. He was one of a couple players at head coach Joe Harasymiak’s introductory press conference, as well as the 2025 UMass Pro Day.
Campbell and Griffin have both helped pave the way for less-experienced backs such as Alberic and Ofonagoro. The two youth pieces combined for one rushing attempt last season, both as freshmen. This spring, they have both proven to be important pieces in Larkin’s puzzle. Alberic, a three-star recruit out of high school, has lit up the gridiron with his ability to hit the corner with speed. Ofonagoro has shown similar skills, but also displayed his ability in the passing game in the last couple of weeks.
“Our depth at running has been really good,” Larkin said. “The biggest thing I’m focused on is what they can do really well. We want to figure out how they can mesh well and be able to use that.”
Cookie Desiderio is another play mentioned consistently. The Tulsa transfer saw action in two games in 2023, and is working hard to be an important piece in the Minutemen offense. Larkin underlined Desiderio's ability to succeed in short-yardage situations within the trenches, as well as being able to protect the quarterback.
“I would say (Desiderio) is doing a really good job,” Larkin said. “He’s a downhill physical type of player and you see it in the pass game and the run blocking.”
Larkin’s message has been simple: effort is a choice, not a skill.
“The bare minimum I ask is for you to play with great effort, speed and physicality,” he said. “That’s the bare minimum, and those have nothing to do with skills, it’s simply a choice.”
Saturday will be a chance for the fans to finally get a good look at what is in store for a position group with optimal depth.
“(The spring game) will be a rotation of three or four different guys depending on health,” Larkin said. “That’s why we are going a little tag-tempo so there will be a constant rotation of guys.”
The spring game is less than five days away from kicking off at Mcguirk Alumni Stadium.
The Minuteman Command has all of your spring football coverage, so stay tuned.
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