Coming into the 2003 season, the MSU running backs are overshadowed, undersized, thin on depth and inexperienced - but that might not be a bad thing.
After the Spartans lost their top two running backs from last season - Dawan Moss to graduation and David Richard to Missouri on a transfer - the running corps were looking depleted.
But in head coach John L. Smith's new wide-open offense, junior Tyrell Dortch and sophomore Jaren Hayes have the coaching staff feeling good about the group and how they fit in the system.
"Both of those guys have done a nice job of learning the offense," offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin said. "Dortch has tremendous ability to adjust in the hole and Hayes is a back who hides behind the lineman real well."
In Smith's new offensive scheme, almost all plays call for one back sets that allow the running back to be a threat on the ground or through the air, a major difference from last season's traditionally stacked backfield and forward running mentality.
The result was a 10th place finish in the Big Ten for rushing yards.
"Last year, where the fullback went, the running back was going," Dortch said. "It's been a lot easier this year, because backs can see the holes."
After suffering a horrific broken leg at Wisconsin in 2001, Dortch took last season off to recover and has made an incredible comeback to challenge for the starting role at running back this season.
"Tyrell suffered as bad an injury as you'll see," Smith said. "He's come a long way, but he still has to fight through the mental part of the injury."
Dortch says the running backs are being overlooked in the offense because there has been a big focus on the quarterbacks and wide receivers.
"Everybody thinks we're a passing team, but we have some true running backs on this team," Dortch said. "We have versatile guys who can block, receive, as well as run the ball."
The backs might look diminutive - Dortch is listed as 5-foot-10 and 203 pounds and fellow running back Hayes is 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds. But Dortch says both he and Hayes are capable of handling whatever comes at them this season.
"Size doesn't matter. Look at Fred Russell at Iowa and Anthony Davis at Wisconsin," Dortch said. "The bottom line is you have to go out and get the job done."
The team has neither depth or experience at the position, listing only seven running backs on roster with only five varsity letters among them. The class breakdown is three freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors, but the coaching staff says there are a few freshmen who could make an impact at the position.
Depth is an issue freshmen linebackers Jehuu Caulcrick and Maurice Smith-Davis are drilling on an alternating basis at practice as running backs.
"A freshman will have to step up and contribute at some point this season," Baldwin said. "Bobo (Sylvester) Brown looks good, but we won't be able to make a decision until we get into full pads."
Baldwin stressed this team wants to run the football, despite the passing style of offense, and concerns of not having a go-to man in the backfield.
"Anytime you get a 100-yard rusher in a game, you have a chance to win," Baldwin said.
