Texas Tech University Athletics
Running Back's Spring Profile
April 13, 2005 | Football
April 13, 2005
By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations
Texas Tech's new running back coach Seth Littrell has entered an optimal situation. His squad is captained by record-setting senior Taurean Henderson, and freshman redshirt Shannon Woods is poised to serve as an integral part of the rotation. Last season, Henderson finished third in the NCAA among all active players with 46 career touchdowns and ranked 14th in rushing touchdowns.
"I think he'll be better this fall than last fall. He's getting better each day. You don't have to worry about Taurean, or Shannon. They're always going to come out here and work hard, and that's what I love about the group. There's not one guy in the group who doesn't work hard," said Littrell.
Littrell took over the reins of Tech's running game in January after Bill Bedenbaugh moved over to coach the offensive line. The former Oklahoma running back was a captain on OU's 2000 NCAA Championship team and spent last season as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Kansas.
"I came into a good situation with Coach Bedenbaugh having coached the running backs last year. He's a sharp guy and a great technician and also played O-Line. The O-Line and the running backs, they work hand in hand, so we work a lot of drills together," Littrell stated.
The offensive line lost three starters after the 2004 season, so Bedenbaugh is taking advantage of spring drills to bring his new players up to par.
"Everything is fine. They have a great coach there, Coach Bill. He was my running back coach last season, so I know he's a good coach and he's getting the guys in there and learning the scheme and they'll get the job done," said Henderson.
The offense will also have to adjust to a new quarterback, and Head Coach Mike Leach isn't likely to make a decision in that department until August.
"Chip (Cody Hodges) and Graham (Harrell), with our steps and handing the ball off to us they're a little different, that's really the only thing," said Woods.
Henderson agrees that the switch will be an easy one.
"It's really no adjustment. I've been practicing with those guys since last year, and me and Cody came in together. I've been with him ever since then. So it's really just getting out there and practicing and getting ready for the season," Henderson added.
Last season Henderson joined an elite list of 33 collegiate football players with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards during their careers. He is also the only player in history among current Big 12 schools to rush for 2,000 yards and receive for 1,500 yards during a career.
Henderson is required to take a certain number of units this semester to graduate and be eligible for his senior season, so Woods has been getting a majority of the reps during the week while Henderson focuses on academics. The experience will no doubt prove to be valuable for Woods when the season rolls around.
"It helps him a ton. He's only going to get better because he's a redshirt freshman, so he needs a lot of reps. He's done very well. I'm very pleased with his effort. What he's getting in the film room, he's transferring onto the field. I can't say enough about him. He's done really well, probably better than expected," Littrell added.
Woods, who hails from McKinney, Texas, will be competing for playing time with returning letterwinner Taurance Rawls, who saw playing time in 11 games during the 2004 season. Rawls has been hindered by a few injuries this spring, so Littrell is eager to see what he can do when he gets back on the field. Senior Caesar Martinez rounds out Littrell's arsenal.
"Caesar Martinez, he's done a great job. He's a work horse, he knows the whole offense, and I wouldn't be scared to throw him in there if we needed him," stated Littrell.
The foursome will be battling against the Red Raider defense Sat., April 16, in the annual Red-Black Game at 1 p.m. at Jones SBC Stadium. The scrimmage will be preceded by the alumni game at 11 a.m.
