Aug. 15, 2012
Photo Gallery - Running Backs | Photo Gallery - Practice
Bronx, N.Y. -
The 2012 Fordham University fall football camp is in full swing as the Rams approach the end of the second week of camp and there's plenty going on.
The big news out of camp this week is the addition of sophomore quarterback Michael Nebrich, a transfer from UConn, and Patrick Murray garnering another preseason All-America award. But before we get to that, let's continue to take a look at the 2012 personnel as we highlight the Fordham running backs.
The Fordham offensive backfield took a huge hit with the graduation of Darryl Whiting, last year's leading rusher, who provided the Rams with a big, powerful ball carrier. To take his spot, the Rams have moved some players around, moving senior Carlton Koonce from receiver and placing him in the offensive backfield, his natural position. Despite not having many reps in the backfield, Koonce give the Rams experience at the position.
In the spring, Koonce gained 77 yards on eleven carries with two touchdowns in the 2012 Spring Game while last fall, he appeared in all eleven games as a junior, starting eight. He tied for team lead with 38 catches and four receiving touchdowns, recording 309 receiving yards on the 38 catches (8.1 yards/reception). Koonce also rushed eleven times for 77 yards and two scores and his six total touchdowns led the squad.
In 2010, Koonce appeared in all eleven games for the Rams, after transferring from Hofstra, and he rushed 38 times for 148 yards (3.9 yards/carry) with two touchdowns.
What the Rams lack in experience at running back, they more than make up for in quality and quantity as Fordham can feature a three-headed attack in the backfield as Koonce will be joined by sophomore Jeramie Brown and freshman Jared Crayton in sharing the ball carrying duties.
Brown closed out the 2012 spring season as the second leading rusher in the Spring Game, picking up 44 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns. He also caught one pass in the game for five yards.
Despite not getting any carries last fall, Brown, a graduate of L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas, rushed for 974 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior in 2010.
Crayton joins Fordham after a standout career at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, N.J., where he was named HCIAL Red Division Offensive Player of the Year last fall. A First Team All-Hudson County selection, Crayton was also named Hudson County Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed 124 times for 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2011 and also made 21 catches for 234 yards and three scores.
Other running backs who figure into the equation are senior Daniel Avedesian, sophomores Kevin Soares, Jack Bandazian, and freshmen Andrew Erenberg and Joe Stefanik.
Avedesian, who moves from linebacker to fullback and who picked up nine yards on two caries in the first scrimmage of camp, appeared in three varsity games last fall, making one tackle in the Holy Cross game.
Soares, who rushed three times in the 2012 Spring Game, did not see varsity action. A graduate of Croton-Harmon High School in Croton, New York, he was an All-Section pick in football as well as a two-time All-League selection. Soares, who was named 2010 CHHS Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, helped team to 2008 Eastern NY state championship.
Bandazian, who is also a member of the Fordham track and field squad, missed the 2011 season with an injury. He is a graduate of Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, N.J., where he was named First Team All-Bergen County in 2009. Bandazian was also selected as a First Team All-League selection at running back in 2010, despite missing six games.
Erenberg, a product of Peters Township High School in McMurray, Pennsylvania, was a First Team All-State selection and First Team All-Conference pick last fall. He was also named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 22 team and served a team captain. Erenberg rushed for 1,350 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior.
Stefanik, who spent the 2011 season at Vermont Academy where he was an All-New England and All-Evergreen League selection with the football squad, is a graduate of Ramapo High School in Ramapo, New Jersey. He was a member of the 2009 Group 3 NJ State Champion at Ramapo and was named 2009-2010 All-Big North. Stefanik gained 1,650 total yards, including 1,106 rushing yards, and scored 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Seniors Anthony Lubischer and Langston Lacroix, and junior Kevin Scanlon are recovering from injuries suffered during the spring season.
Notes
Rams Add UConn Transfer Michael Nebrich: The Fordham starting quarterback competition took an interesting turn on Monday when sophomore quarterback
Michael Nebrich joined the team after transferring from the University of Connecticut where he played last year for Fordham head coach
Joe Moorhead, who was the quarterback coach for the Huskies.
Nebrich, who appeared in appeared in eight games as a freshman at Connecticut, brings a wealth of accolades to Rose Hill. A graduate of Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, he was a First Team All-State player and Player of the Year in 2010 and was also named Metro Player of the Year by the Washington Post. As a senior, Nebrich broke the Virginia state record for all-purpose yards with 4,968 and also scored 59 TDs as the team won its second consecutive Northern Region and Patriot District titles. He also passed for a state record 3,831 yards and had a state-record 262 completions along with 38 TDs (tied for seventh in state history).
Murray Garners Another Preseason All-America Award: The preseason accolades are piling up for senior punter Patrick Murray, who was recently named Second Team Preseason All-America by the College Sports Journal. This marks the fifth preseason All-America honor for Murray, who was previously honored by The Sports Network, the College Sporting News, College Sports Madness and the College Football Preview.
Defense Looking for Turnovers: A priority for the Fordham defense throughout camp has been to force turnovers. Over the past few practices, the Ram defense has been coming up with some interceptions but they haven't forced many fumbles. In practice this week, an emphasis has been placed on the defense forcing turnovers as well as on recovering and returning the turnovers.
