For the past three seasons, the Navy football team has been blessed with a slot back capable of going the distance every time he touched the ball.
Reggie Campbell and Shun White both possessed sprinter's speed that allowed them to break long gains after taking pitchouts on triple-option plays. Campbell ranks second on Navy's all-purpose yardage chart with 4,737 yards. White set the single-season school record for rushing yards by a slot back with 1,092 in 2008.
The Midshipmen do not have a slot as dynamic or dangerous as Campbell or White this season. However, the coaching staff believes a slot back-by-committee approach will result in typical production out of the position.
"While this year there is not one guy that stands out above the rest, as a whole I think the unit is very solid," second-year slot backs coach Joe DuPaix said. "We have a bunch of guys competing hard, working together and getting better day-by-day."
Senior Bobby Doyle and sophomore Mike Stukel are listed as starters on the latest depth chart. However, that will no doubt change several times during the season as no fewer than six slots have shown they have the ability to contribute.
Doyle is the leading returning rusher among slot backs, having gained 169 yards on 16 carries a year ago. Initially recruited as a quarterback out of Chardon High (Ohio), the 5-foot-11, 204-pounder averaged showed a knack for converting first downs while averaging a superb 10.6 yards per carry.
"We obviously have a lot to live up to. Over the last few years, the slots have been a big part of this offense," Doyle said. "I don't think it's going to be anything different this year. We're confident in ourselves, confident in each other that as a group we can get the job done."
Doyle and fellow senior Cory Finnerty are the elder statesmen among the slots. Finnerty started seven games last season and proved himself an outstanding perimeter blocker. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound California native broke a 22-yard touchdown run against Notre Dame and made a 19-yard reception versus Wake Forest.
"Those are your senior leaders. You expect those guys to step up and show the way," DuPaix said. "They have a responsibility to this corps to carry on the tradition, to make sure every slot back underneath them understand the expectations."
There are many intriguing prospects behind Doyle and Finnerty, including junior Andre Byrd and sophomores Marcus Curry, Cory James, Aaron Santiago and Stukel. Freshman Gee Gee Greene, a product of the Naval Academy Prep School and native of Columbia, S.C., has looked good early in preseason camp.
Curry emerged from spring camp as a starter after displaying an impressive combination of power and speed. However, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Texan has yet to practice this month after being hospitalized with a mysterious virus.
"Marcus is going to be behind. There is no doubt about it. He's got to get out here and work and compete and prove he can contribute," DuPaix said. "He's a big, physical back with speed and made a lot of plays in the spring. We need to get him back to that level."
Byrd has flashed potential in the past, but has been held back by nagging injuries. The 5-foot-7, 160-pounder, one of the quickest players on the team, has performed at a higher level so far this preseason.
"Andre has come out and competed very hard. I think the biggest thing is that he's stayed healthy," DuPaix said. "Mentally, he's shown a desire to get better every day. Physically, he's improved by working exremely hard in the weight room to get stronger."
While Navy may not have a breakaway threat the caliber of Campbell or White, DuPaix was quick to point out that Byrd, Curry, James and Stukel all possess solid speed.
"If we have green grass and white lines in front of us, we need to be able to take it to the house. I certainly feel like we have some guys who can do that," DuPaix said. "We also have some guys with some wiggle in them who can make people miss."
Ever since former head coach Paul Johnson installed the triple-option offense in 2002, the motto among the slot backs has been "A's make plays." That refers to the fact slots are considered "A" backs in Navy's system.
"That means making a big play on a run, a big play on a catch, or a big block to help someone else make a play with the ball," Doyle said. "There are so many things that we slot backs pride ourselves on whether it's running, catching or blocking."
Reggie Campbell and Shun White both possessed sprinter's speed that allowed them to break long gains after taking pitchouts on triple-option plays. Campbell ranks second on Navy's all-purpose yardage chart with 4,737 yards. White set the single-season school record for rushing yards by a slot back with 1,092 in 2008.
The Midshipmen do not have a slot as dynamic or dangerous as Campbell or White this season. However, the coaching staff believes a slot back-by-committee approach will result in typical production out of the position.
"While this year there is not one guy that stands out above the rest, as a whole I think the unit is very solid," second-year slot backs coach Joe DuPaix said. "We have a bunch of guys competing hard, working together and getting better day-by-day."
Senior Bobby Doyle and sophomore Mike Stukel are listed as starters on the latest depth chart. However, that will no doubt change several times during the season as no fewer than six slots have shown they have the ability to contribute.
Doyle is the leading returning rusher among slot backs, having gained 169 yards on 16 carries a year ago. Initially recruited as a quarterback out of Chardon High (Ohio), the 5-foot-11, 204-pounder averaged showed a knack for converting first downs while averaging a superb 10.6 yards per carry.
"We obviously have a lot to live up to. Over the last few years, the slots have been a big part of this offense," Doyle said. "I don't think it's going to be anything different this year. We're confident in ourselves, confident in each other that as a group we can get the job done."
Doyle and fellow senior Cory Finnerty are the elder statesmen among the slots. Finnerty started seven games last season and proved himself an outstanding perimeter blocker. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound California native broke a 22-yard touchdown run against Notre Dame and made a 19-yard reception versus Wake Forest.
"Those are your senior leaders. You expect those guys to step up and show the way," DuPaix said. "They have a responsibility to this corps to carry on the tradition, to make sure every slot back underneath them understand the expectations."
There are many intriguing prospects behind Doyle and Finnerty, including junior Andre Byrd and sophomores Marcus Curry, Cory James, Aaron Santiago and Stukel. Freshman Gee Gee Greene, a product of the Naval Academy Prep School and native of Columbia, S.C., has looked good early in preseason camp.
Curry emerged from spring camp as a starter after displaying an impressive combination of power and speed. However, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Texan has yet to practice this month after being hospitalized with a mysterious virus.
"Marcus is going to be behind. There is no doubt about it. He's got to get out here and work and compete and prove he can contribute," DuPaix said. "He's a big, physical back with speed and made a lot of plays in the spring. We need to get him back to that level."
Byrd has flashed potential in the past, but has been held back by nagging injuries. The 5-foot-7, 160-pounder, one of the quickest players on the team, has performed at a higher level so far this preseason.
"Andre has come out and competed very hard. I think the biggest thing is that he's stayed healthy," DuPaix said. "Mentally, he's shown a desire to get better every day. Physically, he's improved by working exremely hard in the weight room to get stronger."
While Navy may not have a breakaway threat the caliber of Campbell or White, DuPaix was quick to point out that Byrd, Curry, James and Stukel all possess solid speed.
"If we have green grass and white lines in front of us, we need to be able to take it to the house. I certainly feel like we have some guys who can do that," DuPaix said. "We also have some guys with some wiggle in them who can make people miss."
Ever since former head coach Paul Johnson installed the triple-option offense in 2002, the motto among the slot backs has been "A's make plays." That refers to the fact slots are considered "A" backs in Navy's system.
"That means making a big play on a run, a big play on a catch, or a big block to help someone else make a play with the ball," Doyle said. "There are so many things that we slot backs pride ourselves on whether it's running, catching or blocking."
