Running back Khalfani Muhammad of the California Bears led his team last season with 445 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 6.0 yards per rush (best among regulars) and 1,638 all-purpose yards, as well as school records of 46 kick returns and 1,006 kick return yards.
Muhammad was also named to the watch list for the 2014 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse. The award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung.
“It’s great that we are able to acknowledge outstanding players who contribute any way possible to help their team win,” Hornung said to Calbears.com of the 47 players on the watch list. “Doing what it takes to win was a trait that I learned early in my athletic career and carried with me to Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers. I look forward to following the players on our watch list during the upcoming season. And I enjoy watching many of our winners and finalists from the first four years as they make their marks in the NFL.”
Keep in mind, Muhammad is entering just his sophomore season. What he has done already is quite impressive, given that he had an injury-stressed offensive line all of last season, and that he wasn’t even the full time starter. I cannot stress how good this kid can be. As I wrote before, he could be the next Jahvid Best for the Bears.
Head coach Sonny Dykes expressed his excitement for the young player as well.
“Khalfani had a really good freshman campaign,” he said via Calbears.com. “We played a lot of young guys, and Khalfani was one of the bright spots.”
The difference between Muhammad and other running backs is how versatile he can be. The combination of being able to run behind the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield gives the Bears a Danny Woodhead kind of weapon. Jared Goff, the starting quarterback, will benefit from his presence as well. A running game is desperately needed for the young QB to soar. A receiving running back definitely can’t hurt.
The Bears open the 2014 season at Northwestern on Aug. 30 then heading back home to their home season opener against Sacramento State. Despite going 1-11 in 2013, expectations are still pretty high for the young and talented team.
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