John Hunter<\/strong> said he is pleased with the effort of all of the Demon Deacon running backs in the first few days of camp. He also said Ellison is assuming a leadership role in the running backs room. \u201cChristian is doing a great job of assisting,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cBut Justice has gone over and beyond in terms of trying to help our young guys and bring them along. I\u2019m really, really proud of his maturity so far.\u201d<\/p>\nHunter said in order for Wake to have any chance at repeating last year\u2019s success, it can\u2019t just rely on Hartman\u2019s arm, and the athleticism of the receiving corps. \u201cAs always, we want to be a balanced offense. We have to be able to run the ball. We take great pride in that,\u201d he said this week. \u201cI always tell them, if all you can get on the play is what is blocked for, you may as well hand it to me, and nobody wants to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Follow The Leader<\/h3>\n
Ellison\u2019s role as the leader of the group is not coincidental. \u201cIt\u2019s an honor, first of all,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was done for me. Kenneth Walker<\/strong>, Christian Beal <\/strong>welcomed me in. They taught me the ropes. I was with them every day after practice, eager to learn. I wanted to help this team because it was bigger than me.\u201d<\/p>\nHe said he is just as eager now to pass that on down to the younger running backs like Demond Claiborne<\/strong> and Tate Carney<\/strong>. \u201cI know these guys have a future and a passion to want to help the team. So I am trying to prepare them as best as I can with the knowledge Coach Hunter has been giving me.\u201d<\/p>\nEllison said he is more of a lead-by-example kind of player. \u201cBut I know when to step in and be like, \u2018Hey, this is the way we do it.\u2019\u201d He added, \u201cYou want people to see the example, you want them to see you can do it the right way. I\u2019ve been trying to teach these young guys it\u2019s about what you do when nobody else is looking. That\u2019s going to separate you from the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another lesson Ellison is trying to impart to the younger players is that FBS football is the next level, so attention to detail matters. \u201cIn high school, everybody\u2019s athletic so you can just do what you want. But up here, it\u2019s about those small details. And in the NFL, it\u2019s even smaller. Coach Hunter is challenging me to make sure I\u2019m on top of my game, so others will follow.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Big Guys Up Front<\/h3>\n
The running game is only going to be as good as the guys up front blocking. Some offensive linemen were missing from Spring camp, as they rehabbed from surgeries or injuries. But now everyone is back as the Demon Deacons return the most experienced offensive line in the division in terms of game snaps.<\/p>\n
Ellison gets excited to see the starters like Spencer Clapp<\/strong> and Je\u2019Vionte’ Nash<\/strong> in front of him. \u201cEvery time I\u2019m in the backfield, I low-key smile,\u201d he said this week. \u201cI\u2019m like, \u2018Wow! We got our guys back.\u2019\u201d And then there is center Michael Jurgens<\/strong>. \u201cJurgens, that\u2019s my boy,\u201d Ellison said.<\/p>\nPie<\/h3>\n
He said there is a sense of responsibility, knowing this is Hartman\u2019s last year, and the last year for many on the ultra-experienced offensive line. He added that the trust relationship with his offensive line is like, \u201cPieces of a pie,\u201d with everyone on offense being a critical part of the pie.<\/p>\n
Hunter is clearly expecting a large pie. He talked about the depth at the position. \u201cQuinton Cooley\u2019s<\/strong> in the fold. Will Towns<\/strong> is coming along. And the young guys are showing some good things.\u201d He added, “The more we have, the healthier we will be in November.”<\/p>\nPie in the Fall always seems like a good idea.<\/p>\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a>