Randle beginning to feel lofty expectations

By Ryan Greene (contact)

Friday, May 8, 2009 | 2:15 a.m.

Buzz alone already has set lofty expectations for incoming UNLV freshman running back Bradley Randle.

The buzz hit the highly-touted ballcarrier the hardest on Wednesday night, as he was sitting on his couch in Murrieta, Calif.

During a commercial break in Game 2 of the NBA's Western Conference semifinals between the Lakers and Rockets, he flipped over to The Mtn.

"They were talking about how they're expecting me to come out and compete as a good running back, just talking about me," he said. "I was at home, watching with my dad, and I was kind of freaked out.

"My dad taught me at a young age that it doesn't matter what age you are, it's all about your talent. I believe that I have the ability to show off my talent as a true freshman this upcoming season."

More than anything, the 5-foot-9 Randle said it served as a giant wake-up call.

So what did he do first?

"I actually did about 500 crunches last night," he said with a chuckle. "Just to show myself that I can do this, and it's there for the taking. I'm ready for it. That's why I chose (UNLV)."

Now that Randle has seen himself as the subject of television analyst fodder, he knows for sure that the 1,605 yards he ran for as a senior at Vista Murrieta High and his 6.7 yards-per-carry average alone won't get him the starting job out of a crowded race in the backfield, let alone get him on the field.

He's already up to 198 pounds, and said that combined between his workouts at home and those to come once he arrives on campus early next month, he hopes to enter the 2009 season at 205 pounds.

Most of the work, he said, must be done on his lower body.

For anyone who was able to spot Randle out of the crowd of incoming freshmen at last month's spring game, it was easy to notice that he already has the burly upper-body build to hold his own in the Mountain West Conference.

"I've gotta work on my lower body -- My upper body is there," he said. "For my legs, I do about 350 lunges with a weight vest. That gets my legs wobbly."

The lunges, he said, are followed by numerous reps of squats and drills to perfect his footwork.

The running back battle in fall camp will probably draw more focus than any other area -- followed in a close second by the defensive backfield.

No one emerged as a clear-cut favorite atop the depth chart at the conclusion of spring ball. Senior Chris Brogdon and sophomore C.J. Cox currently hold tentative spots, separated by an 'or', atop the list, followed by junior Channing Trotter and redshirt freshman Imari Thompson.

Coach Mike Sanford indicated at the conclusion of the 15-practice spring schedule that Randle will be able to enter camp with no one on a pedestal to begin the competition.

"There's some talented guys, and I'm pretty sure there's gonna be specific uses for all of us," Randle said. "Hopefully they look at me as the every down back.

"I know I can probably be what they need. That's why I wanted to go there. As far as the backs go, they're talented guys and it's gonna be fun competing against them."

Sanford selected his words carefully when originally describing Randle on signing day back in February, but it could be sensed from the excitement in his voice that Randle may very well be the real deal.

He could turn out to be a jewel as a guy who was sort of a late-bloomer, not putting up big numbers until his senior year of high school.

"He's gonna compete (for the starting job), no question," Sanford said at his signing day press conference. "He is a very special player. I would compare him -- I know it's a huge comparison -- he is a Barry Sanders type of back. Not gonna say he's as good as Barry Sanders, I'm not gonna make that claim, but he is very fast, very elusive, makes people miss, just one of those slasher-type guys."

Even though Randle might carry more immediate expectation than any other incoming prospect on the offensive side of the ball for the Rebels, competing for playing time is nothing he plans on complaining about or shying away from.

No matter what they say on TV.

"I'm happy people are noticing me," he said humbly. "I got overlooked for other running backs, the 6-foot-1, 5-11-type guys. I like being the underdog. I've got a lot of ability to show, and I want to let it be known that I'm one of those good guys, and you can put me up there with those 6-1 and taller running backs."