Running back Justin Silmon eyes expanded role in Kansas State’s offense

Few Kansas State football players have more upside than Justin Silmon.

Anyone who watched the sophomore running back shed tacklers and score touchdowns last season understands how good he can be. Silmon averaged 65 rushing yards in K-State’s first four games, pulling off the run of the season against Texas-San Antonio and emerging as the focal point of the offense in an overtime win against Louisiana Tech.

But it takes more than upside to thrive at K-State. Silmon learned that lesson the hard way when he suddenly vanished from the Wildcats’ offense and averaged 10.5 rushing yards the rest of the way.

“It just had to do with me learning my playbook, probably being better at pass protection, just being more reliable,” Silmon said earlier this week. “Running the ball, coaches believe in me. But they might have some question marks if they can rely on me. That probably hurt me.”

Silmon, at times, was obviously out of place last season. When K-State coach Bill Snyder realized the talented runner was lining up and blocking for incorrect plays, he began favoring Charles Jones. Dalvin Warmack also appeared to pass Silmon on the depth chart at the Liberty Bowl.

Reliability issues hurt Silmon so badly that Snyder admitted he was barely in the mix for first-team carries when spring practice began.

Then Silmon reminded everyone of his upside during a scrimmage.

“I thought maybe it was starting to figure itself out a little bit with Charles and Dalvin, who really have practiced extremely hard and extremely well,” Snyder said. “Then on Saturday we had some scrimmage time and Justin Silmon ran as hard as anybody. I was really impressed.

“He stepped up more so than I have seen from him in a year’s period of time, almost. I was pleased with the progress he made. Now, it was just one practice, but it also identified how competitive the position is.”

Jones, a senior, remains the favorite to open the season as starter. He rushed for a team-high 696 yards and five touchdowns last season, showing skills as the downhill runner Snyder covets late in the season. But Warmack and Silmon are both good enough to win the job.

Jones has the most experience. Warmack is the fastest of the group, and is capable of catching passes out of the backfield. Silmon offers the most power.

The Wildcats have lacked consistency at running since the departure of John Hubert. Perhaps this group can change that.

“Everyone is older and more mature and in better physical shape this year,” Silmon said. “I think it is more competitive and more fun. It is exciting. I can see the potential we have as a group, but we have to put it on the field.”

No one understands that better than Silmon.

He went from rushing for 119 yards against Louisiana Tech to an afterthought in a matter of weeks. He has the talents to climb back up the ladder, but he needs to consistently show them to make it happen.

“None of (my first season) is really promising,” Silmon said. “You can have a good game, but next game you have to forget about the last game and be ready to play, because you never know who is going to bring it. Nothing is ever promised. Yeah, I had some good games, but that is in the past. Yeah, I had some bad games, but that is in the past. You just got to be worried about the way you play that Saturday.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Running back Justin Silmon eyes expanded role in Kansas State’s offense."