’Bows will ask
two freshmen to carry
a heavy load
Avion Weaver and Charles Tharp
By Paul Arnett
get an early opportunity
to run to daylight
Star-BulletinMost freshmen are so far down the depth chart, they spend more time carrying the water bucket in fall camp than the football. But don't tell that to Avion Weaver and Charles Tharp. The two California freshmen running backs were given as many repetitions in yesterday's opening practice as projected starters Quincy Jacobs and Morrie Roe.
One reason they already have been thrust into the spotlight is the loss of veteran University of Hawaii players Russell Grant and Franklin Yearby-Saunders. Another reason is both have the talent to challenge right away for the starting job.
"We really only have four running backs at this point, so they've got to be three and four," Rainbows offensive coordinator Wally English said. "They might be higher than that before fall camp is through. Quincy is an established veteran guy back there.
"That's the shortfall for these young guys because they haven't been here long enough to understand what we're asking them to do. Many times, skill players can play at a younger age than offensive linemen.
"Right now, they're swimming a little bit. I think we have to settle them down and tell them to be patient, you're going to make a mistake or two. We're not in that big of a hurry because we don't play a football game for another two weeks."
Fortunately for Weaver and Tharp, they are familiar with the offense the Rainbows plan on implementing this season. Weaver was the fullback in the two-back set used by Valley High School in Sacramento, Calif.
He rushed for 1,375 yards and 21 touchdowns his senior season, and as a result, was named to the Sacramento Bee newspaper's all-area team.
The 5-foot-10, 211-pounder said yesterday that he had been shifted to tailback by the UH coaching staff, but still felt comfortable with English's offensive philosophy and terminology.
"We used this pro-style offense in high school, so the transition hasn't been too tough," Weaver said. "When I played, I was the fullback in this formation, and I blocked for our tailback.
"Now, they switched me to tailback, so I get a different perspective of the whole thing. I wanted to go somewhere where they needed me and would accept me.
"I asked them if I would be redshirted and they told me I had a chance to play right away. So I worked hard this summer to be ready. They've already thrown me into the mix kind of early, which is great."
Tharp figures heavily into Hawaii's plans as well. The 5-8, 183-pounder from Mountain View, Calif., rushed for more than 2,007 yards and 25 touchdowns his senior season at St. Francis High.
He was the San Jose Mercury News' player of the year and was the California Interscholastic Federation's Central player of the year as well. The durable scatback was second team all-state and also received honorable mention high school All-America honors.
UH head coach Fred vonAppen already has hinted that Tharp may be used on kickoffs as well. Like Weaver, he wanted to come some place where he could compete right away. He is also familiar with the Rainbows' new offense, and feels he can fit into Hawaii's immediate plans.
"Of course I'm happy about the opportunity to get a chance to maybe play during the season and help out the team," Tharp said. "One of my dreams was to play big-time college football.
"They told me that I might be able to play right away, that it was up to me, how hard I worked and how much heart I showed in camp. The biggest difference so far has been the interior line play and the speed of the linebackers. It's something I'll have to adapt to in the coming weeks."
Both players took part in summer college all-star games in California. Tharp rushed for 148 yards in the Charlie Wedemeyer Classic. Weaver managed 70 yards in the North-South Optimist game.
"Those games kind of let you know where you stand with other players your age," Weaver said. "I enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what it's like to play in a major Division I game."
