The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Profile: UAB's Trio of Running Backs
11/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 2, 2010
By Aaron Jordan
UAB Athletic Media Relations
When fans take a look at this year's UAB running back corps, some may make reference to the cliché "running back by committee." However, when talking to Pat Shed, Daniel Borne and Justin Brooks, they quickly shy away from that moniker because they like to call themselves a different name.
"We've got a nickname for ourselves," Borne, a senior running back, said. "We like to refer to ourselves as the `three-headed monster' more than any other name they give us. We know we all bring different parts of the game together."
"Yeah, he and his uncle pretty much made that up," Brooks said of Borne. "It just means that if all three of us get going, you're really going to have your hands full. We all have different talents that bring strengths to the offense. We all contribute in a different way, and I think we accept our roles accordingly. Whether it's blocking or setting up a play, we want to do whatever we're asked to do for the team."
That much was evident in UAB's 21-6 victory over UTEP on Oct. 16. In that contest, the "three-headed monster," along with freshman tailback Greg Franklin, combined for 226 yards on 36 carries. It was the first time in 48 games that UAB running backs have produced more than 200 yards in a game. The last time it happened came on Oct. 7, 2006, in a 35-29 win over Memphis.
The running game usually begins with the newest member of the trio, which is Shed - a speedy, athletic back who is considered one of the most electric players on the team. The junior from Starkville, Miss., is capable of making any defender look bad with his shifty moves and blazing speed. He currently leads the corps in rushing yards, attempts and per-rush average.
Shed is the second-youngest of nine children (seven brothers and one sister), but he comes from a football family. All of his brothers grew up playing football and most played running back. He attributes a lot of his mentality and tough attitude to growing up in a family full of football players.
"I've been playing football since the seventh grade," Shed said. "All my brothers played football and it's just a God-given talent. I want to put on a show when I'm out there."
And putting on a show is exactly what he's done. Whether it is shaking someone 1-on-1 in the open field or making a great block to give his quarterback more time in the pocket, Shed says he is all about the team.
That's something UAB fans are quickly finding out. He admits he appreciates the "oohs" and "aahs" he receives from fans at the game and even his teammates in a film room session as he bursts past a defender on the field.
"Yeah, I hear a lot of that, especially from my teammates," Shed said. "It's all fun though, I'm out there having fun."
And that's exactly what Brooks and Borne say about their teammate.
"Pat is a unique individual," Brooks said. "He's from big family, and with so many football players in his family, it has really molded him into an intelligent and mature player on the field. I look at him like he's the young gun of our running back family, just like he is basically the youngest of his family. His responsibility level is tremendous."
"Pat's the outrageous one of the three," Borne said. "He's a real spontaneous guy. He's cool and just a lot of fun to be around."
The second head of the three-headed monster would be Brooks, who uses a physical toughness and bruising style of running game to complement his teammates. "Everybody sees Justin as a mean, tough player because of the way he plays," Borne said. "He is definitely a big, rough and tough type of football player, but off the field he's a really cool, laid back guy."
"Justin is quiet until you get to know him," Shed said. "Everybody probably thinks he's mean, but he's not. He's just like a regular guy. He likes to have fun."
Each of the other backs look up to Brooks since he is the longest-tenured running back in the group. Brooks transferred from Troy following his freshman year, and 2010 marks his fourth year as a Blazer (he sat out the 2007 season due to NCAA transfer rules). The Dothan, Ala., native is almost looked at like a father-figure by his cohorts and is someone who has a good grasp of the system and each of his teammates' roles at the running back position.
"Anytime we're in the film room reviewing a game, we all know we have different strengths," Brooks said. "But we also like to give some tips on what we can do to better ourselves on each play. It's not that we're competing against each other, it's that we're competing with each other. If it's Daniel, I want him doing well, or if it's Pat, I want him doing well. Just as if it was myself, they would want me to do well. We all feel like we represent each other as a running back, not just ourselves. And if one of us is having a bad day, we're there to pick that person up."
That leaves Borne, a senior who transferred to UAB after a successful junior college career. Borne, who at times demonstrates Shed's elusiveness and Brooks' power, is the perfect complement to the "three-headed monster." A quiet and reserved guy off the field, he is capable of making a lot of noise on the field and can take defense by surprise if it's not careful.
"Daniel's actually a pretty interesting guy," Brooks said. "If you see him on the field, he may see him a little quieter, but he's really an intelligent person and terrific football player. He will surprise some defenses who may not have prepared for him."
"Daniel is more quiet than loud," Shed said. "He just likes to have fun. We're here about football, but we don't always talk about football. You can have a good time not always talking about football."
What may be most unique about the trio is that none of them began their college careers at UAB. As mentioned earlier, Brooks attended Troy for one season before transferring in 2007. Borne attended Jones County (Miss.) JC and has been in Birmingham for two seasons, while Shed is in his first year in the Green and Gold after playing two years at East Mississippi CC.
However, despite the trio not being together long, they all admit they share a unique bond that will hold up through any type of competition they encounter.
"I think we, as a group, have built a very close relationship from motivation to inspiration," Brooks said. "Each of us has a different background and I think with us sharing our stories it gives us a relationship that people really don't know about. They're more like my brothers, Pat and Daniel, not just my teammates. We're probably the closest guys on the team as far as our relationship on and off the field."
"I think this is one of the closest groups I've ever been around as far as running backs, even back from high school," said Borne, who hails from just outside New Orleans. "Last year, I think we were close but when Pat came in we definitely got closer as a group."
"I think all of us have something similar," Shed said. "All of us just bond like brothers and we all came here to do the same thing and that's to win a championship. But we also want to become closer as a family."
When combining their football skills on the field and their work ethic and brotherhood off the field, the "three-headed monster" is certainly a scary matchup for any opposition.
