Thunder, lightning and a fresh start in Moscow for Idaho running back pair
The first thing you notice is the contrast in the two transfer running backs from California - one glides out of the backfield and works the edges, while the other runs with the power of multiple men.
Damonte Bias and Ferrari Miller are reshaping the Idaho Vandals' backfield during spring football camp.
Offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker said the versatility of the two backs will add layers to the Idaho offense.
"Ferrari, I mean, ridiculous name for his size, he's more of a Mack truck," Shoemaker joked at practice on Saturday. "But he's more of the pound, the heavy hand, the downhill guy, but can catch the ball, can get out in the backfield and make plays in the pass game, screen game and things like that.
"And then, Damonte's got that juice and that speed, more of a slasher. But again, won some drills and short yardage areas for us. And, shows that inside the tackle is tough running, but is more of that wide running slasher, so again, a little thunder-and-lightning type of action."
Bias is a lean 5-foot-11, 180-pound speedster from El Camino College in Alondra Park, Calif., while Miller is 5-10 and listed at 220 pounds, a true power back from Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif.
Last season, Bias played in 11 games and rushed the ball 118 times for a total of 835 yards (75.9 yards per game) and scored six touchdowns. His longest carry was 71 yards.
Miller played 12 games and rushed the ball 179 times for a total of 1,123 yards (93.6 yards per game) and scored eight touchdowns. His longest carry was 84 yards. Miller also caught the ball 39 times for 384 yards (32 yards per game) and another five touchdowns.
Both junior college transfers from California are now roommates.
Bias said that, admittedly, the transition from a junior college to a Division I school has not been very easy. He said he's got a lot more thrown at him, and that the details are much more focused. When studying film, it is important to note the types of schemes and gaps that will be called.
"It's been hard coming from a (junior college) to Division I, like it's just more and everything is detailed," Bias said. "You've got to make sure you're taking the right steps, make sure you're reading the right reads and making sure you're blocking the right person, because if you mess up your block, that can be potentially one of your teammates getting hurt. So you got to just make sure you're on top of your assignment and just knowing where you're going and just playing fast."
Running backs coach Spencer Treadwell said that although the transition may be difficult, the two running backs have taken the challenge head-on. Bias and Miller have been very clear in discussions about what they need and how they learn, so the coaching staff has structured their teaching to their learning styles to ease the transition.
"It's been great (and) they've been grabbing hold of knowledge," Treadwell said. "And these guys really got after (it) with the extra hours of watching film, getting in the meeting room, getting with their guys, doing walkthroughs when I'm not even around. ... They're much more comfortable with what they're doing out there."
Bias said he knew Idaho was a good fit for him because when he first talked to head coach Thomas Ford Jr., Ford "kept it real from the jump." He said that Ford told him exactly what was going to happen - that Bias was going to come in, work hard and dominate.
Bias dominated in Idaho's ninth spring practice on Saturday, and was awarded with the "battle axe" award announced in front of the team after practice. The Vandals were working within the 25-yard line to the end zone - just outside and inside the red zone. Bias scored multiple touchdowns on the ground, found success running inside the tackles and caught multiple passes for chunk plays.
Both Treadwell and Shoemaker said that neither Bias nor Miller is a very vocal guy, and that the coaching staff is working to break them out of their shells more, but that they are improving leadership-wise.
Both coaches also said that the running backs each have a strong work ethic to get better each day and that the growth they've shown has not gone unnoticed.
"(They have grown) 100%, and it started before spring camp started in the winter conditioning and workouts. Those guys have made huge strides," Shoemaker said. "From coming from a junior college with whatever the standards and the operations are, to learning this offense, learning our expectations, our standards in the weight room and things like that - they've grown immensely."
Shoemaker said that after practice he told Bias that he was "super proud of him," and to see where he was in the winter to earning the "battle axe" award on Saturday is a huge sign of growth.
The big move and fresh start could have felt isolating for Bias - instead, he said it immediately felt like he was surrounded by a large brotherhood.
"I feel like this is a family, they're very welcoming," Bias said. "The first day I came, I had (Lonyatta Alexander Jr.) - shout out Yatta - just showing me around, and just being there, just being there for me. Because it was a big transition coming from where I come from. I'm from California, and it's my first time being somewhere (else) by myself. So I feel like it felt like home. ... This is family."
Junt can be reached at 208-848-2258, tjunt@lmtribune.com or on X @TrevorJunt.
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