Even though LSU coach Les Miles might be known for his loyalty to upperclassmen, one freshman’s name has consistently rolled off his tongue throughout the summer.
True freshman Terrence Magee, at 5-foot-9 and 212 pounds, was just a three-star recruit coming out of Franklinton High School, but he has impressed Miles during fall camp and leads a trio of freshmen backs who hope to vie for playing time this season.
“I just see [Magee] as a tough, mature young player and I think he’s a guy who will learn and be the kind of back we will need and want for a long time,” said Miles, who mentioned the young back’s name nearly every time he spoke about the running back position in recent months.
Known as a shifty runner with good hands as a receiver, too, Magee said he appreciates Miles’ vote of confidence early in his career.
“It feels good that he has faith in me,” he said. “But I still have to make it happen on the field, and play my role with this practice.”
Despite Magee being the breakout freshman name in the backfield, two other freshman backs, Kenny Hilliard and Jakhari Gore, were both more highly-touted recruits, with each listed among Rivals.com top 10 prep running backs during their respective senior seasons.
Hilliard set the Louisiana high school career rushing record with 8,603 yards in four stellar seasons at Patterson High School.
At 5-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Hilliard carries a reputation as a bruising runner and also carries a family lineage with him to LSU. He is the nephew of former LSU star and New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard.
Since enrolling at LSU in January, Hilliard said he has modeled his practice routine and approach to football after the trio of sophomore running backs — Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue —who are likely to get the bulk of the carries this year.
“It’s a big motivator for me because I get to watch them and really pick up their games to help me out as the young back,” said Hilliard, who runs a 4.6-second 40-yard-dash despite his hefty build.
The mild-mannered freshman said he can be the kind of persistent, physical back Miles tends to favor at the position.
“My strongest suit is coming in on third downs,” Hilliard said. “I’m all about when you need that one yard and getting it done for the team in short-yardage corner.”
With former offensive line coach Greg Studrawa moving up to the coordinator spot, Hilliard said the prospect of an enhanced focus on the running game would help the young trio.
“I think with [Studrawa] at coordinator is probably going to help us learn more and see the defensive fronts, which is what you need early on, he said”
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]