Houston's role growing as running back numbers shrink
NC State's running backs room was once a crowded place.
With the return of sophomore Ricky Person Jr. and the addition of talented freshmen Zonovan Knight and Jordan Houston to go along with redshirt freshman Trent Pennix, the question coming into the season was whether there would be enough carries available to keep everyone happy.
Then Person went down with a serious leg injury against Florida State and in rapid sucession, both Knight and Pennix were sidelined in last Saturday's loss at Wake Forest.
The situation -- described by coach Dave Doeren as "Code Red" -- became so serious that Houston was taken out of the game in favor of walkon Will Dabbs late in the game to make sure there would be at least one healthy scholarship back remaining for this week's game against defending national champion Clemson.
Suddenly, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Maryland native finds himself the last man standing at his position.
"That's what people on my team will say," Houston said Tuesday. "But we've still got Delbert Mims (who is being redshirted) and I think Zonovan is pretty much back healthy, so we still have a little bit of depth."
Houston figures to play a prominent role in Stare’s offense against the Tigers no matter who else is available.
He’s seen his role increase from that of an all-purpose third down back early in the season to more of an every down workhorse equally adept at getting tough yards between tackles as he is at bouncing outside where he can -- in the words of Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables -- "really accelerate and (use his) good top-end speed.
Houston currently ranks second on the team behind Knight with 362 yards while averaging nearly six yards per carry. Although he was limited to 48 yards on 11 carries in last week's 44-10 loss at Wake, he still earned praise from his own coach for his hard-running style.
"I thought Jordan did some really good things," Dave Doeren said. "Bam (Knight) was only in there for nine snaps, so he didn't get a chance, but (Houston) and Trent (Pennix) had some good runs in the game. The line and tight ends protected, so we got hats on hats. There were positives there. Some things we can definitely grow on."
Houston has already experienced plenty of growth during a season that has already exceeded his expectations.
Originally committed to Maryland as a three-star prospect, he flipped to State in July because of a shakeup in the Terrapins' coaching staff, arrived just before the start of preseason camp and immediately began his rapid rise up the Wolfpack's depth chart.
"It's definitely a big adjustment, but I'm happy," Houston said. "One of the reasons I came here is because they told me I had a good chance or playing as a freshman.
"But I do think about it sometimes. I was just in high school a few months ago and now I'm getting ready to play one of the best teams in the country. I think it's just a great opportunity for me and my team."
