Pitt FB Recruiting
Insight on Pitt Running Back Target Coleton Beck
Dennis Haley knows a lot about the game of football serving as a coach, trainer as well as playing D-1 football as a linebacker at Virginia and in the NFL and CFL.
One of the players that Haley has trained is Virginia 3-star running back and top Pitt running back target Coleton Beck.
Haley has been with Beck since the eighth grade serving as a trainer and also as a life coach.
Beck is a player that Pitt has recruited as hard as anyone and would to eventually add him to their stable of talented running backs. Along with Pitt, Beck is also being recruited by Virginia, North Carolina, Louisville and East Carolina.
This morning, PSN spoke with Haley to attempt to learn more about Beck from a person that knows him as well as anyone.
Courtesy of Coleton Beck
“Coleton is a humble kid that’s had a lot of success that’s started at a young age with both football and track. Has a very good personality, is a hard worker and isn’t a player that cares about the spotlight. If he were to choose Pitt as his school, they would love him and would be a great asset to the program, ” said Haley.
“As far as Beck’s running back, he would fit in with Pitt’s offensive style. I think he could be a unique college player because you don’t get a lot of 6-foot- 2 200 pound running backs that run a 4.3. He’s going to hit the hole and get through that first level of contact with his strength and after he gets through that his speed will take over. He’s going to put defensive players in a tough position in terms of trying to make a tackle. I see him running a lot and also getting screen plays and even as a slot receiver.”
Although it’s probably a lazy comparison, I asked Haley if he sees Beck having a role like former Stanford star back and Carolina Panthers first round pick Christian McCaffrey.
Courtesy of Coleton Beck
“I played the game so I hate to do comparisons but if you’re going to compare Coleton to somebody it would be Christian McCaffrey. Let’s be clear, he’s a running back first, you don’t want to get that mixed up but he has the ability to split out in the slot and would be a nightmare for linebackers to try to cover because of his size and then because of his speed because he’ll be able to outrun them for sure,” said Haley.
Looking at his highlights, his skill set and what he projects to do, Beck appears to be a player that’s a bit under-recruited.
“That’s very fair to say. Not to take away anything from the schools that are recruiting him but he’s one of the most complete backs that I’ve seen and I’ve watched a lot of film. I’ve seen a lot of film of the recruits that are supposed to top backs and I think he’s being under-recruited. With his ability to play running back at that size and with his speed, he runs a legit 4.3. He could fit any college’s offensive scheme.”
One other interesting note that Haley told me about Beck is that he still plans on running track in college, so, regardless of the school he picks, he’ll be a two sport athlete.
“He wants to do both in college and will be successful doing both in college I can guarantee you that.”
