Minor wait over for Illini freshman

CHAMPAIGN – In practice, Robert Holcombe's always lending Nehemiah Minor a hand. Telling him what holes to hit, what linebackers to avoid, what routes to run.

On Saturday morning, Holcombe did Minor his biggest favor yet. He sat out the UI's spring football game, allowing the redshirt freshman running back from Detroit to break a sweat.

A few tackles, too.

"When I found out he wasn't going to play, that turned my motor on," Minor said. "It was like a great feeling. It's nice to have people look up to me."

With Holcombe held out as a precaution after bruising his shoulder last week, Saturday's scrimmage served as an audition for backups Steve Havard, Will Smith and Minor.

Minor was the busiest with five carries, five catches and one fumble. Afterward, he gave out autographs and took in a compliment from his 1,000-yard mentor.

"Minor, he's going to be a good back. He's young and he's elusive," Holcombe said. "And he's fast."

Faster than the soon-to-be UI career rusher?

"I don't know about that," Holcombe said. "We may have to come out to the field and race."

A quiet type, Minor is hesitant to boast about his speed (he was clocked in 10.7 seconds in the 100 meters at Detroit Pershing High), his football ability (1,548 yards rushing as a senior) or his intentions at the UI ("I just want to chip in where I can.").

But Stephon Thompson will. He coached Minor in high school and had this to say when his star signed with the UI:

"Nehemiah Minor brings home the bacon. He delivers it, he fries it and he serves it. Nehemiah is pure excitement."

And he has yet to play a down.

"Nehemiah's got some work to do," UI running backs coach Jim Helms said. "He still shows signs of being a freshman. What he'll get is an opportunity."

In a year.

The UI plans to play Holcombe "every snap if we can," Helms said. "With his talent we have to ride him."

The wait doesn't bother Minor, the lone running back of the UI's recruiting class of 1996 (fullback Dharma Frye was recruited as a defensive back). He needs time to mature physically – he's 185 pounds – and improve fundamentally.

His ball-carrying technique needs some tinkering. The 6-foot Minor tends to run "too tall," Helms said, making him an easy tackle target.

"(Linebacker) David James, he killed me one day," Minor said. "I've got to keep my shoulders down."

And the football in his arms.

Minor's only mistake Saturday was fumbling after catching a swing pass and rumbling for 15 yards. The defense, which won 50-0, recovered.

So did Minor.

"Coach Turner, he just told me to stay positive, to keep it up and that I have a lot to offer," Minor said. "I'm still confident."

Minor, 1 of 15 freshmen to redshirt last season, led a stagnant offense with five catches for 38 yards, and rushed for 17 yards.

Smith had a team-high 34 yards rushing, while Havard finished with 4 yards on three carries.

Helms said competition for the backup spot will resume in August.

"All three will play, that's all I can say," Helms said. "We need to develop somebody in case (Holcombe) gets tired or needs a blow. Somebody has to be ready to step in."

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