Soft-spoken back making loud plays
True freshman running back Lonta Hobbs is making the transition seem smooth from high school 3A football to Division I.
By Danny Gillham

Success has come individually for Lonta Hobbs, but his experience at TCU is one of the firsts where success has come as a team.

The talented true freshman impressed Frog coaches who scouted him at Class 3A Clarksville. As a senior Hobbs ran for 983 yards, and caught the eye of the TCU coaching staff.

“It appeared that when we watched him on film that he great vision and could see some things,” offensive coordinator Mike Schultz said. “He scored a lot of touchdowns and made a lot of people miss.”

While Hobbs was no stranger to individual glory as a Clarksville Tiger, the same could not be said for the rest of his team. In his four years the team never had a winning season, and finished 1-9 his senior year.

Now playing on a 5-1 Frog team that is right in the thick of a conference title run, the quiet Hobbs said it is a pleasant change being on the other end of the spectrum.

“It’s a big change, because confidence was low in Clarksville,” Hobbs said. “I think that’s one reason why we didn’t win. Here it’s a big difference. I just like it, I’m having fun really. I mean I had fun in Clarksville, I wouldn’t change it for the world. But I’m just having fun here.”

Hobbs came to TCU behind juniors Ricky Madison, Corey Connally and Kenny Hayter on the depth chart at tailback. Hobbs began to get more work, however, as the three began to get sidelined with injuries off and on. The young back quickly turned heads and was soon practicing with the first and second teams. For weeks, head coach Gary Patterson spoke of taking the redshirt off Hobbs and giving him carries in a game.

The opportunity came on Oct. 5 against Houston in the Homecoming game, and Hobbs showed Frog coaches and fans what the hype was all about. Splitting time with Madison, Hobbs carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards. He followed his debut with 84 yards on 10 carries at Army last Saturday. He also had his first two collegiate touchdowns, one off a 62-yard run.

At Clarksville, Hobbs rarely left the field, playing both defensive back and running back.

“Physically its kind of easier,” Hobbs said. “Because in high school I played defense and offense, and I was constantly on the field doing stuff. Here I’m basically at one position. I’m getting reps, but I’m getting rest at the same time. I wasn’t used to that.”

Hobbs doesn’t lack confidence, although he comes off as shy: He is soft spoken in his interviews and often wide-eyed.

“He handles it well,” Madison said. “He’s real shy, and that’s what you want. You want somebody that’s willing to learn and willing to listen to people. That’s Lonta.”

While Hobbs is confident, he says one thing he is not is selfish. He gives credit for his transition to his older teammates.

“All three (of the running backs) helped me out,” Hobbs said. “Even the fullbacks helped me out. My confidence was getting kind of low because I thought I should know the offense right as soon as I got here. But it’s complicated and they helped me through it. Even the offensive line helped out a little bit, just saying ‘Lonta it’ll be alright, you’ll get it later on.’ Everybody has helped out.”

While expectations are high, the fact remains he is young. Hobbs has fumbled the ball and missed blocking assignments, and Schultz said it will all just be part of the growing pains.

“He’s awful young,” Schultz said. “He does some really good things, and makes some really nice things. But he’s still growing into it, and we have to bring him along slow. Hopefully he’ll keep learning, keep progressing, and turn out to be the type of back we want him to be.”