The Northwestern Wildcats is a team known for adding in the superback position in to their offense. A superback is a Fullback/Tight End hybrid player that can either pick up tough yards for the team on the run and/or be a threat on the receiving end as they can also catch the ball in the spread offense that the Wildcats seem to favor since former coach Randy Walker established it.
The superback usually is utilized receiving the ball and not as much running the ball in the Northwestern playbook. The superback position wasn’t really a great thing for Northwestern until one man came to the team and changed the position for good. The good news for Northwestern and Wildcat fans is that the guy is still on the team, Superback Dan Vitale.
Entering his junior year at Northwestern, Vitale will assuredly be starting at the superback position for the team this season. After playing all 12 games last season and improving from his prior season by increasing his receptions to 34 for 382 yards and three touchdowns. Vitale improved from his 2012 freshman season as expected, but entering his junior season is where Vitale will really show what a superback really is for Northwestern.
With injury to Northwestern’s starting wideout Christian Jones Vitale may very well see a increase in passes thrown his way come this season. The superback may very well be a key play offensively this season due to the team experimenting with receiving options because of Jones absence.
Featured photo via USA TODAY Sports
Realistic expectations for Northwestern in 2014
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