Over the past decade, perhaps no individual unit has had more success at Nevada than the running backs. There have been eight 1,000-yard seasons put up by the Wolf Pack backfield and four different Nevada rushers have led the Western Athletic Conference in rushing.
But nowhere among those names who have achieved some of the eye-popping statistics and accolades will you find that of Courtney Randall. But the senior from Rialto, Calif. (Eisenhower HS) has been just as valuable in his role in the backfield.
Call him a short-yardage specialist or a changeup back – a powerful runner with deceptive speed who presents complements speedier and niftier backs like Vai Taua and Lampford Mark. But the truest label is this: Randall is a coach’s dream.
“It is a dream to have guys like Courtney Randall on your team,” running backs coach Jim Mastro said. “We are all going to be working for Courtney some day because he is a successful person. You can always count on Courtney, whether it is on the field, off the field, in the classroom or in the community. You know Courtney is the type of person who will succeed.”
Randall graduated in May, in four years, receiving a bachelor of arts in psychology with a minor in human development and family studies. He’s already been accepted into the Master’s program in Counseling and Educational Psychology and will begin graduate work this fall as he plays his senior season for the Wolf Pack.
“It’s interesting to me because some people say how great it is that I graduated in four years or whatever,” Randall said. “I just thought that was just normal. I thought that’s what was expected of me so I got it done. And I’m glad I did so I can work on my Master’s now.”
James Troxel, Nevada’s lead academic advisor, described Randall as “the epitome of a student-athlete.”
“He is a dedicated person and that applies to being a student and being an athlete,” Troxel said. “Graduating in four years is an accomplishment, even for a regular student. And when you look at the time constraints and the responsibilities a student-athlete has, it is a credit to the character of Courtney. He is just a good young man, someone I’m proud to be around.”
Randall said he’s learning towards becoming a school counselor or a therapist once he’s exhausted his football playing opportunities. His immediate focus is on getting ready for the upcoming season, one that has created a buzz in Northern Nevada.
“I’m excited for this season; I think all of the players are,” Randall said. “The seniors, we know this is our last chance to leave a mark at Nevada. The years have gone by in a blink of an eye and you realize that this is your last chance to leave a legacy here.”
He’ll be part of the usual situation at Nevada – a talented and deep backfield. Returning is fellow senior and back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Vai Taua. Also returning are junior Lampford Mark, sophomore Mike Ball along with redshirt freshman Stefphon Jefferson.
“I just want to be involved, whether it is blocking or special teams or carrying the ball or even catching the ball out of the backfield,” Randall said. “I am a team guy. I just want to play as much as a I can and contribute to this team.
“As we get closer to fall camp starting, I am just trying to stay relaxed and be prepared. We’ve already done most of the work, starting with all of the weightlifting back in the winter and then spring ball and all of our workouts over the summer. This is the time when the work gets done.”
Mastro credits Randall for some of the success that Taua and other backs like Luke Lippincott have attained.
“You don’t really realize how hard Courtney works in terms of football, whether it is in the film room, the weight room or on the practice field,” Mastro said. “He is such a fierce competitor that he makes everyone else better.
“Courtney knows his role and he accepts his role and strives for more. He keeps his mouth shut and he works his butt off. That shows you the kind of character he has and the kind of work ethic he has.”
Randall said one of his lasting memories of Nevada will be all of the running backs that he has been with, starting with his class (Vai Taua and Brandon Fragger) along with the younger players and older players like Lippincott and Robert Hubbard.
“Our group, we’ve set a lot of records and done a lot of things. And that’s pretty cool. But we’ve become such a tight-knit group. These are all cool dudes and guys that I’ll be friends with forever,” Randall said.
For Randall, his goal are simple: win a conference title and win a bowl game.
“We’ve had a good run here, going to bowl games and winning a lot of games. But we have not won a championship or won a bowl game in my time. It’s not as good as it can be. So we have work to do and I want to finish everything I start,” Randall said.
