Transfer Welton tapped as Albany State’s No. 1 RB

ALBANY — The Gold Rush is officially back. Only this season, it looks a bit different.

Transfer Robert Welton has emerged as the probable starting running back for the Albany State football team, but he’ll be part of a four-man tandem — along with Kareem Hess, LiRonnie Davis and Darryl Carey — hoping to make an impact for the Rams this season.

“I think we’ll have a great running game,” said Welton, who transferred to ASU from Appalachian State during the offseason. “All four of us bring something different to the table. I’ve got my inside-outside game … LiRonnie’s the power back, and Kareem is the finesse back. And we have Carey, who can do it all, too.”

It’s a change of pace from past seasons, when the team primarily relied on one player to do most of the work.

“Last year, we were pretty much isolated with Antoine Johnson,” ASU running backs coach Anthony Kelly said. “But this year, with four guys who can start on any team, we’re pretty excited about where we can go with it. I think we’ll actually be better because of the additions we’ve made at the offensive line.”

Johnson was sixth in the SIAC in rushing last year (859 yards) and had 15 touchdowns, but Kelly said any one of the “four-headed monster” has the potential to be ranked even higher this season.

“It’s pretty amazing that we got the quality of backs that we (did),” Kelly said. “We’re very excited about the potential (each of them brings).”

Welton (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) is hungry to show off his stuff after sitting out most of last season with a right shoulder injury.

“I kind of have a chip on my shoulder,” said Welton, who led Appalachian State in rushing with 544 yards and 11 TDs in 2008. “I have a lot to prove.”

Rams coach Mike White saw that, which is why he brought Welton aboard.

“Having him is a huge plus,” White said. “We’re looking to give him the ball a lot, and we’re looking for big things out of him.”

Welton has set high goals for himself this season. He said his personal goals are to get at least 2,000 yards rushing, be named an All-American and lead the Rams to another SIAC championship.

“I just pride myself on being in great shape and (having that mentality where) I don’t want the coach to take me out to put someone else in (late in the game),” Welton said. “I’ve just got to be (clutch) in the end zone.”

Add a new-and-improved offensive line and the fact quarterbacks like Stanley Jennings can run the ball, and it’s shaping up to be a very like a very “Golden” season indeed.

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Albany State’s season opener against Kentucky State may be eight days away, but the team still doesn’t have a front-runner to start at quarterback.

“It’s still a competition,” offensive coordinator Steve Smith said Thursday. “We won’t know until next week. We’ll make our final decision then.”

Chris Payne, Wayne Campbell and Jennings are the three players vying for the spot.