50 Best of the Non-BCS: Number 38
The Verdict:While it's tough to justify putting a running back who "only" ran for a conference high 117.0 yards per game in 2008 so low on the countdown, the proverbial "system" label can't be thrown completely out the window when discussing running backs in Chris Ault's Pistol offense. While we're not taking anything away from Taua or his predecessor (2007 First Team All-WAC runner Luke Lippincott) the fact of the matter remains that Nevada backs are going to put up some big numbers regardless of their God-given talent (which both Taua and Lippincott have a good deal of may I add.) That all being said, Taua's 6.4 yard average last year topped Lippincott's 2007 average by over a full yard, as the previously unknown Taua also finished with 30 catches for three touchdowns to go along with his 15 scores on the ground. We love his cutback ability and field vision, and despite his 5-foot-10 stature we find him to be one of the more powerful backs in the conference. While we defer any next-level projection to the real experts out there (our friends at DraftDaddy.com) there is no disputing Taua's importance to the Wolf Pack, as the junior running back gives Chris Ault's team an excellent shot at bowl eligibility for a fifth straight season.
Tomorrow's Player...Had an absolutely huge 2006 season before having to take a medical redshirt in 2007. However, he came back in 2008 to earn First-Team All-Conference honors. Who is he?
Past Players: [#50: Navy LB Ross Pospisil] [#49: Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews] [#48: Wyoming DT John Fletcher] [#47: BSU WR Briggs Orsbon] [#46: EMU QB Andy Schmitt] [#45: Marshall TE Cody Slate] [#44: LA Tech WR/KR Philip Livas] [#43: CSU Gaurd Shelly Smith] [#42: Wyoming FS Chris Prosinski] [#41: SMU receiver Emmanual Sanders] [#40: UTEP QB Trevor Vittatoe] [#39: CMU DE/DT Frank Zombo]
