A healthy Toney Baker next season would bode well for both the Pack's future and the heralded running back's future. This former 5 Star Parade All-American hasn't taken a snap since the 2007 Season Opener. Two Knee surgeries later and Toney Baker is finally ready to pull the car out of the garage and hit the road again. In the two full seasons that Baker has played for the Pack, he has rushed for 1,234 yards in 23 games averaging 4.4 yards per carry. A healthy 1-2 punch of Baker and Eugene should give the Pack a very formidable running attack (Eugene averaged 4.7 yards per carry in '08). North Carolina's High School All-Time leading rusher (10,231 yards) is ecstatic to be back on the field. The News & Record caught up with Baker after the Spring Game and he had this to say:“It was just exciting to be out there...It’s very difficult being out for so long. Two years away from the game you love. Hard work pays off, man, and I’m just truly blessed to be out here playing with the team again...There’s no words for how it feels to play again...I grew up playing this game, and I’m just excited that I’m out here getting better. I can definitely be in better football shape. I’ve only had 14 practices after being away for two years, but I feel great. My power’s still there, and I feel fantastic running the football.”
If Toney is full strength when the season rolls around, don't be surprised to see #22 starting in the backfield. Toney is the most highly touted to come to NC State in a long time. Coming out of high school, many would have projected Toney as a sure bet to play on Sundays. But injuries are something that are unable to be projected. A solid Senior campaign from Baker will go along way in putting W's on the board for the Pack and also in gaining the attention of NFL scouts.
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3 Responses to "Baker's Last Hurrah"Welcome back Toney!
He looks much bigger now. You think he was a bowling ball before 2k7? TOB and Co. are teaching him to be a downhill runner just like they did with Andre Brown last year, and I think that we will see similar results. With a deeper and more experienced O-line, and J. Eugene to spell him, you may even see more production from #22. I know he's happy to be back, and I'm glad to have him back. Congrats to TB!
Definitely glad to have Toney back. It may be a little early to put him in that #1 spot. A healthy Eugene is a dangerous Eugene. And TOB has said that Toney is not the Toney he was when the coaches first arrived. Regardless, both will get plenty of time.
Anybody know the last high school that Toney under 100 yards??
MOORESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL...(his sophmore year lol)
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