ITHACA, N.Y. -- It's time to take an in-depth look at the 2010 Big Red football team position group by position group. Under assistant coach David Archer, the Big Red running attack will look for a shot in the arm. Senior Marcus Hendren leads a group of runners ready to pick up tough yards.

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Big Red 101 - Special Teams I Defensive Tackles I Tight Ends I Linebackers I Safeties I Quarterbacks I Running Backs

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A changing of the guard at tailback will occur in 2010, as three-year starter Randy Barbour '10 has graduated and Stephen Liuzza '10, the team's second-leading rusher, joined him on the podium last spring. The cupboard is far from bare, however, led by senior Marcus Hendren (5-11, 202). After three years as a reserve, Hendren will have every opportunity to become the team's primary ball-carrier.

Hendren is equally adept at running between the tackles or getting around the ends. He makes hard yards, but has the breakaway speed to score from anywhere on the field. Hendren finished third on the team in rushing with 229 yards on a team-best 6.0 yards per carry, including a 46-yard scamper in the season opener against Bucknell. The former walk-on has averaged an impressive 5.9 yards per carry.

Hendren isn't the only option, as the Big Red running game should be rejuvenated in 2010. Junior Nick Booker-Tandy (5-7, 158) and freshman Grant Gellatly (5-10, 186) figure to play prominent roles on the field at tailback, while sophomores John Boyle (6-2. 228) and Nick Mlady (6-1, 227) lead a group challenging for a spot at fullback.

A converted wide receiver, it is easy to see Booker-Tandy in a role similar to the one Dexter McCluster played at Mississippi under Kent Austin. McCluster became the first SEC player in history to post 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a season and shifted around in a variety of formations. He is a shifty runner with a quick burst, and he can be explosive in both the running and passing games. 

Gellatly has exploded onto the scene and has a great chance to get carries as a freshman. He has a combination of many of the same attributes as both Hendren and Booker-Tandy, and is potentially the running back of the future for the Big Red. He was a first-team all-state pick as a junior at Issaquah HS in Washington and is fully healed from a senior-year injury that kept him out of most of his senior campaign.

Boyle and Mlady could be excellent fullbacks in the Big Red offense. Boyle, a converted linebacker, is a punishing blocker with great size and explosiveness. Mlady is dangerous with the ball in his hands and can also catch passes out of the backfield when he isn't creating room for a teammate.

Junior Troy Lewis (5-10, 177) had a fantastic spring and remains a strong option at tailback, while freshmen Dustin Dillard (5-8, 197), Brian Murray (6-1, 168) and Bobby Murphy (6-0, 179) will also challenge for playing time. Freshman Taylor Engstrom (6-2, 228) is a solid candidate at fullback after moving from being a top prep linebacker.