CORAL GABLES – Travis Homer has been making the most of his time at Miami.
The sophomore running back is now No. 2 on the depth chart, behind junior and last year’s team MVP Mark Walton. He’s in firm position to emerge as the undisputed starter down the road.
But Homer isn’t one to look too far ahead. The Oxbridge Academy 2016 alum is focusing on what he can do now to improve his overall game.
“I am just ready to take on what they need me to do,” Homer said to reporters in a media availability session after Miami’s practice on Aug. 16. “I know that I have to come in every day to take on that increased role and do what I can for the team. I am definitely more comfortable reading the defense.”
In Homer’s freshman season, he garnered eight tackles (five solo) and a fumble recovery. The 5-11, 200-pound running back also recorded seven carries for 44 yards, most of which came in last year’s season-opening win over Florida A & M.
Homer’s best moment of his freshman campaign came against Notre Dame, when he was named the team’s special teams captain and recorded a fumble recovery against the Fighting Irish on Oct. 29, 2016.
With that said, coaches have been noting Homer’s exemplary work ethic, attitude, and loyalty on a consistent basis. The coaching staff did their due diligence homework on his approach to the game when they recruited him out of Oxbridge Academy.
“There’s a huge improvement from year one to year two”, Miami offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said of Homer. “He was good enough to play last year, but we just had a little bit more depth with a couple guys that left – one that went to the NFL and one that transferred on us. I think he has gotten bigger, he has gotten stronger, he has gotten faster, and he has always been a tough kid. I’m excited for what he’s going to do this year.”
Brown had more to say about Homer’s standing with the team.
“He has a better understanding of the offense,” Brown said after his Aug. 16 post-practice availability session with reporters. “I think it’s him being able to understand how to use his body better, and protecting himself from hits. I think his knowledge of pass protection has grown, which is probably the hardest part of playing tailback – when you come from high school to college, and coming to a system that’s going to be a pro-style system. We’ll run a seven- or eight-drop back protection, play action protection. That’s probably been the biggest improvement for him. He’s always been a tough guy.”
Homer’s drive for continuous improvement also comes from his older brother, Tevin, who is now vying for an official 53-man NFL roster spot as a cornerback with the Washington Redskins.
“I’m very proud of him,” Travis said of Tevin Homer with a beaming smile. “He’s been through different schools (Arkansas Baptist JUCO; FAU), and now he’s living his dream. It really inspires me to accomplish the same goal and beat him out down the line.”
With a lot to gain in the present and future, Homer’s stock is good with everyone around him. We’ll be following his progress throughout the season and beyond.
