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#32 Justin Silmon |
Position: Running Back Previous College: None Projection: Co-Starter Status: On Scholarship |
Justin Ja'Rel Silmon (b. Aug. 4, 1995) is a former walk-on running back who earned a scholarship after the 2015 season. He saw significant action at running back and will compete again for starting duties as a sophomore.
Silmon, who redshirted in 2014, tallied nine carries for 65 yards for the Purple team in the 2015 spring game, which led all rushers. Along with Winston Dimel, he was one of two freshman highlighted by Bill Snyder for their efforts.
He played in all 13 games in 2015, finishing third on the team with 355 yards on 78 carries and two touchdowns.
Silmon's 355 rushing yards were the second most in school history among freshmen and featured a 119-yard game against Louisiana Tech, the fourth most in a game in school history by a freshman.
His effort against the Bulldogs was the first 100-yard game by a K-State running back since the 2013 regular-season finale. He also had 50-yard games against South Dakota (51) and at Oklahoma State (50), and collected rushing touchdowns at UTSA and Oklahoma State. Look for him to continue co-starting duties with Charles Jones.
Silmon prepped under head coach Kirk Friedrich at the prestigious Union High School in Tulsa, where he helped the Redskins to obtain a 12-2 record and a state runner-up finish in 2013 as he earned all-district honors.
He also had a great junior year when he rushed 156 times for 1,149 yards and 15 touchdowns, and also hauled in 13 receptions for 229 yards and another two scores. Injuries apparently kept him off most Division I teams' radars.