Chatfield's Sam Backer has quickly turned into a prime-time player at Minnesota State, Mankato

MANKATO Hes the strongest player on the Minnesota State University, Mankato football team.

And hes the second or third fastest.

Those are nice places to start when you are a Division II college running back.

That is Sam Backer, the former Chatfield megastar who now is turning into a big name and player for the Mavericks.

ADVERTISEMENT A redshirt freshman, Backer is the leading rusher for 22nd-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato, having run for 513 yards (6.2 per carry) and two touchdowns for his 6-2 team.

Mavericks coach Todd Hoffner was convinced he was getting a special talent when Backer said yes to his scholarship offer two years ago.

Now, he knows it first hand.

We knew he was a special and gifted player, Hoffner said.

And since hes been here, hes done nothing but impress.

Every time hes gotten opportunities, whether it was in a live scrimmage in 2023, a live game in 2023, live action in the spring of 2024 and the games hes played (this season), hes been great.

We got to the point early this fall where we didnt have to see any more live action of him (in practices).

By then, Hoffner and his staff knew what they had.

Backer was going to be their starting tailback this season.

He had cemented that spot for himself.

There have been no regrets from the Mavericks coaching staff since watching him these first eight games.

Backer has shown that he can do it all run past people, run over them, dodge them and also nicely catch passes out of the backfield.

This is an every-down back and a guy whos just getting started, with three years left to compete.

ADVERTISEMENT Sam is dynamic, very nifty and crafty and with great top-end speed, Hoffner said.

Hes physically really good.

And hes come a long way in becoming a complete back, catching the ball out of the backfield.

Plus, hes just a tough, hard-nosed kid.

Despite Backers nice acclimation to the Mavericks program, hes quick to point out that it hasnt been a snap.

The biggest reason for that is the sophistication and speed of the college game.

This is completely different than high school, said the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Backer.

The playbook is way more simplified in high school.

In college, the defensive schemes are so much smarter and players so much tougher and more physical.

You have to be strong and physical and the mental game is way more advanced.

You have to study film way more.

Last year, Backer said, was tough, just getting acclimated to it all.

This season has been mostly smooth sailing, as Backer has a handle on the playbook, what needs to be done in games and getting ready for them, and hes gotten comfortable with his surroundings, including the players and the coaches.

He loves where hes at.

ADVERTISEMENT Im having a lot of fun, winning games and creating relationships that will last a lifetime, Backer said.

And I was drawn to (Minnesota State, Mankato) because the coaches seemed more like a family than other programs.

Coach Hoffner, he is like a father figure the way he leads the team, People gravitate to him.

He expects the best out of everyone and he provides tough love.

If you are not up to the standard, then you have to fix it.

He holds you accountable and people love that about him.

There is very little for Backer to fix.

Right now, he is the standard.

And hes just getting started..

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