Endless Possibilities
Dec 12, 2024 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
It isn't that Kansas State running backs coach Brian Anderson is having flashbacks. But the size is there. And so are the feet. And the vision. If there's one aspect of the game that separates incoming freshman Monterrio Elston Jr. from the great Deuce Vaughn it is this: For as much as the 5-foot-7, 175-pound Elston might shine at running back, he is even more capable and talented at wide receiver, particularly in the slot, where when left one-on-one, he's going to juke, and turn on his 4.40 laser-timed jets, and go the distance.
"You're always going to compare guys because of their size," Anderson said. "At the end of the day, you're going to see a difference in the two. Monterrio was used more as a receiver in high school but then played some running back, so his receiving skills as a route runner are going to be more developed at an early age than Deuce. Monterrio played so much receiver in high school whereas Deuce played running back."
Elston, always the fastest and quickest player on his teams growing up, first caught the eye of Parkview (Ark.) High School head coach Brad Bolding his eighth-grade year.
"He was a freak," Bolding said. "And he went on to start for us as a freshman."
Elston's playmaking ability reached a new level as everyone in attendance at his first varsity game at Parkview High School witnessed the grand awakening when Elston fielded the first kickoff of his career — and returned it for a touchdown. Elston played on the ninth-grade team only until the varsity season began, then he was off to the races with the big boys.
Except Elston didn't start at running back on the varsity team his freshman year. He played behind two future FBS running backs. Instead, he started at slot receiver and as a kickoff and punt returner.
"When I got to varsity, we had too many running backs, so I played receiver," Elston said. "After I got the route running down, it took a couple of years, but I got really good."
Elston, who amassed more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season, recently helped lead Parkview High to its third-straight state championship.
"He's a real dude now," Bolding said. "He can do things that no one can coach, and he has an awful lot of God-given ability, obviously. If they still had phone booths, you wouldn't be able to touch him in one. He's just a different breed, man, and I've coached a bunch of them. He's up there with that top group of guys that I've even had go onto play in the NFL.
"He reminds me of Darren Sproles and Deuce Vaughn and the other ones that K-State has had who are like him."
Elston earned first team all-state honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. He totaled 1,854 all-purpose yards (847 rushing, 887 receiving, 120 return) his junior season.
"He has that ability to do multiple things on the field," Anderson said. "His versatility is really, really special as far as being a running back, a receiver, a guy who can make people miss, and a guy who plays physical. His versatility is pretty special."
K-State was the first to offer Elston a scholarship on October 11, 2023. Arkansas offered him a scholarship in January. Missouri offered him March.
"We were at Oklahoma State getting ready for a game, and I got a chance that evening to watch his film," Anderson said.
Then Anderson discovered a connection: Deuce Vaughn's father, Chris Vaughn, had an old teammate, Reggie Swinton, who was Elston's youth coach.
"So that's how that all kind of got started," Anderson said. "Then we had him up for a game. He was up here three times before his official visit. We stayed on it and weathered the storm because I knew people were going to recruit him, but once we started the process and built a good relationship with him and his family, it was a go."
Elston took his official visit to K-State on June 21, where he met sophomore running back Dylan Edwards.
"Dylan told me how they do things and I'd seen film on Dylan," Elston said. "I liked the way they used him on the field."
Elston committed to K-State on July 6.
"It felt good," he said. "The fan base showed me a lot of love. They made me feel appreciated."
Elston then had an opportunity to see Bill Snyder Family Stadium rocking when he attended the Sunflower Showdown on October 26.
"It was really live," Elston said. "Right when I got up there, I got to go through the tailgating and some of the fans knew me. I already knew it was going to be a good day."
And he aspires for many good days to come in the Little Apple.
"The coaches really care about me," he said. "They treat me like family. They want me for me, and they have a plan to use me. They're going to let me play everything and not just put me in different situations."
Elston plans to arrive at K-State on January 19 as an early enrollee and plans to participate in spring workouts.
"I've learned that I don't worry about other people," he said. "I worry about myself. If you're in the way, I'm going to compete, and I won't let you get in the way."
It's music to Anderson's ears.
"His upside is tremendous," Anderson said. "His potential is as high as it can be. He's going to get here in January, which is nice, and come in and learn the offense. He'll get an opportunity to put his best foot forward to play early."
The possibilities seem virtually endless.
It isn't that Kansas State running backs coach Brian Anderson is having flashbacks. But the size is there. And so are the feet. And the vision. If there's one aspect of the game that separates incoming freshman Monterrio Elston Jr. from the great Deuce Vaughn it is this: For as much as the 5-foot-7, 175-pound Elston might shine at running back, he is even more capable and talented at wide receiver, particularly in the slot, where when left one-on-one, he's going to juke, and turn on his 4.40 laser-timed jets, and go the distance.
"You're always going to compare guys because of their size," Anderson said. "At the end of the day, you're going to see a difference in the two. Monterrio was used more as a receiver in high school but then played some running back, so his receiving skills as a route runner are going to be more developed at an early age than Deuce. Monterrio played so much receiver in high school whereas Deuce played running back."
Elston, always the fastest and quickest player on his teams growing up, first caught the eye of Parkview (Ark.) High School head coach Brad Bolding his eighth-grade year.
"He was a freak," Bolding said. "And he went on to start for us as a freshman."
Elston's playmaking ability reached a new level as everyone in attendance at his first varsity game at Parkview High School witnessed the grand awakening when Elston fielded the first kickoff of his career — and returned it for a touchdown. Elston played on the ninth-grade team only until the varsity season began, then he was off to the races with the big boys.
Except Elston didn't start at running back on the varsity team his freshman year. He played behind two future FBS running backs. Instead, he started at slot receiver and as a kickoff and punt returner.
"When I got to varsity, we had too many running backs, so I played receiver," Elston said. "After I got the route running down, it took a couple of years, but I got really good."
Elston, who amassed more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns his senior season, recently helped lead Parkview High to its third-straight state championship.
"He's a real dude now," Bolding said. "He can do things that no one can coach, and he has an awful lot of God-given ability, obviously. If they still had phone booths, you wouldn't be able to touch him in one. He's just a different breed, man, and I've coached a bunch of them. He's up there with that top group of guys that I've even had go onto play in the NFL.
"He reminds me of Darren Sproles and Deuce Vaughn and the other ones that K-State has had who are like him."
Elston earned first team all-state honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. He totaled 1,854 all-purpose yards (847 rushing, 887 receiving, 120 return) his junior season.
"He has that ability to do multiple things on the field," Anderson said. "His versatility is really, really special as far as being a running back, a receiver, a guy who can make people miss, and a guy who plays physical. His versatility is pretty special."
K-State was the first to offer Elston a scholarship on October 11, 2023. Arkansas offered him a scholarship in January. Missouri offered him March.
"We were at Oklahoma State getting ready for a game, and I got a chance that evening to watch his film," Anderson said.
Then Anderson discovered a connection: Deuce Vaughn's father, Chris Vaughn, had an old teammate, Reggie Swinton, who was Elston's youth coach.
"So that's how that all kind of got started," Anderson said. "Then we had him up for a game. He was up here three times before his official visit. We stayed on it and weathered the storm because I knew people were going to recruit him, but once we started the process and built a good relationship with him and his family, it was a go."
Elston took his official visit to K-State on June 21, where he met sophomore running back Dylan Edwards.
"Dylan told me how they do things and I'd seen film on Dylan," Elston said. "I liked the way they used him on the field."
Elston committed to K-State on July 6.
"It felt good," he said. "The fan base showed me a lot of love. They made me feel appreciated."
Elston then had an opportunity to see Bill Snyder Family Stadium rocking when he attended the Sunflower Showdown on October 26.
"It was really live," Elston said. "Right when I got up there, I got to go through the tailgating and some of the fans knew me. I already knew it was going to be a good day."
And he aspires for many good days to come in the Little Apple.
"The coaches really care about me," he said. "They treat me like family. They want me for me, and they have a plan to use me. They're going to let me play everything and not just put me in different situations."
Elston plans to arrive at K-State on January 19 as an early enrollee and plans to participate in spring workouts.
"I've learned that I don't worry about other people," he said. "I worry about myself. If you're in the way, I'm going to compete, and I won't let you get in the way."
It's music to Anderson's ears.
"His upside is tremendous," Anderson said. "His potential is as high as it can be. He's going to get here in January, which is nice, and come in and learn the offense. He'll get an opportunity to put his best foot forward to play early."
The possibilities seem virtually endless.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ FootballThursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, June 09
