March 09, 1999
Texas A&M's Ja'Mar Toombs is hardly an unknown commodity after having one of the best rushing seasons ever by an Aggie freshman running back in 1998, but that didn't keep the 260-pound Toombs from catching head coach R.C. Slocum's eye during spring football workouts on Tuesday.
Toombs, who rushed for 422 yards as a true freshman last season, has always run with power, but impressed Slocum with his quickness and elusiveness during the Aggies' two-hour workout at the grass practice facility.
"Ja'Mar Toombs really caught my eye today," Slocum said. "He appears to have slimmed-down. I thought he looked much quicker out there today than he did last season."
The only member of the Aggies' 1998 signing class that didn't redshirt, Toombs took over the starting role at the "B" in the third game of the season and broke the century mark in rushing twice in 1998.
"I think he's quicker because he is maturing and his body is catching up to his growth," Slocum added. "He's of those guys that works hard and has a lot of talent. Some guys have all the talent but don't work hard. Ja'Mar pushed himself in our offseason strength and conditioning workouts and it's paid off for him."
Notes -- Watching the Aggies practice on Tuesday was former A&M standout and current Minnesota Viking Hunter Goodwin. Goodwin, who plays tight end in the NFL, earned all-conference honors at offensive tackle for the Aggies in 1995.