Everybody knows Raymond. Ditto for Marcus and Mike.
That freshman triumvirate makes up the Pitt tailback position, with Raymond Kirkley at No. 1 on the depth chart, Marcus Furman at No. 1-A and Mike Jemison at No. 2.
The rotating tailbacks have combined for 966 yards on 223 carries (4.1 yards per attempt) for the Panthers (6-5), who play North Carolina State (7-4) in the Visit Florida Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Fla., a week from today.
All three will likely see playing time against the Wolfpack, but let's look deeper into the future, into next season when they are all a year older and a year wiser.
One of the three could be moved out of his current position by 2002, simply because there are too many of them. Add in the fact that Alabama transfer Brandon Miree will be eligible next season - he's practiced with the team since Week 2 - and you have a Parkway East-sized traffic jam on your hands.
The odd man out could be Jemison - a powerful athlete who could play fullback or defense - but nothing is certain. Pitt, of course, could go with four tailbacks next fall, but that would be counterproductive, especially if one of them can help at another spot.
Running backs coach Shawn Simms understands that the backfield is overflowing with bodies, but he said it is far too early to make any personnel decisions.
"You just have to see how things happen and go from there," Simms said. "If changes need to be made, they will be made."
The three active tailbacks have shown glimpses of their ability throughout the year, while Miree has watched from a distance as a scout-team player.
Here is a rundown of all four of the backs:
With so many backs running around at Pitt, the competition for the starting job should be fierce at spring drills and fall camp, which is not a bad thing, according to Simms.
"The guys have experience now, and they understand things better," Simms said. "We're going to use them as we see fit. We don't look at the position as a place for individuals. We look at it as a place for all of them to contribute to the team. They all bring something to the table, and we want to get the best out of them. They have enough chances to prove themselves."
Furman understands Simms' tailback-by-committee philosophy, but that doesn't mean he's opposed to being the top guy.
"You always want to be the starter, the person who gets the chances to run the ball all the time," said Furman, who was used extensively late in the season after switching from wide receiver to tailback in Week 3.
Furman started the year at tailback but asked to move to receiver during training camp. He eventually was switched to his original spot.
"There are four of us going after it the best we can. And when it's all said and done, some will play and some won't. I just hope I'm one of the ones getting to play," Furman said.
It's a safe bet that Kirkley, Jemison and Miree feel the same way.
NOTE -- Junior wide receiver Antoino Bryant (ankle) ran at practice Wednesday night, but did not participate in contact drills. He remains day-to-day for the Tangerine Bowl.
