Jeff Backes didn’t have to do an Irish jig, give a speech about saving the world or wear a Speedo while smiling for the judges. He only participated in one talent competition — high school football.
Backes didn’t just participate. At running back, he dominated his state and was crowned Ohio’s 2000 “Mr. Football,” the top honor for a football player. Past winners of the prestigious award include current and former NFL players Andy Katzenmoyer, Charles Woodson and Robert Smith. Maurice Clarett, last year’s winner, is a Heisman Trophy candidate with Ohio State.
Each year newspapers and television stations across the state publicize the accomplishments of the best high school player, and Backes probably had more fans that year than the Cincinnati Bengals.
Two years later, Backes will have his first opportunity to play in front of the fans he wooed in high school when Ohio State and its scarlet army invade Evanston on Saturday.
But this time the 2000 “Mr. Football” will be playing against the beloved Buckeyes. And when he faces the team that recruited him, Backes will be playing a new position, wide receiver.
“People in Ohio still know who former President Reagan is, and people in Ohio still know who Jeff Backes is,” said Darrell Mayne, Backes’ coach at Upper Arlington High School, located only miles from the Horseshoe. “People in Ohio love him. He was held in such high regard, and he was and still is a heart-fixture.”
Backes set a state record with 3,354 yards rushing and had 44 touchdowns as a senior while leading Upper Arlington to a 15-0 record and its first state championship.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder also started at safety, racking up seven interceptions and more than 100 tackles in his final year.
“In Columbus, everyone still asks about how Jeff is doing and he is a celebrity around Upper Arlington,” said Simon Fraser, a high school teammate and current Ohio State defensive end. “When he is in town everyone still knows him as Mr. Backes.”
Despite being highly recruited by Ohio State, Backes decided to head west when signing day came around in 2000.
“It was a big deal and people were shocked when he announced his decision at the school,” Mayne said. “But the way Jeff handled it made everyone understand why he did it.”
Before making his decision public, Backes contacted Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel to explain his reasons for choosing Northwestern.
The chance to make an impact early and the Wildcats’ running back-friendly spread offense led Backes to NU.
“I kind of worried some people would throw the word ‘traitor’ out, but I’m not really a guy that’s conscious of that,” Backes said. “I had to go where I felt most comfortable, and I had to look at the whole big picture.”
As a pre-med student, Backes has embraced NU’s academics; as a football player he welcomed the opportunity to play for the Cats.
After redshirting last season, the speedster entered 2002 as one of three backs competing for the starting job. But a sore shoulder and impressive performances from Jason Wright and Noah Herron have limited Backes to special teams duty the past few weeks.
“I look over on the sideline at Navy and he is by me the whole game,” NU coach Randy Walker said. “I think he’s a good enough player to be on the field somewhere, so let’s find a place for that kid.”
Wide receiver is the spot Walker found for a guy who runs a 4.3 40-yard dash and has a 44 1/2-inch vertical leap.
This is not a new situation for Backes, who moved to wide receiver his sophomore year of high school because his team had a senior at running back.
“Obviously, running back is what I am at heart, but I would rather be on the field than the sideline,” Backes said. “And if that is going to help me get out there, I’m all for it.”
Walker feels Backes, who is fifth on the team in total yards, can make some big plays at wide receiver. But he knows Backes’ future is at running back.
“Jeff Backes is going to be a running back here,” Walker said. “And he is going to be a great one.”
