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Jamire Westbrook took to twitter to tell the world of his transfer.
Officially a Bearcat now 👌
— Jamire Westbrook (@Jw_GQ5) January 14, 2014
Go ahead and make your Sid Gillman jokes. I'll wait.
This is a strange move, the opposite of how transfers between Cincinnati and MAC schools usually go. Doubly so when you consider the long standing enmity between the two programs involved. But the circumstances at Miami with the new coach, and the relative lack of depth among the Bearcats running backs makes it something of a win win for UC and Westbrook.
Westbrook was the leading rusher for the Redhawks in 2012 as a true freshman. But he found himself the odd man out in the Redhawks triple option offense this year rushing 7 times for 17 yards in three games before being lost to injury. He must have felt himself to be out of the plans of the new staff to make this decision.
For the Bearcats its all about the running back depth chart after next year. Just look at the roster at running back. Five guys in total, and three of them will be seniors a year from now. The only for sure running back in this recruiting class is Franklin Labady, the one who practices non linear football. But he will be the only running back aged a sophomore or younger on the roster come the summer of 2015.
Enter Westbrook who will gain his eligibility as Tion Green presumably embarks upon his final season in Clifton. The one thing that Westbrook has going for him is his experience. He has played in live games, against some big programs, and produced reasonably well given his lack of support up front. Westbrook will add depth to a running back core which will need it.
