TOWSON, Md. - After their third pre-season practice session, it is obvious that competition for playing time in the offensive backfield will be very intense for at least the next few weeks.

Reno Ferri, the Tigers' new running backs coach, is the first one to admit that the Tigers have a lot of talent in the backfield.

"It is extremely competitive right now," says Ferri, who joined the Tiger coaching staff during the Spring. "We have a great mixture of talent and experience. I can promise you that this is a much better situation than what we had in the Spring. There were times when we were fortunate to have four healthy backs."

Juniors Tremayne Dameron and Dominque Booker (right) have the most experience of the Tiger backs. Dameron has been the team's workhorse the last two seasons. In 22 games, he has carried the ball 305 times and he has gained 1,065 yards while scoring 13 touhcdowns. Booker has rushed for 485 yards the last two years.

"Tremyane and Dominique both have a great deal of experience," says Ferri. "They know what we want to do on offense and they have talent."

Coach Ferri points out that the Tigers have three talented newcomers who bring a different set of skills to the team.

Trea Jones, a transfer from Colorado, has joined freshmen Clayton Minott and Terrance West to add more speed and quickness to the backfield.

Jones is a native of Wake Forest, N.C. who rushed for 4,307 yards and scored 52 touchdowns in his high school career. A product of Wilmington, Del. who graduated from Concord High School, Minott helped the Raiders win a conference championship. A graduate of Northwestern High School, West was one of the stars of the Tigers' spring practice. He ran for 89 yards on 15 carries and scored a touchdown in the 2011 Tiger Bowl.

"The newcomers bring a different set of skills," says Ferri. "They are all fast and quick."

At the fullback position, Ferri says the competition is a dead heat. Seniors Tyler Wharton and Paul Stefanik are battling for playing time with junior Billy Stup.

"All three of our fullbacks are working hard and performing at a high level," says Ferri. "It is going to be interesting how all of this turns out. This is a good group to work with and I am confident they will do well."

The Tigers will hold their fourth pre-season practice on Thursday afternoon.