Football | August 30, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - LeVante Bellamy is a different type of running back.

Sure, the Western Michigan senior loves to tote the football, fake every defender out of his socks and sprint by them for a touchdown.

But, when asked what he does well, the first thing out of the mouth of the 5-foot, 9-inch running back is, ''I'm a great pass protector.''

He and the rest of the running backs will be tasked to do that and much more when the Broncos open the 2019 season against Monmouth University on Saturday at Waldo Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.

Bellamy's running ability, and durability, was shown last season when he helped WMU to a 7-6 overall record and spot in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. He played in all 13 games, rushing for a team high 1,262 yards and scoring six touchdowns. His average of 94.5 yards per game was second best in the Mid-American Conference.

''Last year, I feel for me it was developing as a running back and showing I could hold up for a whole season as a pass protector and with carrying the load,'' he said. ''The expectation for this year is that every day I want to show up and work.''

In fact, Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester has held Bellamy back in practice a bit to give the remaining running backs more touches.

''He has been on fire since the first 10 days of camp,'' the coach said. ''He has one speed and it's like Mach 10. He trains like a pro. Once we knew he was there with his weight was good and that mentally, he was ready. We then backed him down so Davon Tucker and the rest of the backs could have a lot more reps in the offense.''

It seems like weight has always been an issue for Bellamy. When he first started out playing football as a light-weight fourth grader, he played tight end and then was a slot receiver, which helped him develop as a pass catcher. It also kept him out of the trenches so he wouldn't get hurt by the bigger players.

''I didn't start playing running back until my freshman year in high school, when another player got hurt,'' Bellamy said. ''At first I didn't like it because of the hits and I was small. After a while, you learn to like the lead role of being a running back on the football team. It molds you, it changes you and it develops you as a person, which is what I needed. I feel like God had a plan for me and it worked out.''

His mother wasn't so sure, though.

''She didn't like me playing football,'' the senior said with a smile. ''When I was young and got hit, she would run on the field because she didn't like that. She would grab me off the sidelines and take me home. After a while of me getting hit, of having the wind knocked out of me but wanting to go back out on the field, of assuring her I was all right, she let me play.''

It was that weight which concerned Lester, too, especially when his top running back got sick this past January and had his weight drop to 150 pounds. Bellamy is now back to 187.

''We got him back to 165 pounds at one point this spring, and I was talking to Bellamy on a day he wasn't practicing and told him on the field we couldn't wait to get him back to 190 because no one would take him down,'' Lester said. ''And the first thing he said was that when he gained back the weight, he would be able to pass protect.

''It wasn't about scoring, it was about protecting Jon [Wassink, WMU's senior quarterback], and he couldn't do that at this weight. It was good to see his mindset.''

Bellamy also knows Western Michigan will need more help than just him and fellow senior Davon Tucker in the backfield. Last season's big bruising back, Jamauri Bogan, and his 16 rushing touchdowns have graduated. Also returning in the backfield is sophomore Ra'Sean Davie and Lester brought in two junior college backs along with several freshmen recruits like Christian Singleton and Sean Tyler.

WMU also has a new running backs coach this season in Mike Bath.

''Mike has done a great job with the backs,'' Lester said. ''When he first came in, he had a meeting with LeVante right away, saying this was Levante's (running backs) room and what can coach do to make it better. After their first meeting, LeVante came down to my office and gave me a thumbs up, saying coach Bath is going to make us even better.''

Bellamy also interacts with many members of his team, which Lester appreciates.

''He's very in tune to the players and how they are feeling,'' the coach said. ''If these kids have issues, he helps the coaches keep in front of them, to help the players keep positive and help them get through it, whether it's at home, on the field or in the classroom. He helps me smooth out things.''

Bellamy is a smooth runner, too. He will make several cuts on a play, hit the open field and his 4.23 40-yard speed is hard to catch. Wassink knows how huge the running game is to his passing game.

''Jon has to make a lot of decisions back there and understands the offense so well, that his decisions are putting LeVante in better and better situations,'' Lester said.

And it all starts with the offensive linemen, who are the best friends of the guys in the backfield.

''This offensive line is the best in the MAC,'' Bellamy said. ''I don't know of many offensive lines who are as strong, fast and physical as our guys. We just all have to stay healthy and focus on the details.''

One detail Bellamy, who already has graduated with a degree in finance, will let play out is the National Football League.

''As far as a possible spot on an NFL team goes, if it happens, it happens,'' he said. ''We're all just going to leave it on the field this season.''

And gain a little more weight.

#LetsRide