Donald Buckram rushed for more than 1,600 yards last season. (Image: Jeff Taylor)

EL PASO, TEXAS – Donald Buckram had one of the best statistical seasons as a UTEP running back and how does he want to follow it up?

Healthy and strong would be the two words he’d use first.

So far so good as he underwent surgery to fix an injured knee he sustained last season.

“I had knee surgery in December and did rehab,” Buckram said. “It feels good now. It gets a little sore, so the coaches sit me out, no contact deal. I’m running fine and feel good out here.”

That’s good to hear when you have to imagine that Buckram will be at the top of the list to receive a bulk of the carries, just like he did a year ago.

“We know what he can do,” Price said of Buckram. “We want to make sure he stays healthy, we want to get him a bigger and stronger upper body so that he can protect himself. I’d like him to come in at 200 pounds of muscle.”

It’s amazing to think that Buckram was a 5-foot 9 inch 175 athlete when he walked onto the UTEP campus.

The first thing I thought was he’d be a great track star with his blazing speed. Never did I think he’d be able to take a beating on a football field, especially with that build. Now, Buckram’s at 196 pounds, according to Price, and even grew a few inches to his 5-foot 10 inch frame.

Again, it’s not the prototypical size that you’d expect from a stud running back but that’s where he breaks the mold and shows what makes him so special.

As he put it, he’s a mixture of strength and speed.

“There’s a fine line between getting big and getting slower and getting big and staying fast,” Buckram said. “I’ve been trying to gradually get my weight up and keep my same speed to where I can still breakaway.”

Those breakaway runs are a thing of beauty.

I can still remember the replay of Buckram outrunning every player on the field on a screen pass from then quarterback Jordan Palmer, in his first season at UTEP, against UAB in Birmingham, Ala. He turned what looked like a short gain into an 80-yard touchdown, untouched I may add.

That was the start of Buckram’s career, as a true freshman, with his No. 30 jersey.

Since then he’s attempted to get stronger and even had a number change, he wears No. 3. Joking, he told that he even think he can knock a few people over now.

“I think with the momentum I run with I can still run some people over,” Buckram said smiling. “I’m sure not a heavier guy but I can still manage to take on corners and safeties.”

Donald Buckram is looking to become stronger and faster than last year. (Photo: Todd Ryden)

He’ll be able to take on more than that in his final year at UTEP. Last season he had the weight of the UTEP offense on his shoulders. He was able to take that in stride and rush for 1,638 yards and 18 touchdowns.

This season may be different though. From the looks of it, Buckram wants to make sure that he can help his team in any way he can.

“Honestly I think he’s set a team set of goals,” running backs coach Jeff Banks said. “I think last year he wanted to prove to himself that he could be the No. 1 back in this league (Conference USA West Division), in this conference (C-USA) and on this team.”

He did that and more last season and by the looks of it would like a repeat when the 2010 season gets underway.

“I think he knows he knows he’s going to play well,” Banks said. “He’s got confidence, it’s behind him.”

Buckram agrees.

“I feel good,” Buckram said. “I’d say I’m at 100 percent but I just don’t want it (the injury) to get tweaked in spring ball.”

That shouldn’t be a problem as Price and his staff have made it a point to tone down the reps for the senior tailback.

“We’re going to make sure he’s crisp and that his timing is down,” Price said. “He may not have scrimmages of 200 or 300 yards.”