Northwestern running back Tyris Jones is just one guy among an interesting bunch.

"It's a crazy group," Jones said of the Wildcats' running backs.

Jones, who scored on an eight-yard run during the NU spring game Saturday at Ryan Field, is hoping his eight carries for 16 yards will make enough of an impression on Wildcat coaches to use him more in the fall.

"My focus is to let coaches know that I can play running back on every down," Jones said. "The goal is to show them I could be a starter. I think I did well for what I was given [Saturday], but I think I made strides and I'm excited about that."

Besides Jones, the "crazy group" includes Mike Trumpy -- who has been out with a torn ACL since the Illinois game last October, -- Treyvon Green, Venric Mark, Jordan Perkins and Tim Hanrahan. And then you add freshman recruit Malin Jones of Joliet Catholic to the mix, a running back who racked up over 4,000 career yards in high school, and you've got a pretty decent crew.

But just don't forget about Jones.

"They have no choice but to remember the investment I made in offseason workouts and in spring ball," Jones said. "But if I come out and I digress, it could wipe away a good spring. I need to build on the good spring I had. But this will stick in their minds."