NORTH CARROLLTON – The J.Z. George Jaguars are looking to Chris Rias to play a more significant role during the 2017 season.
“He’s going to play running back, tight end, and if I have to play him, offensive line,” said Jaguars Head Coach Ben Burton. “I like him at running back.”
Burton said, depending on how the season goes, Rias could compete in other positions.
The six-foot-four-inch, 200-pound junior started on defense in about nine games last year, earning him fourth place among fellow Jaguars in tackles, according to Burton.
“All he played was defense last year. He’s going to have to be one of those guys who’s going to have to play a significant role this year,” said Burton, adding he expects Rias to step up more as a leader although he is a junior.
He went on to say, “I expect him to be a leader. I expect him to improve offensively and defensively.”
Rias has proven to be a good student who works diligently to improve his skills on the field, which has continued during training across the summer.
“He’s a hard worker. He always does what he’s supposed to,” said Burton. “He’s made every day, and he’s done everything I expected of him.”
Burton said Rias has the work ethic to compete at the next level, and Rias said he plans to attend college after he graduates in 2019 and hopes to play on the collegiate level.
“Nobody is going to out-work the kid,” said Burton. “He has to work for everything.”
