Game photos contributed by TexPix

TUSCOLA — At 5-foot-7 and 185 pounds, Jim Ned’s Cole Chittum doesn’t cast a striking figure. 

But at the end of the day, the senior running back/linebacker doesn’t have to. 

Bolstered by a low center of gravity, uncommon strength and a fearless approach to contact, the 18-year-old’s performance alone generally makes an impression. 

“He’s your typical Jim Ned running back,” Jim Ned coach Johnathon McClure said. “He got significant carries last year (due to) injuries to some of our older guys. … He’s worked really hard in the offseason to improve his overall speed, he has great lateral movement and he’ll be our Day 1 starter at running back.

“He’s a powerful runner for a small guy. He’s hard to bring down and as he gets more and more carries and works with our O-line with his vision, I’m excited to see what he can do.”