The running back insurance policy may turn out to be much more than a safety net.

Jeremy Francis could be a front-line player for the Oregon State football team.

After two weeks of spring practice, the junior college transfer adapted quickly and is making progress in the competition for the starting tailback job this fall.

“Jeremy Francis is a really versatile player, and an excellent receiver,” coach Mike Riley said. “I could see him being a third-down guy. He’s big enough to be a second back, if we want him to be. We’ll see how he fits in.”

Redshirt freshman Ryan McCants has the inside track to be the starter because he has been in the program for a year, but Riley brings in junior college players to make immediate impacts and not just for depth.

And the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Francis has been impressive with how well he is adapting to the system and physical workload. He carries himself like he’s been here as long as McCants.

“Everything has been going good,” Francis said. “I’m getting used to the system. I’m catching up pretty fast. I like to do that in everything, not just football. It helps me out in life.”

Francis was an early commitment in last year’s recruiting period. He is from El Camino College in the Los Angeles area.

However, he’s originally from Winter Park, Fla. He signed with Wake Forest as a strong safety out of Lake Howell High, but had to work on his academics.

Since there are no junior college football teams in Florida, he looked west and tried one of the better two-year programs in the nation. El Camino helped 24 players receive college scholarships after last season.

“It was a great college, and the competition was great,” Francis said. “It was difficult the first year after coming across the country, but I got comfortable the first year. I had goals to accomplishe, so that kept me focused. And the coaches there were able to really prepare me for this.”

Wake Forest may have liked Francis as a safety, but his heart is in carrying the ball. He tried it at El Camino and excelled in a backup role behind Taveras Pressley, who is headed to Florida State.

Rivals.com still ranked Francis the 47th-best junior-college prospect in the country with limited playing time.

It wasn’t hard to get noticed at El Camino. The coaching staff is well-connected, and Division I programs annually shop there for their needs.

“All the Division I schools knew we had good competitive athletes and were always on campus recruiting,” Francis said. “I wasn’t worried or minded splitting time with Taveras Pressley. We brought the best out of each other.”

That’s why he is going after the starting spot at OSU aggressively. He knows the pressure to fight for a position.

Francis wants to play more than sporadically, which is why he picked the Beavers. With no running back coming back with much playing experience, he figures this is his chance.

“I feel really confident going after it, and I’m not afraid of competition with the other running backs,” Francis said. “The depth chart played a big role in me coming here, and the coaches played a big role. I’m comfortable with them already, but the depth chart was the most important thing.”

Francis was brought in just in case McCants couldn’t handle the load of being the primary back. And even if he can, Francis is one of those players you find a way to get on the field.

Riley is considering him as an H-back, who goes in motion out of the backfield, blocks and goes out for passes. He has the size and hands for the role.

That’s a start, but Francis wants more.

“I need to improve my balance and agility,” Francis said. “Being at a junior college, we didn’t really work in the weight room much. So I want to become a complete player here. I want to better myself, and do whatever they need.”