Gonzaga Prep RB Bamis learns the defensive side

There’s no doubt Jack is nimble and Jack is quick.

Based on his jumping abilities in track, Jack can vault over a candlestick.

But truth be known, Gonzaga Prep senior running back Jack Bamis would rather run through a defender than around him.

Eight regional colleges are recruiting Bamis, but they project the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder at a defensive position – either rush defensive end, outside linebacker or strong safety. That’s where his 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash is most attractive.

At G-Prep, he’s most valuable in the backfield. Last year, he was the second-leading rusher in the Greater Spokane League with 1,257 yards. His size makes him difficult to corral.

Bullpups coach Dave McKenna recalls the day he first met Bamis. It was late in the summer two years ago, and McKenna’s attention was drawn to the door of the coaches’ office.

A new student had arrived at G-Prep and he wanted to meet the head football coach.

“He said, ‘I want to play football, coach,’ ” McKenna said.

McKenna is sure the statement was punctuated with ‘sir.’ Bamis is respectful and courteous to a fault.

McKenna didn’t have to have his arm twisted to welcome Bamis to G-Prep’s football family.

Bamis’ journey to G-Prep reads like an international adventure.

He was born in France, spent some time in Spain, moved with his family to Spokane where he lived from toddler age through his first semester in high school, moved back to Spain for a semester and then back to Spokane two summers ago.

Bamis is fluent in three languages (French, English and Spanish) and can speak two others (Italian and Latin).

McKenna has met Bamis’ mother. His dad, who has yet to watch one of his son’s football games in person, is an international businessman in imports and exports.

“Jack’s mom is a wonderful lady,” McKenna said. “You can tell she’s raised him well.”

She chose to move to Spokane because she had family in the area.

From an early age, Bamis played soccer and continued with the sport through eighth grade. He was enrolled at Lewis and Clark as a freshman and played football, but he was greener than a Granny Smith apple.

“They just told me to run left or run right,” Bamis said.

He played junior varsity as a sophomore at G-Prep.

Some thought he might be the next Bishop Sankey – the record-setting running back who spent three years at the University of Washington before skipping his senior season this fall to opt for the NFL draft. Sankey was picked by the Tennessee Titans and began the season second on the Titans’ depth chart.

Comparing the two is unfair on many levels, especially physically. First, Sankey is much smaller than Bamis. Second, Sankey is much faster than Bamis. Third, Sankey is stronger than Bamis, who has succeeded largely on natural strength to this point.

Like Sankey, though, McKenna sees a bright future for Bamis.

McKenna remembers saying Sankey would make it to the NFL someday when Sankey was a sophomore at G-Prep.

“Jack is one of the best raw athletes I’ve ever seen at Prep,” said McKenna, who has coached in various capacities at his alma mater the last 22 years. “I’m not saying he’s the most gifted football player. Not yet. But if he gets in the right (college) program, he’ll play on Sundays.”

McKenna didn’t want to draw attention to his plan, but he knows the secret will get out soon enough. In the Bullpups’ season opener, he used Bamis on two plays at defensive end.

The coach will continue to extend Bamis’ playing time on defense as the season progresses.

“It will mostly be situational things,” McKenna said.

Bamis’ eyes lights up at the prospect of having an impact on defense.

He hasn’t perfected being a running back. Fundamentally, he runs too upright.

“Jack runs tall, but he’s learning to get his pads out front,” McKenna said. “He’s so extremely explosive. He’s very raw. I’d like to see him after a college gets him for 12 months. His upside is unbelievable.”

Bamis thinks he can excel in college at defensive end or outside linebacker. His wingspan is 7 feet.

“I’ll play wherever I can succeed the best – as long as I get to hit somebody,” Bamis said. “I like running back, too, because you can run as fast as you can and hit somebody and it be legal.”