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COLLEGE STATION – Mike Goodson's son zigged and zagged through the tunnels at Kyle Field on a hot July day.

The energetic 3-year-old, known to family and friends as "Mike Mike," was a challenge to corral – a scene that Texas A&M hopes might be repeated on a bigger stage by his father.

Everything seems to be in place for the breakout season that has been expected from Goodson since 2006.

He's finally got the right coach, right system and right role to fulfill the potential that people saw in high school.

With a limited frame of reference, new coach Mike Sherman hedged slightly in his assessment.

The key, Sherman said, is consistency.

"I've never gone through a season with Mike," Sherman said. "He still has to go do it on a regular basis, week-in, week-out.

"What I saw in the spring was very impressive. If he can carry over what I saw of him ... into the season and do it on a weekly basis and be consistent, he can be that guy."

Goodson, now a junior, was rated as the state's top running back prospect at Klein Collins High School in 2005. Even Southern Cal, with its stockpile of five-star talent, courted Goodson. The Trojans assigned future Heisman winner Reggie Bush as Goodson's host during an official visit.

He chose to be an Aggie instead, impressed by the Kyle Field atmosphere.

At A&M, he has shown flashes, the opportunities limited by the offensive choices under former coach Dennis Franchione.

While Goodson has averaged 5.56 yards per carry in his career, he's carried the ball fewer than 10 times in 11 of his 26 games. Last season, he started just once, losing touches to Jorvorskie Lane and to quarterback Stephen McGee.

The team also had the added distraction of dealing with the surreal Franchione-VIP Connection-buyout saga.

"That was a lot of turmoil, a lot of confusion with our team; a lot of things went on," Goodson said. "I think change any time is good."

Especially for Goodson, especially this season.

Sherman has installed a pro-style offense this year. Lane is now a fulltime fullback, better suiting his 290-pound frame than an option halfback. McGee probably won't lead the team in rushing this season.

Instead of going trendy with the spread, A&M will have a retro look. Goodson will be the featured back in Sherman's pro-style offense that's heavy on the tailback-friendly I-formation.

If Goodson gets the touches, if he stays healthy and if the unproven offensive line can open some holes, then he could equal his career total of 1,558 yards in one season.

"I've never run out of an I," said Goodson, who ran the Wing-T in high school and the option for his first two seasons at A&M. "It's kind of a dream come true ... to run the I."

Goodson's reasoning lies in all the different running lanes the I provides.

"It's a chance to use my vision," Goodson said. "You line up seven yards deep and you can go either way you want. The option kind of forces you to one side."