Position Previews: Running Backs

It’s time we start breaking down each position as the season will be here in about 2 months. I don’t have any inside information, so these are mainly guesses on my part and if you take anything away from this, it’s the opportunity for a discussion.

Possible Starters:

Big Backs:
Cameron Dickey (5-10, 215) Jr-2L
Quinten Joyner (5-11, 220) Jr-Sq

Dickey ran for 1,124 yards on 209 carries, for 5.38 per touch, 14 touchdowns, and 80 yards a game. Pretty incredible considering he was splitting time and those 1,124 yards was good enough for 24th in the nation last year. As a true freshman for USC, Joyner was slightly used, 63 rushes for 478 yards, 7.59 per touch, and 3 touchdowns. I think the thing that’s most surprising is the yards per touch at 220 pounds. That’s pretty impressive. And I think we all know that Dickey is the likely starter and Joyner and Williams will fill in gaps, but I sort of expect the 3 of them to be a 3-headed monster.

Speed Backs:
J’Koby Williams (5-10, 185) Jr-2L

The news from the spring is that the staff wants to use Williams all over the place, not just at running back, simlar to Malachi Toney, who had 109 receptions last year for 1,211 yards and just 113 rushing yards. I can’t imagine that Williams will be largely turned into a receiver. Williams had 155 rushes, 868 yards, 5.6 yards a run, 6 touchdowns, while he caught 35 passes for 388 yards, 2 touchdowns and 11 yards a reception.

Likely Back-Ups:

Big Backs:
Ashton Rowden (5-11, 205) Fr-HS
Sawyer Wilkerson (6-0, 200) Fr-Tr
Loic Tshibangu (6-0, 210) Jr-RS

I’d imagine that Rowden will get some carries this year, especially with the 5-for-5 rule now done and there’s no concern about redshirting. Rowden was hurt his senior year, but he still played 7 games and had 955 all-purpose yards. I thought it would be fun to post his Hudl highlights just for grins and giggles. I am also posting Wilkerson’s Hudl video. I didn’t know a ton about him, he played for Comanche for 3 years and then transferred to Stephenville his senior year. And to catch you up as well, Tshibangu is a European player from Belgium, both he and Wilkerson are walk-on’s.

Speed Backs:
Michael Henderson III (5-9, 185) Fr-RS

I’ll be honest in that I’m a bit surprised that Henderson is still at running back, I thought he might go back to defensive back, but as you’ll note, he and Williams are the only smaller or speed backs on the team, so maybe this is how his role gets carved out. I’m absolutely okay with that.