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Devy Notes: Running Back Turnstiles

Bruce Matson Posted On July 1, 2019
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Running backs come and go in college football. It’s the nature of the game. The juniors and seniors leave for the NFL and the blue-chip recruits enter the spring practices with a twinkle in their eye.

Knowing the next man up can help determine who will be the next breakout player. The landscape in college football is always changing, making it very entertaining, to say the least.

A NEW NITTANY LION

After losing Miles Sanders to the NFL, the Nittany Lions will need to fill their void at running back. After churning out two high-level running back prospects to the NFL, the program has become one of the top running back factories in the nation. Needless to say, all eyes will be on Penn State’s run game to see if there’s another talented running back waiting in the wings.

Sophomore running back Ricky Slade is slotted to be the team’s starting running back. He’s a five-star prospect who packs a lot of potential. Last year he contributed 257 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

His game is different from Sanders and Saquon Barkley. Slade likes to find the running lane and quickly blow through the hole. He’s a very decisive runner who does a good job of finding the open running lane. Athleticism is also there, and once he hits the second level his speed makes him a big threat to the defense. The potential is certainly there, making him a must watch on Saturdays this season.

Three-star redshirt sophomore running back Journey Brown has the backup running back spot locked up. It also appears that he may push Slade into a committee if he continues to play well. He will see a large uptick in carries if Slade would ever go down with an injury.

There’s another talented running back emerging from the shadows in Happy Valley. Noah Cain is a true freshman who enrolled at Penn State in January. He’s a four-star recruit who is already turning heads. At the team’s spring game, he rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also reeled in an eight-yard touchdown pass.

Slade and Brown will obviously get first crack at the touches out of the backfield, but don’t be surprised if Cain gets worked into the mix. If the players in front of him don’t play to expectations, then we could see him break out this year.

AMBIGUITY AT NOTRE DAME

Jafar Armstrong will be Notre Dame’s lead back going into the season. Although he just has 383 rushing yards on 72 carries on his career, his receiving prowess provides a much-needed versatile skill set to the team’s offensive attack. Those skills, combined with his burst and short area quickness, make him an under-the-radar breakout candidate this season.

Backing up Armstrong will be Tony Jones Jr, a 220-pound back who grinds the ball between that tackles. He will serve the offense in short yardage and goal-line situations. He’s not considered a rosterable prospect in devy since he only has 793 yards from scrimmage in the last three seasons.

Redshirt freshman Jahmir Smith turned heads this spring with his aggressive play style. His 56 rushing yards and two touchdowns during the team’s spring game solidified himself as the RB3 on the depth chart. If Armstrong were to miss time due to an injury, then Smith would see an increase in touches.

Another running back to keep an eye on is four-star freshman Kyren Williams. He flashed talent during the spring practices and could be a key contributor to the offense somewhere down the line. Look for him to move up the depth chart during his sophomore or junior seasons.

Redshirt freshman C’Bo Flemister hasn’t seen many opportunities to prove himself. With Smith stepping up to take over the RB3 role, Flemister might be on the outside looking in.

STARTING JOB UP FOR GRABS IN MICHIGAN

Freshman running back Zach Charbonnet is a 6-foot-2 and 215-pound monster and will be competing to be the team’s workhorse back this off-season. His blend of size and speed will help the Wolverines establish the run. I wouldn’t be surprised if he led all freshman running backs in rushing yards this year. The only thing holding him back is that he is currently nursing a minor knee injury but he should be ready for the season opener.

There are two other running backs who are also campaigning for playing time. Redshirt freshman Christian Turner impressed the coaching staff during spring practices. Then there’s Tru Wilson, who started his career at Michigan as a walk-on safety who transitioned to running back last season. Like any former defensive player, Wilson loves contact and is not afraid to lower his shoulder and drill a defender to pick up an extra yard.

Chris Evans was expected to be the team’s main back going into the season is no longer with the team. He is more than likely not suiting up in the maize and blue this season. The loss of Evans will allow some of the younger running backs like Charbonnet to get some extra carries this season.

The team converted Hassan Haskins from linebacker to running back. He runs with a lot of power and can grind out the tough yards between the tackles. He’s also capable of catching the ball out of the backfield and making plays in the open field.

The starting job is up for grabs in Michigan. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Charbonnet is definitely the blue chipper you want to get hold of in devy leagues since he holds the most long-term potential.

bruce matson
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