RB Situation Post-Spring

The banter about the RB position got started over in another thread, so I wrote an abridged novel to go a bit deeper into the subject.

Frank has come forward and said he wants the running back competition down to three backs by August. The good news is that all of the likely candidates have been practicing with the team all spring, as the new guys coming in the summer (Shai, D.J. Reid, Taybus Taylor) will probably all redshirt. The bad news for everyone who doesn't make the 3-man-rotation cut is that Frank wants to move the others to different positions (insert obligatory tight end joke). Let's break down the competitors:

Trey Edmunds
Although he missed the entire spring and could miss summer practice as well, it would be a shock if he is supplanted as the starter. Assuming he returns to full health, he deserves 15+ carries per game. His role in the offense is unquestioned, and therefore he takes the first of the three RB spots.

JC Coleman
This is the fun one that nobody knows what to do with. After personally watching the spring game, I didn't see JC do anything to separate himself, and as I discussed with Brian, he simply hasn't shown much improvement since his freshman year. He isn't effective between the tackles, doesn't have breakaway speed, and has difficulty breaking arm tackles. All three of these lacking aspects were apparent on a run from the 3 in the spring game, and JC had to bounce outside for the corner of the goal line but couldn't outrun the DE, and was ultimately brought down at the line of scrimmage. Because of his experience and junior status, it seems to me that the coaches prefer him more than the fans do, but it will be interesting to see what happens with JC. For now, we'll put JC on hold for one of the remaining two RB spots.

Joel Caleb
With Trey out for the spring game, the starters for Maroon and White became JC and (gasp) Joel Caleb. I personally had thought the coaches didn't have much confidence in him, but when I saw him trot out with the White first-team offense, I was surprised and happy, because I have been waiting to see more of him ever since the Western Carolina game. Not only did he score on the 27-yard run right up the middle, but he showed what JC did not: toughness between the tackles and a burst of speed at the line of scrimmage. Caleb didn't hesitate even when the gap wasn't there, he hit it anyway and took what he could get. Although he's not a massive back (6-2, 205), he ran a bit like one on Saturday. Was his performance enough to solidify his spot in the rotation? Maybe, but it certainly should put him ahead of JC.

Marshawn Williams
Juice came into the spring game with a bunch of hype, similar to that before RMFW's first spring game, but it wasn't quite the same result on the field. Marshawn didn't have a bad game, but there were no breakaway runs or truck-stick hits like we all wanted. Despite the so-so spring game, it doesn't necessarily reflect the rest of his spring (he did throw Kendall Fuller on the ground in the first scrimmage), and there is no question Juice will remain a running back. The question that comes up is that if Frank wants only a three-back rotation, would he redshirt Marshawn? Especially considering 2-3 other RBs will be redshirting? Regardless, I don't think Marshawn fully secured playing time for this year, but he most certainly warrants consideration.

Chris Mangus
Another fun one. To me, it seems that Mangus makes something happen every time he touches the ball. To the coaches, he must look more like a wide receiver based on his touches and playing time. On Saturday, Mangus made very nice cuts on multiple plays, juking out linebackers and safeties alike. The sample size yet again wasn't too large, but I thought he looked like a guy who should be in our top three. What I think, however, means just about as much as Mike London's timeouts, so the coaches may very well move him to receiver where he will again have to work to get playing time. His lack of playing time simply makes me think he will be moved.

Jerome Wright
Think we have enough running backs, guys? Jerome Wright got a decent amount of plays in Saturday's game, but I mostly saw him in on passing plays. His runs were about what you would expect, nothing flashy, but strong between the tackles. He did look more decisive than he did in the Sun Bowl, which is saying something considering he played pretty well in that game. My guess is that Wright will be moved back to fullback behind Rogers, but will still be utilized in the run game. He is a good blocker but doesn't have the size of Sam Rogers, and doesn't bring anything exceptional to the RB competition. I still like him as a runner, but situationally.

Who I want to see come out of this group and who the coaches will choose are probably very different. Trey is the obvious #1, and for me, Marshawn is the wild card. What I would want looks like:

1. Trey Edmunds
2. Joel Caleb
3. Chris Mangus

What I'm predicting to actually happen looks like:

1. Trey Edmunds
2. JC Coleman
3. Joel Caleb

If Marshawn isn't projected to crack the top 3, it would be hard not to redshirt him, but I really do want to see him on the field. I predict Mangus will move to WR, Wright will go to FB, and Marshawn will redshirt.

This is all of course based on my own reactions and perceptions post-spring game. Correct me if there are wrongdoings in the post anywhere, and feel free to fire away at my projections, because your guesses are probably better than mine.