2020 Running Backs

[TwentyTwo]

There's reason for some optimism ....2021 Mock Draft has Max Borghi as the 5th Best available Running Back....could he sneak into the late 2nd Round? Some other RB's across the nation are also talented enough to land in the NFL Draft!

Max Borghi (Jr.) 5'-10" 197 Washington State .....Soph. season Rushed for 817 yards & 11 TD's…caught team-high 83 passes for 597 yards & 5 TD's…only Power-5 player with 800+ rush yards, 550+ rec yards and 16 total TD ; getting some comparisons ; i call him Christian McCaffrey -lite

Kade Remsberg (Sr.) 5'-9" 185 Air Force ...Sub 4.4 in the 40 Speedster had 1,050 Yards Rushing & 8 TD's last season ( 178 yards vs. Wazzu in Bowl Game)...guessing he still weighs the same? Air Force 2020 Roster not updated yet

Zander Horvath (Jr.) 6'-3" 230 Purdue ....Big back 2nd on team 377 rushing yards on 79 carries & 2 TD's
• Career-high 164 yards & 2 TD's on 23 attempts vs. Indiana ; Caught 17 passes for 142 yards & TD

Zane Dudek (Sr.) 5'-9" 200 Yale.... 754 yards rushing & 8 TD's last season(216 yards vs Brown) ; Soph. struggled w ankle injury ; strong Fr. year 1st Team FCS AA ...1,133 Yards rushing; 15 TD's ; 7.1 avg

T J McDaniel (Soph.) 5'-11" 194 SMU...3rd on team 236 yards Rushing ( 41 attempts); Freshman debut 159 rushing yards & 3 TDs vs. Texas State

Mike Epstein (Jr.) 6'-0 205 Illinois ...Explosive; would be higher on list ; but "Injured" 1st game last year ; missed rest of season (Med Redshirt)
Soph.....411 rushing yards on 60 carries (6.8 yards per carry) & 3 TD's(career High 113 yds vs. USF
Fr. season led team Rushing 346 yards (6.1 avg) 3 TD's; Three Starts in 5 games (back to back 100 yard games)

Jackson McChesney (Fr?) 6'-0 205 BYU ....played final 2 games ; set Freshman Single Game Record w 228 yard game Rushing vs U. Mass ; DNP in Bowl game (injury?) ...Looking for a Break Out Season; looks like a Log jam at RB; including talented Freshman Bruce Garrett

Chad Magyar (Jr.) 6'-2" 215 UNLV...Rushed for 369 yards & TD last season ; Career high 116 yards vs. SEC Vanderbilt
Currently 2nd on Depth Chart (Ourlads)

Ryan Graham (RS Jr.) 5'-11" 201 Arkansas State ....Talented JUCO All Purpose Back....rushed for 112 yards on 13 carries vs UNLV; Season ending injury early Game #4. Hope he's ready to go in September!

Garrett Groshek (Sr.) 5'-11" 220 Wisconsin ...Projected Starter ? Powerful back played behind Jonathan Taylor; enters Senior season 916 career rushing yards & 5 TD's ; 57 career receptions & TD.

Cole Gest (Jr.) 5'-9" 195 Akron (Grad transfer from Indiana) limited snaps Jr. season ; Soph season injured ; best season as Freshman ...Hope he can make impact!

Have list of 20+ RB's....posted 11 for now; not sure how many pics can fit on 1 page?

Plenty of quality posters here have virtually same list ...please feel free to add to this RB thread

 

[Red Raider]

Josh Davis (JR) 5’9” 195lbs Weber State
The best RB in the FCS, all-American in both of his seasons and was Big Sky freshman of the year in 2018. He was also Gatorade player of the year for Utah in 2016. He should be in the NFL in a couple years if he keeps up the production. His career stats in 2 seasons are 2498 rush yards, 326 receiving yards, 241 punt return yards, and 201 kick return yards, (3266 all-purpose yards) and 22 total TD’s.


Harry Trotter (SR) 5’10” 205lbs Kansas State
Trotter earned 3 starts last year as a junior while playing behind 2 veteran RB’s. He looks to be the starter in 2020 if everything goes as planned. He started out at JUCO then walked on to Louisville before transferring to K-State where he has carved out a role for himself. He was able to have a 66-263-3 stat line in 2019 in limited action. Look for him to have 700+ yards this season if he is healthy all season.


Jake Funk (SR) 5’10” 205lbs Maryland
Very comparable to Harry Trotter, exact same size and both look to have an increased role with the top 2 RB’s from 2019 gone. Funk started off 2019 with a 17-183-2 stat line after four games before tearing his ACL. He should make a full recovery and have his best season in 2020. Career stats include 75-452-7 rushing, 13-66-2 receiving, and 237 kick return yards.


Sean McGrew (SR) 5’7” 185lbs Washington
Undersized back with tremendous speed, McGrew has yet to be given the opportunity the show his abilities which made him a top ranked back coming out of high school. The former California Gatorade player of the year has amassed 627 rushing yards (4 TD), 148 receiving yards, and 536 kick return yards in his first three seasons. Along with Trotter and Funk, this is McGrews last chance to make an impact in college football.

 

[Red Raider]

Jake Chisholm (JR) 5’9” 185lbs Dayton
Chisholm is very similar to Josh Davis in terms of production, size, and versatility. Chisholm had a fantastic 2019 season a first year starter with 153-1129-8 rushing, 21-230-3 receiving, and 29-684-1 on kick returns. Yes he averaged an incredible 7.4 yards/rush in 2019 and he managed to rack up those big stats in only 10 games (compared to Davis who played in 15 games). He led the FCS in all-purpose yards per game and was third overall in all-purpose yards. Look for Chisholm to have another big year for Dayton in 2020.

 

[Leonardfan]

@TwentyTwo and @Red raider - good stuff! I still am amazed to see our guys make it through the caste system and become impact players at the FBS/FCS levels. Looking forward to seeing who else you guys discover. It looks like there will be college football this year so I will need to get the annual write up thread started in the next few weeks.

Borghi is probably a top 3 RB in college football - the big question with him will be how the new head cuck Rolovich decides to use him since his offense at Hawaii was pass heavy. Hopefully the offense is built around Borghi - he has a strong junior season and then declares for the draft. I actually enjoy watching him play more than I did McCaffery at Stanford - I think McCaffery is a great player but their is something about Borghi I really like. Let's wish him success and a healthy 2020 season.

 

[Bucky]

Nice thread! Some hope for 2020.

 

[dolphins15]

A couple of guys who are on scholarships but haven't broken through.

Jason Williamson- (R.FR) 6'2" 210lbs Minnesota
Tore his ACL last spring and then red shirted his Freshman year. Minnesota lost their top back but return a few who Williamson will have to beat out if he wants some carries.

Coleton Beck- (R.SO) 6'1" 205 Virginia Tech
Has not seen much football action in his time in college. But ran a 10.22 100M in 2019 at the ACC championships. You would think someone with that kind of speed they would find ways to get him the ball (kick returns, reverses etc)

Luke Skokna- (SO) 5'9" 175lbs North Dakota
He had 25 carries for 190 yards. He had 11 carries for 114 yards and 2 TD's vs Southern Utah. Hopefully he steps into a bigger role.

 

[dolphins15]

One to keep an eye on.

Cooper Lutz (R.SO) 6'0" 198 Syracuse
He signed with Syracuse coming out of high school, so at least he's on scholarship. Rushed for over 3,000 yards and 55TD's in his high school career but his first two years at Syracuse they have tried him at LB. But this spring they were switching him to RB. I'm sure spring ball got cut short so not sure how much if at all he was able to show what he can do. Maybe he can break through.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Not sure what happened to TJ McDaniel picture in the post ...?

Thanks for the feedback RedRaider...looking forward seeing Harry Trotter be a Starter! Sean McGrew is capable of 100+ yard games! Jake Funk is a game breaker when healthy & given the chance!
Nice find on Cooper Lutz Dolphins15 ...been hoping speedy Coleton Beck would get an opportunity at least as a Kick Returner...Hope Jason Williamson is healthy...he has potential to make an impact!
Thanks Leonardfan & Bucky

Brandon Rainey (Jr.) 6-0 205 The Citadel ...DRAFT SCOUT List him as a Running Back Class of 21' making him a Senior? Plays QB in Triple Option; Last season rushed for 897 yards & 17 TD's! + 1,114 yards & 13 TD's

Billy McCrary (Sr) 5'-11" 200 Abilene Christian ....Speedy All-Purpose Back was Pre-Season All Southland Conf; but injured shoulder early last season...in 18' had 724 yards rushing & 8 TD's including long 75 yard TD Run vs Baylor! Hopefully he's injury free & ready to go! Transferred from Cal

Matt Gadek (Soph) 6'-0 188 Northern Colorado ... Missed 19' due to injury ...Set Texas HS Single Game Record 599 yards Rushing! Hoping Head Coach Ed McCaffrey will give him expanded role
High School pic

Josh Foley (RS Soph) 5'-10" 201 New Mexico (New Mexico State transfer) Is he Eligible this Season? or does he Sit out a year? Rushed for a team-high 51 yards on 7 carries ( long of 22) vs. # 1 Alabama in the ONLY game the ran the ball last year...Strange! Hope he can break through for the Lobos

Josh Petruccelli (Sr.) 5'-9" 210 Mount Union.... (D 3 Powerhouse School )Entering Sr. Season has rushed for 3, 929 yards & 44 TD's! Nate Kmic was the last RB to Rush for 1,000 yards + first Three seasons

 

[Rocky B]

Getting a bit psyched up for the season......
I’ll scan my list to see if we’ve missed anyone.....
It should be a good year...,
Seeing where Samson Evans transfers to is a priority...
The b-back from Coastal Carolina was my sleeper for the year...
Of coarse, his stat line may end up 14-33 for the season, but I’m rooting....
Lots to root for.....

 

[dolphins15]

Tyler Lavine (SO) 5'11' 220 SMU
Committed to Army and went to the prep school for a year then to SMU. Had 9 carries for 38 yards and 1 TD last season. Had 10 tackles on special teams. Maybe him and McDaniel could form a 1-2 punch in the coming years.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Yes indeed Rocky!
Thanks for the addition post!

Dawson Downing (Sr.) 6'-0 220 Missouri ....No D1 Offers; former Walk-on produces when given limited opportunity; Last season Rushed for 227 yards on just 40 carries (5.7 avg); including a 54 yard TD vs. Ole Miss!...currently 3rd String on Depth Chart? NO DROP OFF when he's in the game! Maybe the Patrick Laird effect?? Don't wish injury on anybody; but that's how Peyton Hillis was able to become the 1st 1,000 yard RB back in 2010; since Craig James in 1985

https://twitter.com/i/status/1183233766963044353

Here's Rocky's Sleeper for 2020
Baden Pinson (Jr) 5'-10" 210 Coastal Carolina

 

[Rocky B]

Great list.....
I combed through my list of 2020 backs
Here’s my production prediction....
Hopefully at years end these guys all have good seasons and some others surface.

Borghi
Remsberg
McDaniel
Epstein
Trotter
Horvath
Groshek
McChesney
Gest
Will Jones Ball St

Honorable mention Zane Dudek, FCS, just because the kid rakes.
Baden Pinson, also...Someone has to be the Laird of the year......

 

[Rocky B]

I’ll mention a few more guys on my list....

Bruce Garrett BYU....McChesney is third on the depth chart after showing off last year...
So not sure where Bruce will get carries....Redshirt maybe, mission???

Nolan Erickson....a forgotten piece of the Air Force puzzle...
He should get a few more reps this year.....

Keegan Duncan....It was noted on here that he transferred from Boise to Utah St...
Many of us assume Boise wanted him at LB, so he made the switch....
Not sure, but he may being sticking at LB. I hope not, but probably better for a career path.....

Samson Evans.....Left Iowa, still has yet to sign on with someone else....
I’m hoping MAC, like some others on here....Position???

Zach Kahn....Miami, OH.....depth

Tucker Gregg....Ga Tech...second string?

Brody Belt....,Nebraska walk on....White privilege, my ass......Depth

Dominic DiStefano...Navy...backup FB

Isaac Ruoss....Navy.....backup FB

Slade Bolden I have on my list like Samson Evans.....
You just don’t know, being with Alabama he will more than likely stick at slot....

Brendan Suckley....Rice....Fullback with some potential carries?

Connor Morton...Oregon St......New Nall?....Don’t hold your breath, but it would be nice.

JR Plumlee.....Ole Miss QB you all know...I have on here because he runs his ass off.....
People talk about switching him to RB.....Who knows?

Slade Carroll...South Carolina....PWO, of course.....Lots of other guys like this..
He can be my PWO sleeper......

While looking up Mike Epstein, I remember one of you mentioning Nick Fedanzo...
Scholarship back hidden on the depth chart along with Connor Lillig and Matt Bobek.
(Illinois)......

Montana St has Troy Anderson.....There are other small school guys, but Andersen is just an old school ball player....QB, RB, LB.....Worth noting on this thread......

Let’s all kick ass in 2020

 

[ximasa]

https://nbcmontana.com/sports/local-sports/anderson-to-redshirt-in-2020-for-msu-due-to-injury

Troy will skip this season due to injury, he'll have his chances.

 

[Leonardfan]

Check out what some jock sniffer said about Borghi. Not sure what any of that means since Borghi has speed to burn, is elusive and an explosive playmaker - oh wait - He's white so let's just throw some lazy stereotypes to tear him down:

Pro Football Network's Nick Farabaugh writes that Washington State junior RB Max Borghi has "sloppy footwork and lacks lateral agility."
"That is something that bites [Borghi] when he tries to press the line and manipulate defenders at the second level. His movements all seem somewhat labored... Frequently, he is not overly elusive and fails to be creative," Farabaugh writes of the 5-foot-10, 195-pound junior. The analyst's biggest concern comes in what he perceives as Borghi's lack of between-the-tackles upside as a rusher, something which Farabaugh notes could box him out of anything beyond a rotational role at the next level. Now that we've got the Debbie Downer segment of his breakdown out of the way, a few plusses in Borghi's game. He has velvet hands, with just four drops across two seasons, and has consistently shown the ability to make gains after contact when he catches the ball -- per PFF, Borghi has broken 47 tackles on catches across the 2018 and 2019 campaigns. If everything breaks right for Borghi during the evaluating process -- assuming a declaration -- he has Day 2 upside for the spring

 

[dolphins15]

I was unaware that Cole Dubots of Washington State had switched back to RB last season. I found this article last spring (2019) about him. What I find comical in the article is Leach and the RB coach said Dubots was a "pleasant surprise". They were surprised that the kid who played RB in high school, rushed for over 2,000 yards in California, ran a 10.45 in high school would be better at his more appropriate position with his size than at LB? Obviously Borghi is the starter and the back ups return but maybe Dubots can get some carries and if Borghi leaves will step into the starting role.

https://247sports.com/college/washi...ning-backs-Cougars-Cougs-Wazzu-WSU-132196216/

Matt Geiger (JR) 5'10" 184 Old Dominion
He has a career stat line of 51/257/3. Started 1 game last season.

 

[Rocky B]

Jax Welch is listed as the number two running back for Tx Tech....

 

[Red Raider]

Jax Welch is listed as the number two running back for Tx Tech....

I wish that was the case but unfortunately it will not work out that way. The starting RB is returning but TTU also just got an Alabama RB transfer and true freshman coming in that they’ll likely put ahead of him also. He was impressive in the very small chances he got last year but he’ll probably just be a core special teams player again. I really he gets more chances this season though.

 

[dolphins15]

Ethan Greenfield (JR) 5'9" 195 North Central
Greenfield rushed for 2,169 yards and 21 TD's for the D3 National Champs. Rushed for over 700 yards as a true freshman.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Cole Chancey (Sr.) 5'- 10" 195 Harding
Rushed for 3, 683 yards & 42 TD's in his career. 14 games rushing for 100+ yards. 1st Team Street in Smith D 2 ; Harlan Hill Award Finalist

 

[dolphins15]

Dylan Laube (R.SO) 5'10" 201 New Hampshire
Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America Second Team (all-purpose)... HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America Honorable Mention... played in 10 of 11 games with two starts...school-record eight kickoff returns for 175 yards at James Madison...had 63 carries for 285 yards and 1 TD...28 receptions for 412 yards and 4 TD's and 675 kick return yards. Had an 86 yard TD reception against FIU.

 

[Red Raider]

Brett Brenton (SO) 5’10” 199lbs Wyoming
Played well in limited action as a redshirt freshman last year. Finished with 172 rushing yards on 29 carries. He had a career high 81 yards against UNLV.

 

[Rocky B]

Mike Epstein interview....

 

[Rocky B]

Lincoln Pare.....
Freshman. Arkansas St...
I was researching Ryan Graham and found Pare...
Mr Tennessee football in 6A division 2019
2800 yards rushing, 8 ypc.....No interest from the Vols?

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

the word out of Purdue is that Zander Horvath only got the start because of a hamstring injury to some running black *tm* named, no lie, King something or other. one wonders if Horvath’s strong showing (over 100 yards rushing at better than 6 yards per carry) will impact the decision moving forward. clearly as seen in the clip below, Horvath isn’t “explosive” or “dynamic” enough or something ...

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/30183680