2024 Running Backs

[TwentyTwo]

Slimmer pickings for 2024 at Running Back.....

Much of the reason why 2023 was such a pivotal year for RB's. Seeing 4 Draft worthy prospects Will Shipley (Clemson) Cody Schrader(Mizzou) Carson Steele (UCLA/via Ball State) & FCS Dylan Laube (New Hampshire). Only 2 were Drafted (Shipley/ 3rd EAGLES ) & (Laube /6th RAIDERS)....
After the SEC's Leading Rusher Cody Schrader went UNDRAFTED ; i am more cautious projecting Skattebo or Larison in the 2025 NFL Draft


Cam Skattebo (Sr.) 5'-10" 212 Arizona State
Lost 14 pounds in the off-season due to illness (pneumonia) back in February ; felt good in Spring + a step quicker
Last season ran for 788 yards & 9 TDs + 24 receptions 286 yards w TD & even Passed for 130 yards & TD
Began career at FCS Sacramento State ; in '22 Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,373 yards
Would think he can be a 5th-6th Round selection in next year's NFL Draft

Arizona State's Cam Skattebo breaks a NASTY tackle en route to an ELECTRIC 52-yard rushing TD against USC | FOX Sports

The Arizona State Sun Devils' Cam Skattebo broke a NASTY tackle en route to an ELECTRIC 52-yard rushing TD to keep it close against the USC Trojans.

www.foxsports.com

Victor Rosa (Jr.) 5'-11" 207 U.Conn
Has the wheels to take it to the house! Has already had a 71 yard & 61 yard TDs in his early career
Last season Ran for 550 yards & 3 TDs
Freshman year Led the Huskies in rushing with 636 yards & 11 TDs + All-purpose yards with 987 total.
Former HS Player of the year in Connecticut

Dean Connors (Sr.) 6'-0 205 Rice
Former WALK ON Enjoyed a breakout season in '23, leading the Owls in Rushing (771 yards), TD's (7), and all-purpose yards (1,189); while also catching 43 passes for 403 yards & 3 TDs

Lan Larison (Sr.) 6'-0 199 UC-Davis
2023 STAT LINE: Even while missing time due to injury, managed 1,101 rushing yards, 13 TDs in 8 games
Productive career, Rushing for 2,169 yards and 24 TDs. + 65 career receptions and 779 receiving yards, plus his 1,000+ yards worth of kick returns should intrigue NFL scouts, too. Look for an impressive 2024 as one of the – if not the – top RBs at the FCS level and also look for a serious shot at the NFL afterward
Walter Payton Award Finalist
Needs to be playing at Boise State being From Idaho

Alex Tecza (Jr.) 6'-0 204 Navy
Last season Rushed for 758 yards & 5 TDs
75 yard TD Run vs. Memphis!
From Pittsburgh PA

Tate Carney (RS Soph.) 5'-10" 209 Wake Forest
Currently listed 2nd Team
Rushed for 117 yards on 13 carries vs Vanderbilt as a RS Freshman
Former 3 Star out of HS ; Older brother Cade was a Starter at WF

Sam Scott (Jr.) 6 -2" 228 Wyoming
Just needs opportunity! This Swiss Army Knife is a capable "Bell Cow Back" ;
Former Linebacker turned RB Spring of '23
This 20 yard TD run vs Texas Tech was impressive!

Will be sure to Add some more RB's...have the list at 23 (including the 4 FCS RBs)

 

[Bucky]

Well done as always @TwentyTwo ! Good SR crop with Skattebo, Connors, and Larison. Decent number of younger backs to keep an eye on. In particular I want to see Sam Scott get consistent carries.

 

[Don Wassall]

Great stuff, 22! I noticed you mentioned Alex Tecza is from Pittsburgh. He played for Mt. Lebanon, a major high school in the Pittsburgh vicinity. From an article: "[Tecza rushed] 258 times for 2,067 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also worked well as a receiver, catching 27 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns. His great play was a major factor in Mt. Lebanon achieving a perfect 15-0 record, with their first WPIAL and PIAA Class 6A Championships."

The article goes on to state that Alex "didn’t draw a ton of 'high level' Division I offers and no Power Five offers."

Systematically ignored by Pitt and Penn State, as all outstanding White high school running backs in this area have been for decades. I'd like to say I'm surprised. I'd truly be surprised if anyone notable in this area ever calls out Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia on their virulent discrimination against deserving Whites at every position other than quarterback, tight end and the o-line.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Thank you , 22. Could you or someone else closer to Michigan find out what's going on with Cole Cabana? When I looked him up on Michigan's depth chart, he's listed as the 5th RB. He was highly recruited out of HS, I thought.

 

[El Gringo]

Thanks for the write up TwentyTwo!

It looks like new Wyoming OC Jay Sawvel sees Sam Scott as a “Swiss army knife” rather than a Bell Cow which translates to, he needs to be able block for the brothers. If a white running back is over 220 pounds they try to convert him to a “versatile te/hb/fb” nearly every single time.

Pokes Insider: Sam Scott preparing to be Pokes' "Swiss Army Knife" - University of Wyoming Athletics

LARAMIE – The image is iconic.

gowyo.com

 

[Leonardfan]

With Bohl gone it will be interesting to see what the new head coach does. Scott played well last season until he was relegated back to the bench when the magical upsider returned from injury.

@TwentyTwo - great write up to get ready for the 2024 season.

 

[TwentyTwo]

THANKS for all of the replies appreciate them all! Well said on Sam Scott! He just needs the opportunity!

Carolina Speed ....I do see 3 Seniors listed ahead of Cole Cabana on the Depth Chart; next season will be a pivotal year. Will check into it more. How has resident expert on Michigan Phall been doing?

Yeah Don that was for you; knowing your from the area! Tecza also has ex HS team mate also playing RB at Navy; Eli Heidenreich went to Mt.Lebanon too....started 4 of the 12 games he played ; led Team in Receiving! I'm sure Pitt & Penn State would liked to have had them as WALK-ONs! As in so many cases across the country it's become all too common.
Frustrating!
Much like Danny Woodhead playing at D2 Chadron State; turning down preferred Walk-on @ Nebraska!
......Example in my local area down here in Louisiana...HS Sr. Clas of '24 RB Damon Blocker led his team to the 5A Quarterfinals rushing over 1,350 yards; 20 total TDs; could see him at a Navy ; Army or Air Force; he's better than a preferred Walk-On at a LSU.




Lincoln Pare (RS Jr.) 5-'9" 200 Texas State (via Arkansas State)
2023 (Junior) Medical redshirt ... Missed the entire season due a lower body injury suffered in the summer ... Athlon Sports Preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth Team
2022 (Sophomore) Team’s leading rusher with 772 rushing yards + 29 receptions for 209 yards … 6 total TDs
1,670 yards Rushing in his career
Was asked to WALK ON at Ole Miss he said "No thanks"

https://media.video-cdn.espn.com/motion/2022/1126/ss_20221126_191447079_2115479/ss_20221126_191447079_2115479_360p30_1464k.mp4

Anderson Castle (RS Jr.) 6"- 0 220 App. State
Last year ...Missed the first 8 games recovering from preseason surgery foot injury.
Came on strong at the end of last season ; including career-high 119 yards Rushing in the Bowl Game.
Currently listed 2nd team

Carson Hansen (Soph.) 6'-2" 210 Iowa State
Played in all 13 games as a true freshman ... had 22 carries for 67 yards and 11 receptions for 115 yards, an average of 10.5 yards per reception ... also returned five kickoffs for 17.2 yards per return ... carried five times for a season-high 25 yards against Cincinnati ... made three catches for 17 yards at Oklahoma ... also had three receptions for 20 yards against Texas.
Look for a solid bump UP in Year 2
Currently listed 2nd Team

Abu Sama and Carson Hansen form formidable 1-2 punch in Iowa State backfield

One broke a 38-year-old Iowa state record in the long jump. The other became Minnesota’s first two-time Gatorade player of the year award winner. Together, Iowa State sophomore tailbacks Abu Sama and Carson Hansen form a one-two punch in the backfield that should pose a problem for opposing...

www.thegazette.com

Dylan Carson (Soph.) 6'- 0 210 Air Force
Freshman season ran for 493 yards 2 TD's.....
TWO 100+ Yard games in consecutive weeks ...16-104 vs UNLV & 12 -132 -1 vs Boise State (including a 68 yard run)
Also look for team mate 2nd teamer Kade Few to get some carries

 

[white lightning]

This is always one of my favorite threads to read along with the wide receivers. Excellent work brother. Can't wait for the fall to get here!

 

[Rocky B]

Doing a little research on running backs.....,

Charlie Spegal is listed as a starter for Ball St
Casey Filkins is no where to be found.
(EJ Smith transferred, they entered Stanford at the same time)
Cade Yacamelli (Wisc) and Cash Jones (GA) are buried on the depth charts.
Landon Sims is listed as a starter for Hawaii
Aiden Laughery is another name mentioned last year (Illinois back up)
Ethan Payne for Marshall is another.
Along with Navy’s Alex Tecza, Eli Heidenreich will start at halfback and
Blake Horvath at QB...Eli is another Pittsburgh kid..
Kade Frew (Jax FL) is now listed second string at AF
Charlie Offerdahl at Colorado.....Deon supposedly likes him 3rd string

A few new names (maybe a couple guys break out this year)
Tyler Purdy- James Madison
Bennett Galloway-Louisiana Monroe
Cookie Desiderio-Mass

I’m still digging for a few more names.
Gavin Garcia was mentioned last year
MAC kid who looks like a white with an hispanic name.

 

[Rocky B]

Here are a few more names.
Some mentioned last year, some not.

Justin Lynch...Northern Illinois
Jake Arthurs...Northwestern
Justin Fisher...ND. Fullback?
Nolan McCormick...Ohio
Duncan Brune...Ohio......The kid from Germany
Bryce Duke....Old Dominion
Jake Reichle...Oregon St
Connor Walendzak...Toledo
Corbin Cottle...Utah St.......My sleeper for the year
Jack Griese...VA
Dylan Paine...Wash St

 

[TwentyTwo]

No RB thread is complete without resident RB expert Rocky B input! Thanks for the List!

Good question!! WHERE is Casey Filkins?? He was already a Senior already according to the 2023 roster...man his career went by fast!
Thought he had another year of eligibility? (Covid year?)

Thanks for refreshing the memory on a few! + will keep an eye on your "Sleepers" like Corbin Cottle
And Bennett Galloway snuck up on me too. Shame on me!

Have my list of RBs & WR's cluttered up on one page ; gonna need to separate the two ( that's a good thing)

Good to see Hawaii RB Landon Sims & Charlie Spegal listed on 1st team (Our Lads) ; BOTH are 2nd team in Athlon's
Hope some of these 2nd teamers like Bryce Duke can have a break out season
Ethan Payne had a 100+ yard rushing game at the end of the season!
Gavin Garcia started several games last season ; but then went to back up

Some others FCS RBs include ...
Hunter Rice ...VMI
Shane McLaughlin ...Harvard
Collin Guggenheim ...Nicholls


A possible Power 5 Conference "Sleeper" i have is currently on 2nd team
Dawson Pendergrass (Soph.) 6 '- 2 " 220 Baylor
As a Freshman ran 79 times for 338 yards + 26 catches nearly 200 yards receiving Team High 5 TDs!
Including 11 yards vs FCS Long Island U.

Landon Sims (Jr.) 6'-1" 210 Hawaii
Starting 5 games at RB. Led the team in rushing attempts (63) and yards (255). Also had 14 catches for 106 yards.
Dad...RB Travis Sims led Hawaii in the early 90's

 

[Rocky B]

Thanks 22......one thing we can all agree on, is that there are always a couple other kids that emerge not on the radar. Like Laird did a few years ago. Like Schrader did. We knew of Schrader, but the level of production exceeded all of our expectations. I need to research how many yards our top 5 running backs did last year and compare it to this year and the previous years....This year seems like a tick down, but hopefully not.

 

[Warhawk_46]

I think Larison, in particular, has a bright future. Much of that will rest on how Dylan Laube performs this season as the Raiders’ third-down back. Larison has some similarities to him and if Laube can out-perform expectations it bodes well for another standout FCS player.

There is really not nearly the difference in competition between the levels that media would like you to believe.

 

[Heralded_Defender]

Haven't seen it mentioned that Deion Sanders said Charlie Offerdahl would start for Colorado this year

 

[Carolina Speed]

Haven't seen it mentioned that Deion Sanders said Charlie Offerdahl would start for Colorado this year

Right HD. He's listed number 1 on the depth chart. Has anyone taken the Buffalos to do their preview?

 

[Logos5]

Haven't seen it mentioned that Deion Sanders said Charlie Offerdahl would start for Colorado this year

honestly I'm very suprised Sanders even allowed that to happen, you'd think with how much of a black supremicist this guy is, he wouldn't let the starting rb to be a white guy, but lets see how things go tommorow

 

[TwentyTwo]

Me too Warhawk...had just post NFL 2025 thread the other day!
Wondered what Idaho-native Larison could do at Boise State; but had (2025 NFL Draft) just posted like Laube ; he should be NFL bound regardless if he plays in the FCS.

THANKS!! HD!
Glad i checked out this thread; it's been in active for over a month (getting sidtracked w WR & DB threads) ...
have been looking forward seeing Colorado face North Dakota State (bummed DB Wisneiwski is OUT/Injured)

Nice jump for Offerdahl from 4th string!! A stunner for sure!
Hopefully he will see plenty carries thru out the game......

Charlie Offerdahl (RS Jr.) 5'-11" 185 Colorado
He had more carries as a RS Freshman 37 carries 150 yards ;most in school history by a WALK-ON!
( 55 rushing yards against Minnesota are 3rd most ever by a walk-on in a single game. ) + 2 rec 47 yards
Last season ...just 2 carries for 11 yards
Props for sticking it out and not entering the Transfer Portal!
Got a Scholarship last Spring

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1784306782640160865

Van Schield (RS Jr.) 6 '- 0" 215 Northern Colorado (Colorado State Transfer/ )
Ex WALK ON ':Spent his true freshman season at CSU-Pueblo where he redshirted
Last season 389 yards Rushing 3 TDs + 11 receptions for 79 yards