Running back room 2025

[David321]

How are we feeling about our RB situation? Today has been like Christmas morning for our offensive line, which naturally got me to thinking about our running backs.

Yasin Willis is the star, Montanez leaving after the Spring Game was a disappointment. Nixon is coming back from surgery. How do we feel about Hart and others?

 

[orangeinohio]

Outside of Nixon, it’s a lot of youngsters.
From the outside, it looks lean after Yasin and Nixon.
Hoping Jaden Hart develops into a solid option at RB.

 

[Scotch]

How are we feeling about our RB situation? Today has been like Christmas morning for our offensive line, which naturally got me to thinking about our running backs.

Yasin Willis is the star, Montanez leaving after the Spring Game was a disappointment. Nixon is coming back from surgery. How do we feel about Hart and others?

I love what I saw from Yasin last year.

 

[Dcuse]

Don’t forget about these guys.

 

[David321]

Am I wrong or does it look a bit like a question mark? I wouldn't mind a proven transfer.

 

[orange_in_VA]

We also have the two Malachi's and Tylik Hill on scholarship

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think we're all set.

 

[upperdeck]

same old song. If the oline does its job the RBs have to just hold onto the ball.

 

[Yeti]

I feel great with Nixon and Willis tbh.

 

[shu 49]

How are we feeling about our RB situation? Today has been like Christmas morning for our offensive line, which naturally got me to thinking about our running backs.

Yasin Willis is the star, Montanez leaving after the Spring Game was a disappointment. Nixon is coming back from surgery. How do we feel about Hart and others?

I feel great. Nixon scat back quick and elusive saving injury and Willisi love. Easily 1000 yd back in my eyes.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Think Willis is going to be a good one. He’s more elusive than Lequint. Good speed. Has the desire and drive you want in a back.

I think we have a ton of youngsters that can provide speed and change of pace too. And will is a solid third down back and option out of the background. It’s definitely a young group but think they’re confident with the numbers. It’s hard to add a good option in the portal given the 1-2 is so solidified. You have to go with youth after that.

 

[RF2044]

As others have stated, feeling confident, but there are definitely some question marks.

Willis has the capabilities to be a weed back, and I actually think he catches the ball well despite looking like a power back. He got a large dose of playing time last year, so he's relatively experienced. Big shoes to fill however.

Nixon looked great in limited duty, prior to his injury. He ran more effectively than I expected, and looked to be as good of a receiver out of the backfield as Allen was. If he can remain healthy, that's a nice one-two punch.

Hart got pressed in a duty late, but not enough to really gauge what he can do. He had an impressive list of offers coming out of high school, so the potential is there.

Hopefully, the youngsters will be forced into action, because the three listed above stay healthy and are up to the task.

 

[OrangeinNH]

If Nixon is a full go in fall camp, I’m comfortable with where we’re at. Need 3 backs ready to go at all times with two of them getting the majority of the work. I think we’re strong at 1&2, and it’s a good sign Jaden Hart didn’t portal, as he’s likely the #3 going into the season with some high upside speed behind him.

Having Jeff Nixon running this show makes all of these questions so much more palatable. If our offense performs well against this schedule, I think he’d be making his case for best SU Coordinator ever. Year 1 was special compared to where we’ve been on offense the previous 5 years.

 

[PAcuse]

I think Willis will get a more carries but Nixon will be utilized as well with him also getting some time on passing downs etc.

 

[kcsu]

From what i have seen we dont have anyone that compares to LA. Willis is a bull but is more of a one cut between the tackles back. MJames is the home run hitter and i think that Hardt is a complete back and he is my dark horse to get better as the season progresses. Nixon showed promise before he got injured. Hopefully he is a go in the fall. Bottom line based on what i have seen Willis Hardt James in that order.

 

[David321]

I really hope Yasin Willis takes off. When I first saw him last year in the Spring Game he reminded me of Brandon Jacobs.

 

[UnknownOrange]

it's just going to be a completely different look than 2024 brought, but that's not a bad thing either. LQA was an absolute workhorse last year and did everything asked of him and then some. I think in 2025 (assuming nixon is fully healthy) you'll see a lot more production spread around.

We have bruisers, pass catchers, and burners. This is a group I get excited about when thinking about how Nixon can utilize the talents of the room.

in 2018 and 2019 at Baylor, Nixon had 3 RBs get 400+ yards (2018) and 2 RBs get 600+ yards (2019). The 3 RBs in 18 and 19 were all shorter, bowling ball type RBs but 2 of the 3 were pass catching threats.

The 2019 team scored 33pts/game and their only two losses going into bowl season were Oklahoma by 3 and Oklahoma in the conference championship game by 7.

 

[kcsu]

Not sharing any secrets but this is a team that from what i have seen is going to throw the ball all over the field. Just like last year pass to open the run. The back that can protect the QB and have good hands for the check down is the back that is going to play the most. Willis is a bruiser but can he hold onto the ball. If James has a hole he is taking it to the house. His speed is impressive. Hardt is well rounded and looks to be getting better with each snap. I also think he understands his assignments. None of them look exceptional to me. All of them look good. Each brings something different to the table. I would say Willis is the best pure runner. Hardt the most well rounded

 

[VA Citrus]

Yasin looked unstoppable in the Spring game last year. During the season it seemed he was keyed on and run a little too high. Hopefully he comes back this year as the alpha and imposes his will on the defense. All those new OL guys should help.

 

[Cuse12]

The TD run I saw Willis make against UNLV told me a lot… he runs mean, with speed and power. He is going to be a fun back to watch. I feel solid about RB. Nixon is the veteran, Willis is the work horse, and I know Nixon likes hart.

 

[JRHEETER]

Think Willis is going to be a good one. He’s more elusive than Lequint. Good speed. Has the desire and drive you want in a back.

I think we have a ton of youngsters that can provide speed and change of pace too. And will is a solid third down back and option out of the background. It’s definitely a young group but think they’re confident with the numbers. It’s hard to add a good option in the portal given the 1-2 is so solidified. You have to go with youth after that.

Yup, when I last spoke with McCord I asked him who he felt would be the most impactful player on the team this coming year.

His response was Willis. Said that he was told coming in that Lequint would get most of the carries and that he wouldnt see a ton of playing time as freshman. Willis understood this role. McCord also said that he likely would have started at most schools as a freshman.

Excited to see what he can do with Nixon.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

I'm very happy with who SU will have in the backfield. It's a diverse group. I'm confident in their running and pass catching abilities. I was a fan of the way Allen blocked. I hope this year's group of backs attack blocking with the same ferocity.

 

[MSOrange]

Yup, when I last spoke with McCord I asked him who he felt would be the most impactful player on the team this coming year.

His response was Willis. Said that he was told coming in that Lequint would get most of the carries and that he wouldnt see a ton of playing time as freshman. Willis understood this role. McCord also said that he likely would have started at most schools as a freshman.

Excited to see what he can do with Nixon.

That's really good to hear as RB is a concern for me. I love Willis potential, but obviously he's never been the lead back before, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to that role and that's encouraging to hear what Kyle thinks.

 

[Dmcnabbrules]

I know he isnt the highest rated but I like Malachi Coleman. The fact that he is fast enough to run track at the ACC level is amazing. Looks like a more natural runner with the ball than James.

 

[Ernj]

I have mixed emotions about Willis. He hit the holes hard during the spring game. During the season, not so much. I saw a lot of hesitation behind the line with gains for little to no yards or negative yards. Granted the OL didn't create good holes. But a good running back will make adjustments. Hoping with another year he sees the field better, makes quicker decisions and creates his own holes.