“All of my guys are alphas,” said Washington running backs coach Lee Marks. “We’ll ask them to do everything. There’s not one thing we won’t ask the running back to do.”
With that expectation, it’s easier to understand exactly what the Huskies are looking for in a running back: everything.
One important element to UW’s success last season was pass protection and that’s where Marks said that new RB Dillon Johnson is “different” in that regard.
”When he gets his hands on you you can definitely feel it,” Marks said of Johnson’s physicality.The Washington Huskies were terrific on the offensive side of the ball in 2022 scoring just shy of forty points a game. While the passing game garnered, and rightfully so, the headlines, it was the Huskies efficiency on the ground-game efficiency that helped them finish off drives. In fact, the Huskies had more rushing touchdowns than passing touchdowns.
One could use most any superlative phrases to correctly talk about the transformation of the offense in year one of Kalen DeBoer. Perhaps the best superlative is actually numbers as the Huskies went from a 4-8 team to an 11-win team.
In listening to the returning offensive players as well as the newcomers the expectation and optimism of the 2023 offense is higher than a year ago.
One position group many have pointed at as an area of improvement was the running backs. What made Taulpapa became a reliable starter that was that he didn’t make many mistakes.
In the last few games of the season Taulapapa dominated the line of scrimmage and started breaking tackles, he had an argument to be named the Alamo Bowl MVP.
However, early in the year he struggle with drops and going down at first contact. However, how Taulapapa was utilized early on gives a window of how offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will use Dillon Johnson.
This season there are plenty of new faces and improvements from returning players should make the running back room dangerous. Here is a projected rotation with what each player brings to the table.
Dillon Johnson, Junior, 6-0, 218 pounds: The Mississippi State transfer came to Washington regarded as one of the best receiving backs in the nation. He brings some SEC violence that will help with yards after catch. He is not just a receiver and will gain extra yards after contact.
Will Nixon, Sophomore, 5-11, 202 pounds: Nixon saw snaps early last year, but injuries derailed his availability throughout the season. Nixon looks like a different player this year. He was brought in through the transfer portal as a player who would be effective in the passing game, lining up in the slot. With the added weight and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield he could demand a regular carries throughout a game.
Richard Newton, Senior, 6-0, 223 pounds: Newton is a wrecking ball. He runs with such physicality that works between the tackles. He has improved as a receiver which makes him more versatile. He is good in pass protection, as well. Finally fully healthy, Newton should be effective in all facets but especially 3rd and short situations.
Sam Adams, Sophomore, 6-2, 207 pounds: We have not yet seen Adams get through a season unscathed. He is an athletic runner that can get outside the tackles and is very good as a receiver. While there are players ahead of him, he could get some of the same plays that were designed to get Giles Jackson in space on fly sweeps or quick throws around the line of scrimmage.
Daniyel Ngata, Junior, 5-9, 192 pounds: A transfer from Arizona State, Ngata has the look of a feature back, albeit a tad undersized. Along with his ability in the pass game he is effective between the tackles. This year he may be a depth player, but when guys ahead of him get dinged up he will be ready. He has called the Washington playbook “very sophisticated” and once he fully grasps the complexities he will be a weapon.
He will also contribute in the kickoff return game opposite Germie Bernard.
Huskies have transitioned successfully from a run heavy scheme to utilizing running backs in a multitude of ways.
