After Kamari Pleasant and Sean McGrew both graduated following the 2021 season, and with Kalen DeBoer bringing a modern offense in, it requires running backs to be able to catch the ball and run routes out of the backfield. The running backs room is crowded with talent, but there are a lot of questions surrounding who will actually shoulder the load in 2022.
A quick look at Fresno State’s offense in 2021 shows that DeBoer split time almost right down the middle between his two senior running backs, Jordan Mims and Ronnie Rivers. Mims finished the year with 127 rushes for 710 yards, and six touchdowns, to go with 25 catches for 324 yards and four more scores. Rivers tallied 161 carries for 788 yards and five touchdowns, along with 34 catches for 364 yards and two touchdowns.
Because of the scheme from 1897 that John Donovan ran, we’re going to throw out all rushing statistics from 2021. Richard Newton, who has nine career catches, and Cameron Davis (19 catches), should probably be the top two backs going into spring practice. Newton is an old school downhill back, and could end up being utilized in a lot of different ways. Davis has the athleticism and talent to be a true three-down back, and should probably be considered the starter going into spring camp, especially considering Newton is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last fall.
With Newton out, there’s going to be a lot of playing time up for grabs to split up between the combination of Jay’Veon Sunday, Caleb Berry, Sam Adams II, and Emeka Megwa. The four backs have a combined eight rushing attempts of experience between them (all by Sunday), and someone is going to have to step up. The best bet (in this writer’s humble opinion) is Megwa.
Megwa has “the body of a Greek god” according to people inside the program (and simply Google searching him), and after having most of the 2021 season to practice with the team, he should be primed to take a big step forward this spring. Davis and Megwa are cut from the same cloth stylistically, and the two could be a dynamic duo, especially if DeBoer puts them on the field at the same time.
Keep an eye on Adams this spring too. Coming out of high school, he showed an ability to run routes at a high level, and is arguably the most versatile back in the room. If he’s healthy, and strength coach Ron McKeefery has helped him add more weight and muscle, he could certainly push everyone in the room for playing time.
