Preseason Position Analysis: Running Back

Spring ball has formally concluded. Now it’s time to have a look towards the autumn and the place issues stand in regard to the operating backs.

The 5 scholarship operating backs are included on this place evaluation in addition to their highlights from the spring recreation.

This text is a free movie breakdown of the operating again room, subsequent articles on different place teams shall be Premium, however don’t fret, you can easily access those here for less than $10 a month!

Marshawn Lloyd lastly seems just like the 5 star operating again he was purported to be popping out of highschool. It was obvious Lloyd was not 100% in 2021 when he flaunted a number of flashes however couldn’t fairly separate himself from the opposite operating backs.

2022 will present Lloyd the chance to showcase how proficient he actually is. Within the spring recreation, he was explosive, decisive, and displayed a number of strikes not many operating backs are bodily in a position to efficiently carry out. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield and operating backs coach Montario Hardesty would like one of many backs to separate themselves and obtain many of the carries. Lloyd is in prime place to be “the man” for 2022.

(Above) Lloyd spun out of S RJ Roderick’s sort out try earlier than planting and reducing beneath the subsequent defensive again that got here down to assist. DE Jordan Strachan tried to make the sort out close to the road of scrimmage, however Lloyd ran by way of it. Lloyd then lowered his shoulder and coated up the soccer as he was lastly introduced down.

Blocking Breakdown: LG Trai Jones and C Hank Manos managed the inside of the road, whereas Jones drove his man a number of yards again. LT Jakai Moore stayed engaged on DE Tyreek Johnson and prevented him from making a play. TE Chad Terrell did his greatest to dam Jordan Strachan on the bottom earlier than Strachan shed the block, however failed on the tried sort out.

(Above) Lloyd displayed his reducing potential once more as he caught the ball out of the backfield. Lloyd made the catch, planted, and lower beneath LB Darryle Ware. Lloyd didn’t get any additional progress after spinning out of the sort out, however he demonstrated his energy and stability to probably hold a play alive and switch it into one thing larger.

Blocking Breakdown: TE Chad Terrell (inside) and WR O’Mega Blake (outdoors) blocked on the perimeter and fully drove their males out of the play.

McDowell could also be quick on peak, however he’s not quick on expertise. McDowell has fast toes, can shift speeds effectively, and quickly attain his top-end pace. He might not have elite pace, however there aren’t too many defenders who will catch him within the open area.

McDowell can successfully be used as a conventional operating again, however his energy is making defenders miss in house. Getting him matched up in one-on-one conditions is one thing coach Satterfield might want to do a greater job of in 2022. McDowell is a playmaker and Carolina could be remiss to not get him a number of touches in each recreation.

(Above) McDowell flashed his fast toes and endurance to permit blocks to setup. Juju has the flexibility to vary speeds like few others and may get again as much as his high finish pace quickly.

Blocking Breakdown: LB Debo Williams learn run and instantly got here down into the hole, however LT Jaylen Nichols obtained his fingers on Williams, pressured him inside, and stored him pinned till McDowell handed. DE Gilber Edmund squeezed down on the play, however as soon as he tried to slip again out and set the sting, TE Traevon Kenion knocked Edmond extensive and out of place.

(Above) The RT appeared confused on this play, but it surely appeared prefer it was initially a designed cutback with the DT and DE given free launch, whereas the RG and RT have been to launch to the second stage of the protection. McDowell noticed the cutback wasn’t there and turned the nook upfield.

Blocking Breakdown: LT Jaylen Nichols obtained simply sufficient of DE Gilber Edmond to present McDowell the sting, whereas LG Vershon Lee and DT Nick Barrett stalemated. C Eric Douglas initially blocked down with the LG and LT, earlier than turning as much as attain LB Debo Williams.

Beal-Smith brings a wealth of expertise and success to Carolina’s backfield. He might not be the flashiest again, however he possesses a robust burst and is aware of the way to acquire optimistic yardage.

As a sixth 12 months senior, Beal-Smith shall be anticipated to profit from his alternative after transferring in from Wake Forest. If the spring is any indication, Beal-Smith shall be a helpful asset for Carolina in 2022.

(Above) Christian Beal-Smith displayed a capability to aptly observe his blockers and an explosive bust to get north. Beal-Smith exhibited his first burst after taking the hand off, not permitting DB Cam Smith to make a play on the blitz, after which flashed one other burst after planting and reducing upfield.

Blocking Breakdown: LT Jaylen Nichols displayed some fast toes whereas dropping and squaring as much as forestall a large rush by DE Gilber Edmund. C Eric Douglas obtained simply sufficient of former DT Keem Inexperienced. RG Jovaughn Gwyn blasted off on DT Nick Barrett and managed to knock Barrett off stability. RT Tyshawn Wannamaker launched to the LB. TE Wyatt Campbell was in a position to drive DE Jordan Burch again a number of steps, earlier than Burch shed the block and made the sort out. LG Vershon Lee pulled into the hole and drove S Peyton Williams again for a number of yards.

(Above) This can be the simplest 10+ yard run Beal-Smith has ever had. He allowed his blocks to be set after which adjusted to north/south operating.

Blocking Breakdown: LT Jaylen Nichols and LG Vershon Lee double teamed the DT. RG Jovaughn Gwyn pulled and blasted DE Gilber Edmund out of the hole. TE Traevon Kenion pulled and had a collision with LB Debo Williams which helped free the sting.

Amos hasn’t seen a lot enjoying time in his collegiate profession, however he demonstrated his worth within the spring recreation. There was some chatter about enjoying Amos in an H-back position to get him on the sector, because it’s unlikely he’ll obtain many carries in 2022 as a result of high quality of depth forward of him.

Amos is an influence again with some dimension and pace. His greatest trait is getting north/south and taking no matter yardage is out there to him. Amos doesn’t waste steps and can unlikely lose yardage except he’s being tackled by a number of defenders within the again area.

(Above) Rashad Amos bounced the run outdoors regardless of it initially being meant to go inside. Amos displayed wonderful imaginative and prescient and agility as he seen DT Tonka Hemingway beat the block of an offensive lineman on the appropriate facet of the road. Amos bounced the run, planted, and lower north to achieve extra optimistic yardage. On the finish of the run, Amos exhibited his energy by powering by way of a number of defenders for a pair extra yards.

Blocking Breakdown: LT Jakai Moore drove DE Tyreek Johnson off the ball. LG Trai Jones stalemated with DT MJ Webb. C Hank Manos launched to the second stage and set a strong block on LB Bam Martin-Scott. TE Chad Terrell was getting pushed into the backfield by LB Darryle Ware, however the block nonetheless served it’s function. The play in all probability might have gone for a number of extra yards had WR O’Mega Blake been in a position to set a block on somebody.

(Above) Watch the toes of Amos and it seems like he’s engaged on a operating again drill on this play. Amos did a pleasant job of following his blockers by way of the opening and getting north, taking the yardage that was obtainable.

Blocking Breakdown: DT Tonka Hemingway did a strong job of holding his floor towards the double workforce blocks of the RT and RG. LG Trai Jones pulled and blasted DE Jordan Strachan out of the hole. TE Chad Terrell pulled, squared up, and set an satisfactory block on LB Bam Martin-Scott.

Pace is the secret for Carroll and he has it in spades. Carroll might not see a lot motion in 2022, as he’s readjusting to the operating again place after working at defensive again for the Georgia Bulldogs final 12 months.

Carroll transferred in from Georgia for the chance to play operating again. He has the chance, however can also be slotted behind loads of expertise. It’ll be troublesome for Carroll to crack the rotation this 12 months except a rash of accidents hit these forward of him on the depth chart.

Lovasea Carroll gave a glimpse of his pace. He didn’t attain high gear, however nearly broke the run open for an explosive play earlier than S Peyton Williams made the sort out.

Blocking Breakdown: TE Wyatt Campbell and TE Traevon Kenion have been lined up on the identical facet of the ball and linked to the RT. Campbell blew DE Scorching Rod Fitten off the ball, whereas Kenion went to LB Donovan Westmoreland. RT Tyshawn Wannamaker drove DT Nick Barrett again a number of yards. LG Vershon Lee pulled and obtained a bit of CB La’Dareyen Craig.

The depth chart hasn’t formally been set, but it surely appears Lloyd is the highest operating again with Beal-Smith as the highest back-up. It’s onerous to depend out McDowell, however he’ll more than likely be utilized in situational settings.

This secure of operating backs ought to have the next manufacturing fee than final 12 months’s group. There’s loads of expertise and if the passing recreation will get going, the operating recreation ought to profit as a result of much less defenders within the field, rising the probabilities of extra explosive performs.