Position Preview: Running Backs

The Minnesota Gophers rushed for an average of 178.1 yards per game a season ago, good for 47th in the nation on a per game basis. Rodney Smith earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors capping off an incredible Gophers career. Now, the Gophers must replace Smith and Shannon Brooks for this season with a relatively young running back room. Minnesota typically likes to do a three-person running back by committee, or a “pair and a spare” as Coach PJ Fleck calls it. The backup running back spot(s) behind Mo Ibrahim are completely wide open for the first time in a few years. Here are a few players that will be in the running:

Rodney Smith

The GA native has finally left the Minneapolis campus after six years in a Gophers uniform. He leaves with these records:

School leader in All-Purpose Yards: 5,441

Second in school history in Rushing Yards: 4,122

Third in school history for carries: 879

Third in school history for 100-yard rushing games: 16

Six in school history for touchdowns: 29

Gopher fans should be thankful for Rodney Smith as he’ll go down as one of the better running backs in program history and especially in recent memory. Smith was a heck of a collegiate player and will be sorely missed in the Maroon & Gold.

Shannon Brooks

The redshirt senior had an up and down career for the Gophers due to an unfortunate injury bug that he couldn’t shake. While injuries piled up throughout his career, Brooks still finished 12th in school history for rushing yards with 2,290 and 20 rushing touchdowns. He gave us some phenomenal performances including rushing 17 times for 176 as a true freshman against Purdue as well as 174 and three touchdowns against Illinois. I, for one, will miss his physical running style and refusing to go down easy.

Mo Ibrahim

The redshirt junior enters 2020 as the unquestioned #1 running back in Minneapolis and has already put together quite a resume for himself in his three years on campus. His tough, low center of gravity running style has already placed him 24th on Minnesota’s all-time rushing yards list with 1,764 despite only playing 21 games. As a redshirt freshman he was placed into action due to injury and rushed 202 times for 1,160 yards, the second most ever for a Gopher freshman behind Darrell Thompson. With the return of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, Mo took more of a backseat role rushing only 114 times for 604 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019. Now, as the solidified #1 back, Ibrahim will have an opportunity to compete for All-Big Ten honors this season behind an offensive line that has all five starters returning. Look for a big year from Mo Ibrahim.

Cam Wiley

The Desert Pines, NV native redshirted in 2019 as a true freshman where he had limited playing experience. Wiley finished the year playing in three games, rushing 11 times for 32 yards and returned four kicks for 76 yards. At 6-2, 205 Wiley certainly looks the part at running back with a Derrick Henry-type build. For a bigger back, I was impressed with his agility and acceleration coming out of high school. Now, it remains to be seen if he can build upon his physical abilities and turn himself into a Big Ten running back.

Hudl

Trey Potts

Now for a running back almost completely opposite in measurables, we look at Trey Potts. He measures up at 5-10 and 200 pounds. An elusive, quick back with exceptional change of direction and strength for his size, Potts could be used in a variety of roles for the Gophers. Potts also redshirted in 2019, ultimately rushing seven times for 51 yards and one touchdown. The versatility of Potts is an intriguing one. Minnesota lost a great passing-catching running back in Rodney Smith this past season and with Ibrahim not being known as a great receiver, I think Potts may find himself in some sort of a role this year whether it be a 3rd-down back or even being used on Jet sweeps. Keep an eye out for Potts.

Hudl

Bryce Williams

Williams was forced into duty two years ago as a true freshman due to injury in 2018. Bryce rushed 117 times for 502 yards and four touchdowns and also caught four passes for 64 yards. Highlights of that year included 141 yards rushing against Miami (OH) and two touchdowns in a win versus Wisconsin at Camp Randall. A physical runner with solid feet, I was high on Williams coming out of high school. After a freshman campaign where he played quite a bit, he redshirted in 2019 and now enters 2020 as a redshirt sophomore. I am curious to see if Williams can build upon his 2018 season and where he enters the fold in 2020.

Jason Williamson

The two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota is well known in the state after an illustrious high school career rushing for over 5,000 yards and 80+ touchdowns. Williamson tore his ACL last year and missed the 2019 season due to injury. I am hopeful Williamson can return fully healthy for this season as he is another player that possesses a lot of versatility and can be used in a multitude of areas whether it be rushing, pass catching, or even defense.

Hudl

Ky Thomas

The Gophers only recruited one running back in the 2019 class, but he is a good one. Ky Thomas earned a 5.7 high 3-star ranking from Rivals and was ranked the 28th running back overall in the class. Thomas finished his high school career with 7,703 rushing yards and 95 touchdowns. Rushed for over 3,000 yards as a high school senior. He was an absolutely man amongst boys at the high school level. I love the balance and elusiveness I saw from Ky on film and think he will have an opportunity to get in the rotation right away. Running back is one of the harder positions to play right away due to the physicality and weight needed in order to compete. However, if Thomas enters this year physically ready then I see no reason why he can’t compete for a role in the rotation.

Hudl

Prediction

The second and third running back spot in the rotation are completely up for grabs and it will be interesting to see who can take the reins. Here is my June 2020, no spring ball prediction:

#1: Mo Ibrahim (no question)

#2: Cam Wiley

#3: Trey Potts

I chose Wiley and Potts for the #2 and #3 spot for a few reasons, Wiley has a Big Ten body and frame. When there was injury issues against Georgia Southern it was Wiley who entered the game rushing 11 times (albeit for only 32 yards). I think the Gophers want to get him in the mix this year. Potts I will choose due to the versatility above. He is a bit more of home run hitter than say Wiley, and he will have a role in the offense next season in my opinion. Williams was relished to more of a bench role in 2019 which makes me wonder where the coaching staff views Williams going forward. This is all fluid! Maybe Ky Thomas lights it up during camp and takes a spot. With him, it is tough to play as a true freshman due to the physicality so that’s why I didn’t choose him. But he very well could be in the mix. Maybe Bryce Williams works extremely hard and puts himself back in a position to play. That’s what makes this all fun!