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There is plenty to be excited about in the backfield post David Cobb era! 
Fall Preview: Running Backs
Kyle Goblirsch, 247 Sports
Running Backs
Starter: Rodrick Williams Jr. (HB), Miles Thomas (FB)
Backups: Berkley Edwards, Rodney Smith, Jeff Jones (ATH/Flex WR), Jacob Kirsch, Jonathan Femi-Cole, James Johannesson, Shannon Brooks, Tyler Hartmann (FB), Colton Beebe (FB)
Newcomer To Watch: Rodney Smith. As a guy that came in one year ago and spent 2014 as a redshirt, he’s not new to the roster, but will be new to the active depth chart this fall. Rodney has a major opportunity to impress through camp, press for carries and potentially take over as the lead back by end of the season.
Key Number: 9 total career starts among the returning halfbacks.
2014 Stats: Rodrick Williams Jr. (23 carries, 114 yards, 3 TDs; 1 reception, 6 yards), Berkley Edwards (30 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDS; 3 receptions, 24 yards), Miles Thomas (6 receptions, 41 yards)
Reason For Optimism: There is no shortage of talent from the running backs on roster. From top to bottom, the depth chart is more than capable of winning Big Ten games. Rodrick has the most experience, though his limited carries in previous seasons had nothing to do with talent and more to do with Cobb’s dominance. Rodrick has cut weight and showed a little extra juice in his legs during spring ball.
The Gophers also add a dynamic back in Redshirt Freshman Rodney Smith. Often one that gets overlooked by fans due to coming in the same class as Jeff Jones, though it’s Rodney that holds the potential to be the feature back by seasons end. He shows a lot of the same traits that made Cobb so successful, with great vision and lateral movement.
Speaking of Jeff, though he was covered some in the wideout breakdown, reason being that Jones will likely be a multi-faceted tool for Limegrover’s offense. He brings a new dimension with his sudden burst and ability to make guys miss in a phone booth.
Not to be overlooked is speed-back Berkley Edwards. The Sophomore back provide that lightning in a bottle option, change of pace for the offense. He has shown the ability to hit a home run when he has a crease.
Lastly, the Gophers bring in three freshman backs all with great size. James Johannesson impressed recently, showing off his speed, extremely close to Berkley’s catapult times.
From the fullback perspective, Thomas came into his own late last year and it should be business as usual here. The only potential change is a guy like Beebe offers another opportunity for the offense.
Reason For Concern: The Gophers offense will need to replace a lot of production from now Tennessee Titan, David Cobb. 1,629 yards and 13 TDs on the ground alone. Cobb was last year’s workhorse and in a lot of cases, the offense went as he went. The Gophers will need to replenish, likely with the committee route at least to start.
Big Question: Does one of the key backs takeover the workhorse duties that Cobb had? Or does Kill and Limegrover resume the style that got them to the BCS level with a committee carrying the rock?
What To Expect: We fully expect a committee approach, at least to start off the season. There will be games where one back has the hot hand and expect Kill and Limegrover to ride it as long as possible. Our Gopher247 team expects a guy like Rodney Smith just has too much talent that it screams workhorse potential.
While it is a group with limited experience, mainly due to Cobb’s rise, it isn’t a group at all lacking in talent. The Gophers have a number of options, which along with one of the Big Ten’s best Offensive Line units, should be able to carry them forward and continue the success fans have come to appreciate over the last two 8-win seasons.
http://minnesota.247sports.com/Bolt/Fall-Preview-Running-Backs-38430832
Fall Preview: Running Backs
Kyle Goblirsch, 247 Sports
Running Backs
Starter: Rodrick Williams Jr. (HB), Miles Thomas (FB)
Backups: Berkley Edwards, Rodney Smith, Jeff Jones (ATH/Flex WR), Jacob Kirsch, Jonathan Femi-Cole, James Johannesson, Shannon Brooks, Tyler Hartmann (FB), Colton Beebe (FB)
Newcomer To Watch: Rodney Smith. As a guy that came in one year ago and spent 2014 as a redshirt, he’s not new to the roster, but will be new to the active depth chart this fall. Rodney has a major opportunity to impress through camp, press for carries and potentially take over as the lead back by end of the season.
Key Number: 9 total career starts among the returning halfbacks.
2014 Stats: Rodrick Williams Jr. (23 carries, 114 yards, 3 TDs; 1 reception, 6 yards), Berkley Edwards (30 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDS; 3 receptions, 24 yards), Miles Thomas (6 receptions, 41 yards)
Reason For Optimism: There is no shortage of talent from the running backs on roster. From top to bottom, the depth chart is more than capable of winning Big Ten games. Rodrick has the most experience, though his limited carries in previous seasons had nothing to do with talent and more to do with Cobb’s dominance. Rodrick has cut weight and showed a little extra juice in his legs during spring ball.
The Gophers also add a dynamic back in Redshirt Freshman Rodney Smith. Often one that gets overlooked by fans due to coming in the same class as Jeff Jones, though it’s Rodney that holds the potential to be the feature back by seasons end. He shows a lot of the same traits that made Cobb so successful, with great vision and lateral movement.
Speaking of Jeff, though he was covered some in the wideout breakdown, reason being that Jones will likely be a multi-faceted tool for Limegrover’s offense. He brings a new dimension with his sudden burst and ability to make guys miss in a phone booth.
Not to be overlooked is speed-back Berkley Edwards. The Sophomore back provide that lightning in a bottle option, change of pace for the offense. He has shown the ability to hit a home run when he has a crease.
Lastly, the Gophers bring in three freshman backs all with great size. James Johannesson impressed recently, showing off his speed, extremely close to Berkley’s catapult times.
From the fullback perspective, Thomas came into his own late last year and it should be business as usual here. The only potential change is a guy like Beebe offers another opportunity for the offense.
Reason For Concern: The Gophers offense will need to replace a lot of production from now Tennessee Titan, David Cobb. 1,629 yards and 13 TDs on the ground alone. Cobb was last year’s workhorse and in a lot of cases, the offense went as he went. The Gophers will need to replenish, likely with the committee route at least to start.
Big Question: Does one of the key backs takeover the workhorse duties that Cobb had? Or does Kill and Limegrover resume the style that got them to the BCS level with a committee carrying the rock?
What To Expect: We fully expect a committee approach, at least to start off the season. There will be games where one back has the hot hand and expect Kill and Limegrover to ride it as long as possible. Our Gopher247 team expects a guy like Rodney Smith just has too much talent that it screams workhorse potential.
While it is a group with limited experience, mainly due to Cobb’s rise, it isn’t a group at all lacking in talent. The Gophers have a number of options, which along with one of the Big Ten’s best Offensive Line units, should be able to carry them forward and continue the success fans have come to appreciate over the last two 8-win seasons.
http://minnesota.247sports.com/Bolt/Fall-Preview-Running-Backs-38430832
