Team White may have fended off Team Maroon in a 33-19 win during Texas A&M‘s 2023 spring game, but let’s not get lost in the quarterback narrative without giving the running back group its flowers.
Junior running back Amari Daniels led the way with 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries, while sophomore LeVeon Moss (4 carries, 26 yards) and freshman five-star Reuben Owens (9 carries, 48 yards) made his exciting debut to the public. Even converted fullback Earnest Crownover scored one of two rushing touchdowns on the day on 8 carries for 28 yards, so all in all, it was a successful outing in the backfield.
The method in which head coach Jimbo Fisher will deploy this group is highly intriguing, noting that Daniels, Moss, and Owens all possess skill sets that warrant snaps next season. Past productivity is clearly lacking from a statistical standpoint, mainly due to the program’s dependence on Devon Achane during his three-year career.
While Reuben Owens has received a majority of the offseason praise due to his notable athleticism and ability in the passing game, it was his vision and ability to read blocks at an advanced level that currently puts him as the front running to challenge for the RB 1 spot.
Amari Daniels’s “all-purpose back” label was put on full display in the latter half of the 2022 season after Achane dealt with a slew of injuries, rushing for 189 yards in three straight games, ending the season with a 5.6-yard-per-rush average.
LeVeon Moss ended his freshman season with 27 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown, displaying a tough running style paired with quick burst and acceleration, and is prone to gain a ton of yards after contact, fitting the SEC mold at the running back position.
All three deserve snaps next season, and although the running back by committee approach scares off certain sects of the fanbase, in order to truly open up the field in Bobby Petrino’s offensive approach, utilizing every available athlete in specific in-game situations is the key to wearing down defenses at a consistent rate.
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