5. San Jose State
High ranking: 3rd | Low ranking: 10th
Projected depth: Kairee Robinson, Quali Conley, Jakob Galloway
The Spartans would have fared better here had Isaiah Ifanse not bounced back into the transfer portal after committing back in January, but Robinson should still get plenty of help this fall after handling 83% of the team’s running back carries in 2022. That’s because Conley is a former 1,000-yard rusher who posted the second-best PFF grade (82.5) among WAC running backs last season at Utah Tech and Galloway could be the second coming of Tyler Nevens. It’s possible SJSU could dip back into the transfer portal for further depth, but this trio may be better than you think.
4. San Diego State
High ranking: 2nd | Low ranking: 7th
Depth chart: Kenan Christon, Cam Davis, Jaylon Armstead, Lucky Sutton
The Aztecs’ running game hasn’t been quite as potent over the past few years as it was during the heyday of Rashaad Penny and Donnel Pumphrey, but this group is now one of the most experienced in the Mountain West headed in 2023. Christon clearly has some explosiveness despite averaging only 3.68 yards per carry last year while Armstead nearly doubled his YPC average from 2021 to 6.01, leaving Davis and Sutton as the real wild cards. This could be a boom-or-bust group or one that leads SDSU to another championship game.
3. Wyoming
High ranking: 2nd | Low ranking: 9th
Projected depth: Dawaiian McNeely, DQ James, Harrison Waylee, Caleb Driskill (FB)
This unit just keeps on trucking. Despite losing the likes of Xazavian Valladay, Titus Swen, Jordon Vaughn, and Joey Braasch over the last couple seasons, the Cowboys can still boast of three runners who could make a major impact in 2023.
For starters, McNeely has averaged 5.6 yards per carry in his first three years at Wyoming while James forced 15 missed tackles on just 40 carries in his first extended action last year. Waylee, meanwhile, led Northern Illinois in rushing yards during two of the last three seasons and was second among MAC running backs in 2022 with 3.74 yards per carry after contact. He’ll fit right in with the Pokes and, if everyone stays healthy, this could be one of the best units anywhere in the Mountain West.
2. Air Force
High ranking in group: 1st | Low ranking in group: 5th
Projected depth: John Lee Eldridge (TB/FB[?]), Owen Burk (FB), Sione Angilau, Aiden Calvert, Jet Harris
Losing Brad Roberts and Haaziq Daniels means that the Falcons will have to replace a combined 483 carries and 2,423 rushing yards, but you’d be wise not to underestimate this group too much because, well, the program tends to replace 1,000-yard running backs like you and I might restock a refrigerator.
Eldridge proved himself a big play waiting to happen in 2022, when he ran for ten or more yards on 26 of his 99 carries and averaged 7.74 yards per attempt, and there’s an inkling that he may be the one to replace Roberts at the newly minted “superback” position. Regardless of where he plays, all of the other players in this group were able to at least get their feet wet last season with a handful of carries and, with an experienced offensive line in front of them, should be in the conversation as the best rushing attack in the country this fall.
1. Boise State
High ranking: 1st | Low ranking: 2nd
Projected depth: George Holani, Ashton Jeanty, Tyler Crowe, Kaden Dudley
If you’re looking for a unit that has a case as the best one overall in the Mountain West, Holani and Jeanty could make that case by themselves. They’re two of the three running backs returning in 2023 who were among the top ten in rushing yards last year (CSU’s Morrow is the third) and, according to Pro Football Focus, also happen to be the top two highest-graded players at the position back this fall.
Additionally, Crowe has proven a solid producer when Holani and/or Jeanty need breathers, while Dudley could play a bigger role if the Broncos can continue to put themselves in a position to salt away leads. If this team has a big year, this group will likely be a big reason why.
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