2019 Spring Preview: RB

[Poptimus]

We are not thin at RB, surprised this notion is being put forth by multiple posters. I’d argue we are fairly deep. Deep enough not to worry about it.

 

[LuCane]

While Stefan wrote this post, 11 inside zone running plays were called on either 1st down or 2nd and 10 after an incompletion.

 

[thinkkaz]

Only 10 catches for DJ is criminal

Why? He's shown nothing in high school or college to say he's someone who can be effective out of the backfield. Outside of some people saying he was WR coming out of high school, which he didn't do, it might be time to say he's not actually a big threat out of the backfield.

 

[TOcane]

For what its worth, I don't think Crispian Atkins is on the team anymore. Think he transferred.

And Cam David has a new last name.

 

[deleted4697]

We need to have Lingard healthy. Would like to see him and Davis take over the reigns

This is the best scenario. Love deejay, but he needs to be a wildcard player. He needs to have a lot of touches, but shouldn't be lead back.

 

[atlcane72]

Why? He's shown nothing in high school or college to say he's someone who can be effective out of the backfield. Outside of some people saying he was WR coming out of high school, which he didn't do, it might be time to say he's not actually a big threat out of the backfield.

I recall DJ getting some nice gains on screens.

 

[SayWhat]

Does Asa have to sit a year for sure?

 

[Geddy Lee]

Does Asa have to sit a year for sure?

No word yet. So people saying that it’s unlikely he will be granted a waiver actually don’t know **** and shouldn’t speculate. Yea I’m talking to you @Stefan Adams

 

[Captain Uberpants]

When Ligawd is your #3 option (for now), you’re doing okay at RB.

 

[HighSeas]

Personally I’m not entirely sold on Dallas being the lead back for us this year.


He was basically non existent beyond the first 5 games of the season outside of the duke game and didn’t look good in the rest of the games with a horrific ypc from games 6-13(8 games).

Interested in seeing how all this transpires but I hope Dallas has indeed dropped some weight and does well in the spring. I’m also eyeing cam Davis having a big spring personally. I dont Expect lingard to do much beyond light drills this spring to ease him back in

You're putting way too much stock into stats from a trainwreck offense run by a lame duck OC/HC. A lot of talented skill position players failed to produce in that ecosystem. Dallas has all the traits you could want in a feature back besides long speed.

 

[404CANES]

Why? He's shown nothing in high school or college to say he's someone who can be effective out of the backfield. Outside of some people saying he was WR coming out of high school, which he didn't do, it might be time to say he's not actually a big threat out of the backfield.

He only played qb his senior yr...prior to that he lined up at rb and receiver

 

[252cane]

Deejay is more of a utility guy to me. He isn't a natural back but he can make plays with the ball in his hands.

 

[mirvin88]

In 2018, the Hurricanes finished 45th in the country at 191.5 rushing yards per game. The bulk of that came from Travis Homer, who had a second straight 900+ yard season on his way to declaring early for the NFL Draft. Overall, the running game was mostly effective against opponents that the Hurricanes were expected to beat and clearly outmatched in talent level, but UM struggled to run on fronts that recruited at the same level as Miami.

Often times, Miami backs had to create room for themselves when the line couldn’t get push, and consistently running up the middle proved to be a tough task for the Canes. Previously stifled by an unimaginative power-oriented run game poorly suited for an undersized and more athletic OL, Miami is hoping a change in offensive philosophy with new OC Dan Enos can get the most out of the offensive line and a talented stable of backs just looking for room to run in 2019.

The runner most obviously in line to replace Homer as UM’s lead back is last season’s #2, DeeJay Dallas. The junior is a running back with a receiver’s skills, as proven by Dallas starting his career at wide-out, and he showed off his versatility last season, running for 617 yards on 109 carries, catching 10 passes, and operating as Miami’s main return man on kickoffs and punts (1 TD return). This spring will be Dallas’ opportunity to show the staff he can handle a heavier workload and prove his fumble issues are behind him. As a weapon that can be moved all around the field, Miami finally started to get creative with Dallas and line him up all over the formation towards the end of 2018. Hopefully that continues with Enos to show off Dallas’ excellent hands and keep defenses off-balance in 2019.

Sophomore Cam Davis looked destined to redshirt last season, but seized his chance after Lorenzo Lingard went down for the season and Homer missed some time with a calf injury. Davis showed exciting burst and blended that with tough inside running, proving he had plenty of potential. Davis took the rock for 28 carries for 166 yards in 2018, and found the endzone in crucial moments for the Canes, scoring against Georgia Tech to keep UM in the game, and scoring twice to help Miami pull away versus Virginia Tech. He might have the most natural running back instincts on the roster and is in the best position to benefit if Miami decides to leave Dallas in more of a flex-type role.

Even though Dallas and Davis represent a more than solid top 2, arguably the most talented runner on the roster won’t suit up for full contact this spring. Sophomore Lorenzo Lingard missed much of his freshman season due to knee surgery, recording 17 carries for 136 yards and 2 TD’s in just 6 games, but is expected to be full-go for fall camp. Minor issues in Lingard’s game like pass protection and running too stiff and upright held him back a bit in 2018, and it’s disappointing we won’t be able to see if progress has been made in those areas this spring. Still, at 6’0” 202 pounds, Lingard was previously running in the 4.2’s and he will be hard to keep off the field as a change of pace back at minimum if he can return at 100%.

Even with Lingard out last season, sophomore Robert Burns was unable to carve out much of a role, and was passed up on the depth chart by Davis. Burns was only able to muster 2 carries for 10 yards in 2018 and is in danger of becoming transfer fodder. On the bright side, he stayed healthy for the first time in an entire season dating back the past 4 years to high school, so Burns will look to build on that and become UM’s #3 back this spring. To challenge him for that role, Miami brought in Auburn transfer Asa Martin, who had 13 carries for 57 yards as a freshman for the Tigers in 2018. While it’s likely Martin will not be able to play in 2019 (barring getting an unexpected transfer waiver), the sophomore is a former top recruit that’s a well-built power back at 5’11” 210 pounds, and UM will look to see what he can bring to the rotation this spring.

Redshirt freshman Realus George is next up to replace the departed Trayone Gray at fullback and it could be tough to fill Gray’s shoes, as he proved extremely effective at picking up short yardage situations in Mark Richt’s offense. It remains to be seen just how much a fullback will be needed in Enos’ system, but George certainly has the ability to be an asset in goal-line opportunities when he’s called upon.

All in all, there is talent from top to bottom in the running back crew, but there will still be questions to be answered this spring and beyond. Can UM find a reliable primary back and are depth concerns warranted? If Lingard struggles in his recovery and Martin is ruled ineligible, UM will have only 3 scholarship backs, including Burns who has proved nothing at this level. How the reps get split up this spring will go a long way to determine if Dallas and Davis will be in a timeshare to start the season or if one primary back is emerging.

This is a lot of words to state the obvious. Though, Dallas should not be thought of as the obvious starter. His work ethic is suspect and he underperformed last year.

 

[ddann]

This is a lot of words to state the obvious. Though, Dallas should not be thought of as the obvious starter. His work ethic is suspect and he underperformed last year.

What evidence is there that his work ethic is suspect?

 

[Shaudluc]

Crazy thin at a position Miami should steady be 4 or 5 deep with 4 star players or better.

We actually are
Dallas was a 4 star
Lingard was a 5 star
Martin was a 4 star
Davis was a 4 star

 

[TemplarCane]

I think we have a solid, diverse group of running backs. Unimaginative play-calling and subpar OL performance were the cause of a weak running game. Not a lack of talent at the RB position.

 

[k9cane]

You're putting way too much stock into stats from a trainwreck offense run by a lame duck OC/HC. A lot of talented skill position players failed to produce in that ecosystem. Dallas has all the traits you could want in a feature back besides long speed.

Im with you, while I dont think Deejay 'does' Dallas is a true bona-fide #1 back (and he had some fumble issues in the middle of the season), he made a lot of big plays last season in that AOL offense of ours. Just find him ways to get him touches and good stuff will happen

 

[brock]

Im with you, while I dont think Deejay 'does' Dallas is a true bona-fide #1 back (and he had some fumble issues in the middle of the season), he made a lot of big plays last season in that AOL offense of ours. Just find him ways to get him touches and good stuff will happen

The drop off from homer to deejay after the 5 games was pretty severe though. Factor in the fumble issues, obvious weight gain, Dallas has plenty to prove this spring

 

[Dghustla]

Personally I’m not entirely sold on Dallas being the lead back for us this year.

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He was basically non existent beyond the first 5 games of the season outside of the duke game and didn’t look good in the rest of the games with a horrific ypc from games 6-13(8 games).

Interested in seeing how all this transpires but I hope Dallas has indeed dropped some weight and does well in the spring. I’m also eyeing cam Davis having a big spring personally. I dont Expect lingard to do much beyond light drills this spring to ease him back in

I would throw away every game Log from last season. Because we almost never converted on third downs and Richt was a little off with rotation of players at times.

With that said do I think Dallas is going to get 25 carriers a game and be effective? I’m not sure. I’m not sure we are going to ask any RB to carry the ball 25 time unless we are draining clock in a blow out.

With his weight gain he looked like he lost some stamina but since he is a warrior he always finished strong. Maybe with the new strength coach they will get him into a shape that he performs best at.

I think between catches and carries he will be around 15-20 touches a game. Which is enough to qualify him as a feature back. He’s just got to make plays consistently which I thought he did a good job of last year.

 

[ShadowSpring]

We are good at RB.

OL and QB.