Utah State Football: Running back preview


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LOGAN − The Utah State Aggies entered fall camp with four running backs vying for carries behind senior LaJuan Hunt. After fall camp, the backfield still hasn't sorted itself out completely, but that might not be a problem. The youth and inexperience, however, might be a problem.

Hunt, who will lead the backs, has improved every game as a true freshman when he totaled 111 carries for 540 yards and a lone touchdown with no fumbles. He got the start in four games last year, but he saw action in all 14. He uses great field vision to see the hole and incredible acceleration to get through it. He also has great hands as he showed last year adding 10 catches for 99 yards out of the backfield.

Sophomore Tonny Lindsey redshirted his first season after transferring from Cerritos Junior College. While at Cerritos Lindsey carried the ball 55 times for 530 yards with four touchdowns in just seven games. While Lindsey didn't separate himself during fall camp, his impressive spring ball gets him the nod as the No. 2 behind Hunt. Lindsey is a solid all-around runner. He operates well in space and uses good hands out of the backfield to make some great catches.

Junior Devante Mays joined the Aggies in December after earning Southwest Junior College Football Conference Honorable Mention in 2014. He is coming off a season where he averaged nearly 10 yards a carry in six games. He is big physical back ideal for use on third and short. He will hit the hole hard and run over defenders before he tries to go around them.

Utah State preview: Running Backs

Junior Kennedy Williams is an enigma. Williams, the younger brother of former Aggie and current Arizona Cardinal Kerwynn Williams, has been placed all over the field through spring and fall football. Last year, Williams had just eight carries for 81 yards and caught four passes for 34 yards while playing in all 14 games. He seems to have improved vastly this offseason with the coaches looking for anywhere they can get him on the field. Williams is a smart football player with great hands, and he has shown the ability to make plays. By the time the season ends Williams might be more slot receiver than running back, but he will make big plays this season.

The low man on the totem pole might be redshirt freshman Justen Hervey. He is a young player with a ton of speed, and he had made big strides in development during spring football before he had to miss time with a shoulder injury. He has great breakaway speed and is very elusive. If he gets more time in the slot or playing as a receiver expect him to play a bigger role in the offense.

College journeyman Joe Palange is an interesting player to note. He followed new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel to Utah State from Oklahoma. Palange started out at William & Mary before moving on to Oklahoma after just one season. Palange was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year while at Oklahoma following the 2014 season. Palange was listed as a fullback on Oklahoma's roster although his current position at Utah State is listed as a tight end. Palange would be very useful in short-yardage situations with his experience as a fullback.

It will be interesting to watch throughout the season to see how this very young running back group has developed and exactly how it fits within Heupel's new offense. A lot of the running backs' success, or failure, can be put on the offensive line, but this group has the talent to be very good this season.

Parker Robertson is a graduate of Utah State University, a freelance contributor and an avid fan of sports. Follow me on Twitter @ParkerRob78 Email: ParkerRobertson18@gmail.com

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