Overall, it’s hard to tell a whole lot about running backs when they aren’t being tackled for the most part.
Brock Hays is in his first year as the RB coach, I think he’s still learning what Holtz expects from him.
Health is the key for this position, obviously.
I saw a big focus throughout the spring on reading blocks and hitting the correct holes. Seems like that may have been an issue at times.
Also, I didn’t see the delay draw near as often this spring as I have in the past.
Jaqwis Dancy:
-It’s all about health with Dancy. It seems like it’s something nearly every practice, whether it’s his ankle, groin, toenail coming off, etc.
-I bet he was limited in 10 of the 15 practices
-We know he’s the most talented RB, but he can’t be relied on at this point on a weekly basis
-Got 140 touches on offense in 2018 in 11 games, I think that’s an appropriate O/U in 2019
-Still a possibility that he returns kicks
Israel Tucker:
-Mr. Reliable, he’s not flashy, he doesn’t have exceptional speed or make you miss moves, but he’s just a good RB
-I think he starts the season opener at Texas
-He’s the best running back when it comes to pass protection
-Needs to stay healthy
Justin Henderson:
-Looked like he was slimmed up this spring
-He’s much more comfortable and is playing with much more confidence
-He’s the power guy
-Catches the ball well out of the backfield
-Will fumble the ball too much at times
-I think he’s a sleeper to get a bunch of carries in 2019, I think he’s finally all in to being a team guy, that’s the vibe I get when watching him
-Could be a guy that potentially returns kicks
DeAndre Marcus:
-Holtz said that he could not have been more impressed with the spring that he had, he’s going to have a real chance to help us this fall
-Such an impressive blend of size and speed
-Needs to catch the ball better out of the backfield
-I think there’s a good chance he’s the guy we go to out of the big bone formation this year down by the goal line
-He and Henderson had the most impressive springs out of the RBs
-He’s a one cut guy, and when he gets downhill he will run you over in the secondary
-He’s a RS FR, effort can be up and down at times, he’s always gotten by on talent alone, needs to focus on some of the smaller things more consistently
-Should be a key contributor on special teams
Elijah Hines:
-I think he’ll redshirt in 2019, unless two of the guys ahead of him get hurt
-He’s everything that he appears to be on tape, if he’s got the slightest bit of room he can take it to the house
-Was better early in the spring than he was late, Marcus really came on and took the reps he was getting
-I stick by my healthy Tevin King comparison for Hines
-Still learning the playbook
-Really good runner behind a zone blocking scheme, patient runner
-Needs to improve pass blocking
Overall:
-Dancy and Hines are the two guys that have big play potential
-Tucker is the most consistent
-Henderson and Marcus are the best between the tackles runners (can take the punishment), guys that could work their way into more snaps as the season goes on
-I was done with Henderson at end of 2018, but I’ve changed my tune due to him seeming to be much more committed now
-I don’t think we have a 1,000 yard back in 2019
-Outside of Tucker, pass protection at RB is a concern, they miss too many assignments and would have gotten the QB smoked quite a few times
-I still think there is a chance they had a grad transfer at RB, but we’ll see. It seems to be a little cooler right now than it was right after signing day
-Jordan Myles is a Boston Scott type of guy as a walk-on, he’ll be a guy to keep an eye on over the next few years. He’ll be a RS FR
Brock Hays is in his first year as the RB coach, I think he’s still learning what Holtz expects from him.
Health is the key for this position, obviously.
I saw a big focus throughout the spring on reading blocks and hitting the correct holes. Seems like that may have been an issue at times.
Also, I didn’t see the delay draw near as often this spring as I have in the past.
Jaqwis Dancy:
-It’s all about health with Dancy. It seems like it’s something nearly every practice, whether it’s his ankle, groin, toenail coming off, etc.
-I bet he was limited in 10 of the 15 practices
-We know he’s the most talented RB, but he can’t be relied on at this point on a weekly basis
-Got 140 touches on offense in 2018 in 11 games, I think that’s an appropriate O/U in 2019
-Still a possibility that he returns kicks
Israel Tucker:
-Mr. Reliable, he’s not flashy, he doesn’t have exceptional speed or make you miss moves, but he’s just a good RB
-I think he starts the season opener at Texas
-He’s the best running back when it comes to pass protection
-Needs to stay healthy
Justin Henderson:
-Looked like he was slimmed up this spring
-He’s much more comfortable and is playing with much more confidence
-He’s the power guy
-Catches the ball well out of the backfield
-Will fumble the ball too much at times
-I think he’s a sleeper to get a bunch of carries in 2019, I think he’s finally all in to being a team guy, that’s the vibe I get when watching him
-Could be a guy that potentially returns kicks
DeAndre Marcus:
-Holtz said that he could not have been more impressed with the spring that he had, he’s going to have a real chance to help us this fall
-Such an impressive blend of size and speed
-Needs to catch the ball better out of the backfield
-I think there’s a good chance he’s the guy we go to out of the big bone formation this year down by the goal line
-He and Henderson had the most impressive springs out of the RBs
-He’s a one cut guy, and when he gets downhill he will run you over in the secondary
-He’s a RS FR, effort can be up and down at times, he’s always gotten by on talent alone, needs to focus on some of the smaller things more consistently
-Should be a key contributor on special teams
Elijah Hines:
-I think he’ll redshirt in 2019, unless two of the guys ahead of him get hurt
-He’s everything that he appears to be on tape, if he’s got the slightest bit of room he can take it to the house
-Was better early in the spring than he was late, Marcus really came on and took the reps he was getting
-I stick by my healthy Tevin King comparison for Hines
-Still learning the playbook
-Really good runner behind a zone blocking scheme, patient runner
-Needs to improve pass blocking
Overall:
-Dancy and Hines are the two guys that have big play potential
-Tucker is the most consistent
-Henderson and Marcus are the best between the tackles runners (can take the punishment), guys that could work their way into more snaps as the season goes on
-I was done with Henderson at end of 2018, but I’ve changed my tune due to him seeming to be much more committed now
-I don’t think we have a 1,000 yard back in 2019
-Outside of Tucker, pass protection at RB is a concern, they miss too many assignments and would have gotten the QB smoked quite a few times
-I still think there is a chance they had a grad transfer at RB, but we’ll see. It seems to be a little cooler right now than it was right after signing day
-Jordan Myles is a Boston Scott type of guy as a walk-on, he’ll be a guy to keep an eye on over the next few years. He’ll be a RS FR
