Fall Camp Preview: Running Backs
Will Johnson, 12th Man Productions
With De'Von Achane exiting the program, and now with the Miami Dolphins, there’s a lot to replace in the running backs room at A&M.
Not only was Achane a 1,000-yard rusher, he was fourth in the nation in all-purpose yardage in 2022. Most around the SEC, and nation, will notice his absence during the preseason. But they’ll likely become aware of the talent that’s still at the position once the campaign kicks off.
Two running backs return that saw considerable time a season ago. Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels are ready to prove the backfield is still on solid ground.
Achane was injured for two November games in 2022, at Auburn and at home against UMass. On The Plains, Daniels stepped up to lead the team with 83 yards on just 11 carries. The next week, in miserable conditions at Kyle Field, Moss led the Aggies with 78 yards against UMass.
By season’s end, Daniels averaged 5.6 yards on 36 attempts. Moss went for 4.2 on 27 totes.
So--when needed--they filled in for Achane. Now they take over full time for him.
But when they played with him, they were aware of the greatness and there were lessons to be learned from him.
“Being patient,” Moss begins when discussing Achane. “I wasn’t really a patient back in high school. One cut and go. I watched his game…he was very patient.”
The returning duo will be joined by a true freshman in Reuben Owens from El Campo, Texas. During the recruiting process, Rivals ranked him as one of the Top 40 players in the nation, and as the No. 1 all-purpose back.
Jimbo Fisher loves multi-sport athletes, and Owens was excellent as a sprinter and long jumper in his prep days. He’ll definitely help stock the stable, giving the group a little something extra.
“Everybody has a different running style,” says Moss. “Everybody’s got a little speed, a little strength. I’ve been watching us rotate. It’s amazing.”
The group is now coached by Marquel Blackwell, who comes to A&M from Ole Miss. Last season his Rebel backfield led the SEC in rushing. He knows what it takes to make gains on the ground in this league and is well aware these Aggies need to be tackle breakers to have success.
“With Coach Blackwell, you can’t run from contact,” says Moss. “No running out of bounds.”
Taking to contact is critical. The last two ‘feature’ running backs at A&M excelled at it.
Isaiah Spiller (now with the Los Angeles Chargers) and Achane could keep their legs pumping even when running into the mass of SEC defensive fronts. They refused to go down and could push themselves to the next level of the defense. Now they’re at the sport’s highest level.
This group will have to do the same.
At times, first contact from the backfield will be made by Earnest Crownover. He’ll play the fullback role. He proved in the spring he’s not afraid to thump a defender, and create a lane.
And finally, four transfers will occupy the room including David Bailey, who notched over 500 carries in stops at Boston College (2018-20) and Colorado State (2021-22).
The 2023 running backs will be asked to fill the void left by an NFL talent. While talk in August might center around the past—the absence of Achane—the rhetoric from September onward could shift to what’s present in the Aggie backfield.
