Last year, the Baylor rushing attack was slightly below average with 2,330 total rushing yards. Charlie Brewer had more carries than any other player, although sacks are included in that number. JaMycal Hasty and John Lovett nearly split carries, with just over a hundred each and rushing in the mid 600 yard range. Tristan Ebner, converted from being a receiver, was hampered by injuries, but still made some contributions. John Lovett and Trestan Ebner are entering their senior years. Probably the most disturbing statistic is that Charlie Brewer had more rushing touchdowns than anyone else, and it wasn’t close. Brewer had eleven, Hasty seven, and Lovett five.
One of Matt Rhule’s more impressive accomplishments was putting together a credible running game. Taking over a depleted running back situation, he built something from next to nothing.
It will look different this year. JaMycal Hasty has moved on. Abram Smith has converted to linebacker.
John Lovett
#7, Senior, 6’0”, 212 lbs
Coming out of Cherokee High School in New Jersey, Lovett has been a steady contributor, getting 445 yards as a freshman, 573 as a sophomore and 655 as a junior. He was forced into service as a true freshman, and has not used a redshirt.
Trestan Ebner
#25, Senior, 5’11”, 208 lbs
Ebner was a three star out of Henderson, Texas. Matt Rhule converted him to running back, but he maintains the ability of a receiver. He rushed for 275 yards, but added another 317 yards receiving out of the backfield, even though he was slowed by injuries. Like Lovett, he was forced into service as a true freshman, and hasn’t used a redshirt.
Qualan Jones
#27, Redshirt Freshman, 5’11”, 230 lbs
Jones is intriguing. A four star out of Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, he looked good on the field in his four freshman games. He’s big enough to break tackles and has decent speed in the open. He won a state championship in high school, and was also a pass catching threat, with nineteen receptions for 456 yards and six scores.
Craig Williams
#20, Redshirt Freshman, 5’8”, 173 lbs
“Sqwirl” Williams is another interesting story. As a true freshman, he got two carries against Kansas State, one a critical 21 yard touchdown, and we never saw him again. He didn’t play at all in 2019 because of an injury. Due to his size, he won’t be an every down back, but he’s shifty with the ability to change directions and hit full speed almost immediately. If he returns to full health, he could be an excellent change up back. He can also catch the ball. He came out of Crosby, TX.
Taye McWilliams
#22, Freshman, 6’1”, 205 lbs
In what was considered a down recruiting year for Baylor, the Bears hit two home runs. Taye McWilliams was one of them. A four star out of Lamar Consolidated in Rosenberg, he was district offensive MVP. He has a chance to see the field a lot as a true freshman.
The others
Jacoby Clarke
#31, Redshirt Freshman, 6’0”, 195
Clarke is out of the Woodlands, Texas. He got a couple of carries against SFA in 2019.
Jonah White
#33, Redshirt Freshman, 6’0”, 208 lbs
Out of Merkel High School in Texas, White was primarily a QB in high school, but was a better rusher than passer. He also played defensive back. Got one carry against UTSA last year.
Summary
Although much of it will depend on the offensive line, the Bears have a chance to be outstanding in the rushing attack this year. They have two seniors with a lot of experience, two four stars waiting to break loose, and the “Sqwirl,” if he can make it back from injury. Ebner, Jones and Williams have all demonstrated the ability to catch the ball. There’s no shortage of players that can move with the ball in space.
The most concerning area is short yardage. Baylor's been looking for a short yardage back for several years. They need somebody to step up.
There are two critical questions:
One of Matt Rhule’s more impressive accomplishments was putting together a credible running game. Taking over a depleted running back situation, he built something from next to nothing.
It will look different this year. JaMycal Hasty has moved on. Abram Smith has converted to linebacker.
John Lovett
#7, Senior, 6’0”, 212 lbs
Coming out of Cherokee High School in New Jersey, Lovett has been a steady contributor, getting 445 yards as a freshman, 573 as a sophomore and 655 as a junior. He was forced into service as a true freshman, and has not used a redshirt.
Trestan Ebner
#25, Senior, 5’11”, 208 lbs
Ebner was a three star out of Henderson, Texas. Matt Rhule converted him to running back, but he maintains the ability of a receiver. He rushed for 275 yards, but added another 317 yards receiving out of the backfield, even though he was slowed by injuries. Like Lovett, he was forced into service as a true freshman, and hasn’t used a redshirt.
Qualan Jones
#27, Redshirt Freshman, 5’11”, 230 lbs
Jones is intriguing. A four star out of Trinity Christian in Cedar Hill, he looked good on the field in his four freshman games. He’s big enough to break tackles and has decent speed in the open. He won a state championship in high school, and was also a pass catching threat, with nineteen receptions for 456 yards and six scores.
Craig Williams
#20, Redshirt Freshman, 5’8”, 173 lbs
“Sqwirl” Williams is another interesting story. As a true freshman, he got two carries against Kansas State, one a critical 21 yard touchdown, and we never saw him again. He didn’t play at all in 2019 because of an injury. Due to his size, he won’t be an every down back, but he’s shifty with the ability to change directions and hit full speed almost immediately. If he returns to full health, he could be an excellent change up back. He can also catch the ball. He came out of Crosby, TX.
Taye McWilliams
#22, Freshman, 6’1”, 205 lbs
In what was considered a down recruiting year for Baylor, the Bears hit two home runs. Taye McWilliams was one of them. A four star out of Lamar Consolidated in Rosenberg, he was district offensive MVP. He has a chance to see the field a lot as a true freshman.
The others
Jacoby Clarke
#31, Redshirt Freshman, 6’0”, 195
Clarke is out of the Woodlands, Texas. He got a couple of carries against SFA in 2019.
Jonah White
#33, Redshirt Freshman, 6’0”, 208 lbs
Out of Merkel High School in Texas, White was primarily a QB in high school, but was a better rusher than passer. He also played defensive back. Got one carry against UTSA last year.
Summary
Although much of it will depend on the offensive line, the Bears have a chance to be outstanding in the rushing attack this year. They have two seniors with a lot of experience, two four stars waiting to break loose, and the “Sqwirl,” if he can make it back from injury. Ebner, Jones and Williams have all demonstrated the ability to catch the ball. There’s no shortage of players that can move with the ball in space.
The most concerning area is short yardage. Baylor's been looking for a short yardage back for several years. They need somebody to step up.
There are two critical questions:
- Can the offensive line improve?
- Can either Jones or McWilliams emerge as a short yardage back?
