By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Statistics are factual. But when it comes to football, they can summon a range of emotions.
For instance, the excitement from Baylor’s 2021 rushing attack is that it ground things out for 3,070 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
The sobering element is that going into 2022, 78 percent of it left. Abram Smith (school-record 1,601 yards) and Trestan Ebner (799) have moved on to the NFL draft process.
Now, Baylor must turn to a new group between Taye McWilliams, Sqwirl Williams and the transitioned Josh Fleeks to become a new attack.
“Last year was last year, we’re letting that go,’’ Williams said. “We took a lot of mental reps last year. This year we’re just really looking forward to getting better as a team, getting better in the running back room and picking up the slack with the guys who left last year.”
All of these names are familiar in Baylor circles. They’ve been around the program for years and seen some action in mostly mop up time. However, they have not been in the spotlight. Indeed, it’s called waiting their turn.
But there is the belief, hope, expectations – whatever word you want to use - that some if not all can keep the momentum moving forward.
“They all have a unique skill set,’’ Baylor running backs coach Justin “Juice” Johnson said, “and they’re all preparing the right way and approaching it and they’re all eager to get in there and show what they can do.”
The most established is McWilliams who had a 104-yard performance against Texas Southern. He is the leading return rusher (181 yards) from a collection of those that does not include any BU quarterbacks. Other listed running backs combined for 135 yards.
McWilliams, a junior, has the physicality at 6-1, 211 to be a power back but has the footspeed to be elusive. Williams, a junior, has the nickname going for him. He became a brief starter in 2020 before he tore his ACL at Iowa State. Sqwirl then saw just four carries in 2021.
Then there’s Fleeks who has played running back in his career and converted from wide receiver. The RVO offense is looking for someone to take the role Ebner vacated between running and swiftly catching the ball out of the backfield. Fleeks appears to have the best chance to do that.
“I feel like I’m just an in-between,’’ McWilliams said. “I do a little bit of everything. I’ve really just been working at every category, trying to upgrade everything to reach the next level.”
Time will tell if roles will be established when spring ball concludes with the April 23 spring game. The advantage for this unit is that it has a veteran offensive line to lead the way. Baylor returns four of the five starters from 2021.
They know how the RVO works and that every gap is going to be available at some point in the play. From there it’s going to be a matter of read and recognition from the one carrying the football.
“We’re excited and blessed to have those guys back,’’ Johnson said. “And those guys are going to lead the way, clear guys out of the way, and we’ll take what they give us.”
Publisher
Statistics are factual. But when it comes to football, they can summon a range of emotions.
For instance, the excitement from Baylor’s 2021 rushing attack is that it ground things out for 3,070 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
The sobering element is that going into 2022, 78 percent of it left. Abram Smith (school-record 1,601 yards) and Trestan Ebner (799) have moved on to the NFL draft process.
Now, Baylor must turn to a new group between Taye McWilliams, Sqwirl Williams and the transitioned Josh Fleeks to become a new attack.
“Last year was last year, we’re letting that go,’’ Williams said. “We took a lot of mental reps last year. This year we’re just really looking forward to getting better as a team, getting better in the running back room and picking up the slack with the guys who left last year.”
All of these names are familiar in Baylor circles. They’ve been around the program for years and seen some action in mostly mop up time. However, they have not been in the spotlight. Indeed, it’s called waiting their turn.
But there is the belief, hope, expectations – whatever word you want to use - that some if not all can keep the momentum moving forward.
“They all have a unique skill set,’’ Baylor running backs coach Justin “Juice” Johnson said, “and they’re all preparing the right way and approaching it and they’re all eager to get in there and show what they can do.”
The most established is McWilliams who had a 104-yard performance against Texas Southern. He is the leading return rusher (181 yards) from a collection of those that does not include any BU quarterbacks. Other listed running backs combined for 135 yards.
McWilliams, a junior, has the physicality at 6-1, 211 to be a power back but has the footspeed to be elusive. Williams, a junior, has the nickname going for him. He became a brief starter in 2020 before he tore his ACL at Iowa State. Sqwirl then saw just four carries in 2021.
Then there’s Fleeks who has played running back in his career and converted from wide receiver. The RVO offense is looking for someone to take the role Ebner vacated between running and swiftly catching the ball out of the backfield. Fleeks appears to have the best chance to do that.
“I feel like I’m just an in-between,’’ McWilliams said. “I do a little bit of everything. I’ve really just been working at every category, trying to upgrade everything to reach the next level.”
Time will tell if roles will be established when spring ball concludes with the April 23 spring game. The advantage for this unit is that it has a veteran offensive line to lead the way. Baylor returns four of the five starters from 2021.
They know how the RVO works and that every gap is going to be available at some point in the play. From there it’s going to be a matter of read and recognition from the one carrying the football.
“We’re excited and blessed to have those guys back,’’ Johnson said. “And those guys are going to lead the way, clear guys out of the way, and we’ll take what they give us.”
