Spring Position Preview: Buffs RBs Have Talent, But Little Experience

BOULDER — Experience will not be a commodity in large supply in the Colorado backfield next fall — at least not at running back.

If the Buffs are to continue their recent tradition of 1,000-yard backs, the question of who will fill those shoes is a big one. Only one running back on the current roster — senior Beau Bisharat — has more than 100 career rushing yards to his credit. The rest of the roster consists of talented but untested backs.

What we do know, however, is that there will be an increased emphasis on running the ball under new head coach Mel Tucker and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. Since the day he arrived, Tucker has stressed that he wants a more balanced attack (similar to teams he was part of at Georgia and Alabama) with more than one back getting a slice of the pie.

That definitely hasn't been the case at Colorado over the last few years. While the Buffs had had three straight 1,000-yard rushers for only the second time in program history (Phillip Lindsay in 2016 and 2017, Travon McMillian in 2018), those years were also one-man shows.

Tucker, though, has stressed that he not only wants to run the ball with consistency, he wants to have a fresh set of legs in the backfield on a regular basis. It's what he saw at Georgia — the Bulldogs had back-to-back years with two 1,000-yard rushers — and there's no doubt he would like a similar system in Boulder.

"How many big backs can we put on the field, can we rotate in, can we be fresh and come at them in waves in the backfield?" Tucker asked in December. "That's what we're looking for. We want guys that can run, yards after contact, yards after catch, dependable in pass protection."

2018 IN REVIEW: The Buffs leaned heavily on McMillian last year, with the senior grad transfer finishing with 201 carries for 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns. But after that, the second-most carries by a back went to another senior, Kyle Evans (69 for 201).

Overall, the running game struggled to establish any consistency. While McMillian hit some big runs — he had four carries of at least 49 yards — the Buffs were not particularly effective in short-yardage situations, especially when wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. was injured and was not available for the wildcat formation.

Bisharat did show some flashes when given the chance, carrying 21 times for 143 yards. Alex Fontenot (a sophomore this year) had 11 carries for 45 yards and also showed some flashes. Walkon Chase Sanders also had four carries for 8 yards.

WHO'S BACK: Along with Bisharat and Fontenot, also returning are redshirt freshmen Deion Smith and Jarek Broussard, as well as walk-ons Sanders and Noa Lukela.

WHO'S NEW: The Buffs added running backs (both high school recruits) in their latest signing class, and both — Joe Davis and Jaren Mangham — are already enrolled and on campus, taking part in spring drills.

SPRING STORYLINES: The man in the spotlight here might be running backs coach Darian Hagan, who has coached the last three 1,000-yard rushers. This year, however, might be his biggest challenge yet as the Buffs increase the emphasis on the run game.

Hagan has a talented if inexperienced group to work with. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Bisharat is the biggest and most powerful of the bunch, while Fontenot has good speed and acceleration. It will be interesting to see what both can do with some consistent work, and early in spring ball, both have been getting their share of reps with the No. 1 offense.

But they will no doubt be pushed by the youngsters who have been awaiting their chance. Smith and Broussard have both shown flashes in the three spring practices, and Davis and Mangham have also already been impressive.

With 11 more practices to go before the spring game, it will be fun to see how the reps are divided and who gets the work. It is no doubt an important development time for the backs, but it's also a competition that will almost certainly continue into fall camp.

FALL CAMP LOOK AHEAD: This is where the rubber will no doubt meet the road. Spring ball will give the coaching staff an idea of a rotation, but the decisions will be made in fall camp, when coaches have a chance to see the players every day.

Most interesting might be watching how Hagan decides to split the carries and keep fresh legs in the game.

SPRING SCHEDULE: Out on spring break this week, the Buffs will return to work next Monday, with 11 more practices before the April 27 spring game.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu