The Flames have to replace two strong producers at running back with Carrington Mosley and Todd Macon both exhausting their eligibility. That duo combined to rush for over 2,200 yards over the previous 2 seasons. But the cupboard isn’t completely bare for new running backs coach Mike Brown as he has Frankie Hickson and Kentory Matthews who return from a 2017 season where they combined to rush for over 600 yards. Redshirt-freshman Frank Boyd and JUCO transfer Peytton Pickett will also factor into the running back rotation. Everything is trending towards Coach Gill and Brown utilizing a running back by committee take for this season.
“We’re going to rotate 2 or 3 guys,” Coach Gill said of his running back situation. “Which 2 or 3, I think that’s up for discussion. We’re still going to finalize that as we get closer to the (opening) game. We’re trying to find some guys that can do all 3 – carry the load, be able to catch the football, and be able to block.”
Hickson has excelled on the kickoff return team, earning 2nd team all Big South honors in each of his first 2 seasons on the field, a role he’s expected to maintain in 2018. He’s also excelled during his time as a running back, rushing for 825 yards as a reserve the past 2 years.
Frankie Hickson is the top returning back
Arguably the fastest guy on the team, Kentory Matthews is expected to see his number of plays and carries increase. After transferring in from Blinn Junior College in Texas, the Virginia Beach native rushed for 7.3 yards per carry on his limited 31 attempts.
Gill singled out Peytton Pickett earlier this week as a guy that has turned heads the most on offense during training camp. A redshirt-sophomore, Pickett was a late addition to the roster this offseason after transferring in from Trinity Valley Community College. Gill says that physically, he’s ready to play, but he’s still learning the offense. He’s also a guy that Gill has mentioned as being able to perform in all 3 areas he wants running backs to do.
“Pickett, physically, he can play, but he needs to know our offense,” Gill said. “If you don’t know what to do when the play is called then you don’t have a chance. He’s making progress, but I can’t say right now he understands the whole offense and we can put him in a football game and say he knows it all and he can go out and do the things we need him to do. Now, he’s going to play. How much? That’s up to him.”
Frank Boyd turned heads during spring practice, earning the Samkon Gado Award as being the most improved offensive player of the spring. He redshirted during his true freshman season last year, and he will get a chance to make an impact on the rotation this season. Boyd put on nearly 20 pounds during the offseason as he used his redshirt year to perfect his craft.
“I learned the game of football (during my redshirt year),” Boyd said. “Coming in, I didn’t know the game of football, I just played. But now I have an understanding of what the defense is doing, what the offense is doing, so I can play the game at a faster pace.”
Frank Boyd looks to make an impact following his redshirt season
3-star recruit, Troy Henderson, also joins the running back room. The Franklin, Tennessee product will likely redshirt as he’s behind 4 other capable backs, but he could be called upon if there are any injuries. Matthews says Henderson is the only running back on the roster that can challenge his speed.
“He’s an exciting player to watch,” Mike Brown said of the true freshman. “I think the future is bright for him. It will be fun working with him.”
While he’s ineligible to play this year due to NCAA transfer requirements, Joshua Mack may be the best running back on the roster. Mack comes to the Hill City through the University of Maine where he led all of FCS in rushing as a sophomore in 2017 with 1,335 yards and 9 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He was also 2nd on the Black Bears in receiving with 30 catches for 209 yards. His 133.9 rushing yards per game led all FCS rushers and was 3rd in FCS with 161.5 all-purpose yards per game. He was named first-team all-American by STATS and the Associated Press. The 6’1″, 198 pound back is originally from Rochester, New York and led Maine in rushing as a freshman with 712 yards and 6 touchdowns. He will spend the 2018 season going against Liberty’s 1st team defense every day in practice as part of the scout team.
Gill said all of the running backs have performed will during camp, particularly in the team’s scrimmage this past Saturday. “We have a ways to go, but I really like what I’ve seen from the beginning of camp to this point in time. If I had to say one group on the offensive side that has done well (it would be the running backs). They’re going to be able to help our football team.”
