One of the more intriguing positions to watch this offseason has been the running back room. The Flames return 1,000 yard rusher Frankie Hickson and Peytton Pickett who had 10 touchdowns last year. Throw in the FCS’ leading rusher from 2017 in Joshua Mack and it’s a very talented room. New running backs coach Bruce Johnson will have his work cut out for him as he tries to find enough carries for each guy.

Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “We’ve got some work to do. We’re still working, not quite there yet. We’ve still got to learn the ins and outs and the nuances of this offense and what the scheme brings with the RPOs and when we’re pass protecting. Things that don’t involve us running the ball, if it’s an RPO and the quarterback throws, we still got to learn how to finish through and sell the fake or pick up a block from here or there if someone is coming off the edge.”

Frontrunner

23 Frankie Hickson R-SR 5’8″ 190

Frankie broke out in a big way last year, finishing the season with 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s poised to have a terrific senior season.

Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “Frankie’s the dude, man. Frankie’s the guy. How about Frankie being a 3rd team, 4th team guy a couple years ago and then he falls into this spot where he rushes for a thousand plus yards last year. Having his leadership in that room, having his leadership on the field with the football program has been pretty cool. Frankie is a special talent running the ball. He’s got to learn how to block a little bit better with his pass protection technique, getting his feet going, putting his eyes in the right spot, and learning how to punch correctly, but he’s getting there. He’s not totally polished, but he’s getting there.”

Competition

25 Peytton Pickett R-JR 5’10” 210

Pickett also had a big year last season after transferring in from Trinity Valley Community College. He finished with 457 yards and 9 touchdowns and really made his mark in short yardage and goalline packages. He and Frankie both dealt with some nagging injuries in the spring, but they are both healthy and have been receiving their fair share of reps during camp.

Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “He’s learning how to use his body playing that position. He’s learning how to not throw a shoulder in on a block, but use your hands from your lats and just push and strike and be violent with his hands not using his shoulders on some blocks. He’s getting there. He’s still learning how to perform with his hands.”

Joshua Mack

34 Joshua Mack R-JR 6’0″ 195

Mack joined the program prior to the 2018 season after transferring in from Maine where he led the FCS with 133.5 rushing yards per game. In his two seasons with the Black Bears, Mack rushed for 2,047 yards. He joined the program as a preferred walk-on before being put on scholarship this past January.

Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “It’s still a work in progress with J-Mack, learning his body and his body language with the ball and protecting it. He’s learning how to play this position a little bit differently from what he had played before at the other school and then having been on the scout team. Now, he’s with us. Spring was a little learning process, but now he’s getting it. He’s starting to understand where he’s supposed to put his eyes on protection, how to carry the ball correctly, and the energy to use on the field to get everyone else going.”

Depth

20 Troy Henderson R-FR 5’10” 180
21 Treon Sibley FR 6’0″ 190
31 Domonhic Jennings FR 5’11” 205
37 Gabriel Elliott R-FR 5’10” 190
*NOTE: 33 Frank Boyd R-SO 5’11” 190 MOVED TO CB DURING CAMP*

As we noted previously, Frank Boyd has switched positions from running back to corner during camp.

Running Backs Coach Bruce Johnson – “He’s athletic enough to do some things special teams wise. For our room, it’s given Troy Henderson and Treon Sibley more reps. They’re always one or two plays away from getting on the field, especially with 23 Frankie and Pickett and J-Mack up in the top. So, it’s given some reps for those other guys.”