Where would Speights fit?
I guess i don't understand the various roles each of our RBs serve. My general assumption was that Tyree would be the change of pace, with Armstrong being the base back and Kyren Williams/Jahmir Smith roughly serving as the backups to Jafar (especially since Williams was noted for his hands and Kelly likes having an RB that can catch out of the backfield). Add to that Avery Davis and C'Bo (as speed alternatives to Tyree), and I really don't understand where Speights fits in.
To me, it seems the only back we're missing is a battering ram/Bo Scarborough/Derrick Henry back; we have 6 RBs, none of them are that and we're adding a 7th?
Replies to: Where would Speights fit?
We have zippo #1 backs for 2020
The fact that Kelly is even looking at a transfer shows what he thinks about the rb group. The lack of much spring ball hurt this group probably more than any other. They needed the work.
Overall, the rbs are one big shrug. I don't want to badmouth him but Armstrong is a huge question mark-- a lot of "promise" surrounded by not great production and injury. He still needs to learn how to be a running back and the lack of a spring didn't help him. C'Bo/Williams/Smith have been virtually indistinguishable from one another in terms of lack of production and consistency. Granted Smith was injured but none of these three have shown much to date to be excited about. Last on the depth chart, Avery Davis is, at best, a gimmick guy and Tyree should really subbing in for the plays where you would see Davis. Hard to really count him as a rb since he will rarely see the field at that position. As much as people might anticipate Tyree's arrival in 2020, freshman backs rarely make huge impacts their freshman years, especially ones of Tyree size.
I don't know what Speights adds overall in terms of his skills but given the vast question marks of the current rbs, why not?
Agreed
I do agree with you, that we don't have a clear-cut, bona fide #1 RB who has seized the reins.
If Jafar Armstrong can look like he did early on in 2018, before all of those injuries, then I'd say that we're in a pretty good situation, but given his history of injuries, I'm not too keen on relying on his being healthy and sound for the whole year.
C'bo Flemister looks like he could be a pretty good power back, if he packed on another 20 pounds of muscle. I don't know what effect the S&C will have during this off-season, though, since there;s only so much that Matt Balis can do remotely.
I don't know what to make of Kyren Williams. All we saw from him last year were a few carries in a couple of games, before getting shut down to preserve the redshirt year. Given his skill set, if Brian Kelly can't find a way for him to play, then there's something wrong. He's got a really good eye for the passing game, both in terms of pass route running and catching the ball, since he used to be a WR in high school.
C'Bo demonstrates tremendous power with his legs
which is way more important than upper body strength. Look at the running back from LSU this past year. His strength in the legs was unmatched. Usually running backs just need an opportunity to showcase what they have. Armstrong does have a strong skill set. I loved Tony Jones toughness and determination and no one wanted to tackle him if he broke into the secondary. The problem was he turned a lot of big runs into 4 yard gains where he had good blocking. Timing to the hole created which is a function of vision are very key in running backs, which Jones lacked but I think it is there for C'Bo in particular and his leg strength to finish TDs is apparent too.
He's still going to need about 20 more pounds on his frame
He played last year at 195 lbs. If you're going to be a power back, you need more momentum.
Looking at his frame, he can easily pack on 20 pounds of muscle, and still keep the same speed. I trust Coach Balis to make it happen.
Depth @running back, It's a win win for both parties
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