With expected starting running back Jirehl Brock leaving the team after allegations stemming from the gambling investigation, more questions surround the team at another major position.
When the dust settles and Iowa State lines up across from UNI, who will be the starting running back?
Head coach Matt Campbell has been trying to answer this question throughout all of fall camp. However, the answer isn’t as easy as it may seem.
The problem does not arise with the lack of a clear starter. The problem is the overflowing level of talent from the running back room. There are currently five players with starter-level talent, all fighting for a spot on the field. That’s why the answer to the big question may be right in front of everyone.
“Tailback by committee.”
Campbell uttered those words in his first press conference following football media day. At that point in time, Brock’s name was out of the headlines.
Campbell went on to list off the tailbacks that could lead the committee. Cartevious Norton, Eli Sanders, Abu Sama, Carson Hansen and Arlen Harris Jr. Brock wasn’t practicing with the team for undisclosed reasons at the time of the conference, so he was not on the list.
It was weird that Campbell would be talking about running a system that saw five guys touching the field at any point in the season. I mean, Brock was still with the team and as healthy as ever, so why would the leading rusher not be the clear-cut starter?
Then the news broke, and it all became clear. Campbell was planning for the worst, so he wasn’t caught off guard when it happened.
Now that all five guys have taken plenty of reps in fall camp, the room is not behind at all with the news of Brock. Instead, the running back room is looking to be better than ever.
After the lack of run game last season, which seemed to contribute to the stagnant offense at times, it is hard to make a case for the run game to be the strong suit going forward. However, taking a look at a few things makes it clear that the running back room had to hit a low in order to reach its high.
First things first, the health of the team is where it needs to be. Last season, the run game sputtered many times due to injuries across the board.
Norton broke out early on but dealt with injuries that held him back through the first half of the season. Then when Norton came back, Brock was out with injuries.
The constant battle to stay healthy was a huge factor in the lack of offensive output from the running side of things. With all five of the current running backs looking healthy and ready to hit the field, there shouldn’t be anything holding back the team from the jump.
Next up is the talent of the returning players. Both Sanders and Norton had chances throughout the 2022 season to show off.
Although both were overshadowed at times, they showed flashes of talent. Now that the two are the veterans of the team, it is up to them to find those flashes more often.
Offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase is confident in his guys and said that the two returners have “big play ability.” Not only that, but the guys should complement each other’s run styles throughout the year.
Norton is a big body guy who can break to the edge with speed and power. He also said he’s been working on getting vertical more often and breaking through any gaps he finds on the line.
Sanders is quick and agile, which bodes well for making big plays. If Sanders finds space on the edge, there will be nothing between him and the endzone.
The last piece of the puzzle that’s been talked about throughout fall camp is the talent of the newcomers.
“They’re awesome. The guys are strivin’ every day to make big leaps,” Norton said.
The first player up has no ceiling. Sama is a freak athlete sporting unreal speed and an innate talent to make big plays.
Sama made a name for himself before he got to Iowa State by dominating the Iowa 5A state championship game. His 372 yards and six touchdowns—both records—helped Southeast Polk earn the title.
Now he’s bringing his talents to Iowa State and has turned heads early on in fall camp. The only other running back that comes close to his speed is Sanders. Even then, Sama may have the edge.
“Faster than Eli [Sanders]? I’ll have to see that race,” Norton said.
The other true freshman, Hansen, is also ready to make waves. Although his run style is much different than Sama’s, it is much needed on the field.
Hansen has been described as a “downhill runner,” by most. Norton made it clear that Hansen has the power to blow through defenders with ease.
Not only that, Scheelhaase believes Hansen can add more big play ability to the room. Scheelhaase called both Sama and Hansen “dynamic playmakers.”
The final player who is projected to have a productive season is Arlon Harris Jr.
Harris is similar to Hansen in the way that he brings power to the field. He is a Swiss Army knife back and excels when running through contact.
“He likes to run through the faces,” Norton said. “He’s the type of guy to do the dirty work.”
Harris is physical in the way he runs. He’s the type of running back to lower his pads and steamroll forward.
He also does anything the coaches ask him to do. If Harris needs to block, he’s going to block. If he needs to fall forward to pick up a first down, he will do just that.
Having a utility back like Harris in the room opens up many doors for the Iowa State offense. Having three fast guys and two tough utility guys will make this team more balanced than it has been in a long time.
So with people stressing about the handful of starters leaving the team, I am confident that the best is yet to come.
With five starting-calibers running backs on the team, it is safe to say that running struggles should be in the rear-view mirror. No matter who takes the first reps with the team as they take on UNI, all five of the running backs have the potential to break out.
Norton expressed his confidence in the running back depth and even said all five could be on the field simultaneously. That’s how strong the room is.
“We’re all starters right now,” Norton said. “All five.”
