Position Preview | Running Backs
| POSITIONAL PREVIEWS |
| Running Backs |
| RUNNING BACKS | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHO’S BACK? | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | YEAR | |||||||||||||
| 1 Mark Walton | 5-9 | 205 | So. | |||||||||||||
| 2 Joseph Yearby | 5-9 | 200 | Jr. | |||||||||||||
| 7 Gus Edwards | 6-1 | 230 | RJr. | |||||||||||||
| 30 Kevin Carroll | 5-11 | 222 | Sr. | |||||||||||||
| 32 Trayone Gray | 6-2 | 225 | Jr. | |||||||||||||
| 40 Gage Batten | 6-1 | 240 | Sr. | |||||||||||||
| 43 TJ Callan | 6-1 | 215 | So. | |||||||||||||
| 44 Cory Giordano | 6-1 | 232 | RFr. | |||||||||||||
| WHO’S NEW? | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | YEAR | |||||||||||||
| 24 Travis Homer | 5-11 | 200 | Fr. | |||||||||||||
| 28 Crispian Atkins | 5-9 | 195 | So. | |||||||||||||
| 34 Zackary Lawler | 5-10 | 225 | So. | |||||||||||||
| 36 Marquez Williams | 6-1 | 280 | RSo. | |||||||||||||
| 37 Cesar Castillo | 6-2 | 245 | So. | |||||||||||||
| 39 Gian Piero Ragonesi | 6-0 | 270 | Jr. | |||||||||||||
| RETURNING LEADERS | |
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| Joseph Yearby | Mark Walton |
| STATISTICS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | LG | AVG/G | ||||||
| J. Yearby | 13 | 205 | 1002 | 4.9 | 6 | 41 | 77.1 | |||||
| M. Walton | 13 | 130 | 461 | 3.5 | 9 | 27 | 35.5 | |||||
| T. Gray | 5 | 23 | 145 | 6.3 | 2 | 33 | 29.0 | |||||
RUNNING BACKS BY THE NUMBERS
5- Joseph Yearby enters 2016 with five career 100-yard rushing games. His next 100-yard rushing game would tie him for 10th all-time in Miami history.
10- As a freshman in 2015, running back Mark Walton totaled 10 touchdowns (nine rushing and one receiving). His 10 scores were tied for second by a UM freshman since 2000.
1,608 – As a trio, Joseph Yearby, Mark Walton and Trayone Gray combined for a net rushing of 1,608 yards. The three also combined for 17 rushing touchdowns in 2015.
THINGS TO KNOW
- Yearby was one of four players in 2015 that started in every game. Serving as the team’s starting running back, he totaled a team-leading 1,275 all-purpose. Following the year, the Miami, Fla., native was named All-ACC third team by the coaches and honorable mention by ACSMA.
- Prior to the 2016 season, the Maxwell Football Club has selected University of Miami running back Joe Yearby as a member of the 80th annual Maxwell Award watch list.
- Mark Walton enjoyed an impressive first season with the Hurricanes, playing in all 13 games and finishing second behind Yearby in total rushing yards (461). Walton also led the Canes with nine rushing touchdowns.
- Trayone Gray scored his first career touchdown in the 2015 season opener against Bethune Cookman. Gray finished that game rushing for 77 yards on eight carries, averaging 9.6 yards per carry.
- Miami has a group of players competing at fullback, including senior Gage Batten and transfer Marquez Williams. The Hurricanes will look to develop the fullback position heading into the 2016 season.
- In 2016, Miami’s running backs will be under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Prior to Miami, Brown has worked with several premier college backs, including a Heisman Trophy runner-up.
TWEETABLES
- With the return of Gus Edwards in 2016, the Canes backfield looks to improve upon their combined 731 rushing yards in ACC play from 2015.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We just want more competition. I think we have some talented guys back there that can help us win. They just have to be consistent. There are very few guys in the room right now that I feel 100 percent good about that can compete every day. There is a ton of talent there, but there has to be a huge jump when it comes to mental and physical toughness. I think all those guys are doing a good job competing, but every day I just want to see improvement.” – Miami offensive coordinator and running backs coach Thomas Brown
“Marquez [Williams] came in as a very physical presence. He has a lot to learn from the overall offensive standpoint, but he is a big, powerful human being and that’s why we brought him here. I want to see guys compete at that spot, as well. We need as many fullbacks as we can. That’s a very violent position and unfortunately guys can go down very quickly. I hope they all can stay healthy, but as many guys that we can have at that fullback spot will only help make you more versatile from an offensive standpoint.” – Miami offensive coordinator and running backs coach Thomas Brown
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