2023 Gophers Position Previews: Running Backs

If you can believe it, football is almost here. Seriously. For the third year running, Ski-U-Blog will have previews of every position group entering Minnesota's season. Second on the docket: the running backs.

Likely Starter

Replacing one of the greatest players in the history of a program is not an easy task. But if there is a position where it can be done most seamlessly, it may be running back. As genuinely special as Mohamed Ibrahim was for the Gophers, as many extra yards as he gained through his smarts and his incredible brawn, and as many great runs as he had in a Minnesota uniform, it is not that hard to find someone who can be the engine of an effective rushing attack.

No, the 2023 backfield will not feature one of the best running backs in college football. But after a reload, with a veteran offensive line, and hopefully with more room to run thanks to an expanded passing game, Ibrahim's successors should do the job plenty well enough.

Rather than go straight from Ibrahim to some combination of their underclassmen, the Gophers have sought a proven stopgap. Sean Tyler comes to Minnesota to play just one year after a successful tenure at Western Michigan. Tyler was one of the Broncos' most-used players last season, carrying the ball 209 times and serving as the primary kick returner. He left Kalamazoo with 2,830 career rushing yards.

For much of the 2022 season, Tyler did not get much help from his offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged just 1.6 yards before contact last season, about half as many as he averaged in 2021. Tyler didn't have space to operate.

Tyler's output was more boom-or-bust as a result. Using PFF's data: He ran for 15 fewer 1st downs than in his 2021 season, despite the increased workload, and the amount of his yards that came in 15-yard chunks or greater (breakaway runs) approached half. He had frustrating performances against San José State and Bowling Green, but big runs against Northern Illinois and Central Michigan.

On the rare occasion Tyler got into open space, as seen above, he got to show off how fast he is while keeping his feet when defenders try to take him down by the ankles. This 2021 run at Pitt shows how well he can wriggle out of a difficult spot with a couple of jump cuts and a bit of strength.

He's too small to be a power back, but Tyler can fight through a couple tackles if needed.

If there is a significant concern with his game, it's ball security. Among tailbacks with 100 or more carries last season, Tyler had the fifth-highest fumble rate (2.4 percent, again via PFF). His career mark was much lower going into last season (0.7 percent, which is better than average), but the five fumbles he had in 2022 made a big difference. That is something to consider heading into the season. Of the many Fleckisms, "the ball is the program" is one of the more concrete and important ones.

Whether that proves an issue or it doesn't, for now, it looks like Minnesota has picked up a solid starter for 2023.

Key Backups

Likely to start in 2024 is redshirt freshman Zach Evans. The North Texas native only got a few carries against Northwestern last year but looked capable. He runs with great power and balance, as well as the vision and quick feet to find a cutback lane or squeeze through tight spaces. In the spring game, he showed off his explosiveness as well.

Evans may not have quite the speed to make sure nobody catches up to him, since he wasn't quite walking into the end zone at the end, but he has plenty enough burst to be a source of big plays. Based on how he looked in the spring, Evans' frame is probably another year away from being able to brush off tackles like he did as a high schooler. He looks a little slight next to Big Ten defenders, even at an official weight of 205 pounds. Most of the physical tools are there, though, as well as the intelligence, for him to contribute right now. Evans could be one of the season's breakout players.

Bryce Williams has been with the Gophers long enough to probably deserve a designated parking spot with his name on it outside the football building. Not many players, especially at a skill position, stay in such a minor role at one place for six years. But Williams has been a yeoman for the program since helping to pick up some of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks' missing carries in 2018. To put that into perspective: Robb Smith was the team's defensive coordinator when Williams debuted. Mark Dayton was still governor of Minnesota. The Australian band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard has released 11 albums since then. Williams feels like a permanent fixture of the program at this point.

He is not a flashy player, of course. He cycles into the game often on passing downs, having made 11 catches last year (the most at his position), and serves a valuable role in pass protection. With the ball in his hands, Williams is adequate, rarely fumbling but also not breaking many tackles or going off on any big runs. He is here to do a job: to spell the more productive backs on the team, and to protect the players behind him on the depth chart who may not be ready for the field. He does that job just as well as it needs to be done.

Potential Rotation Options

An increased role on defense, or perhaps some tactical tweaks with Matt Simon and Greg Harbaugh becoming co-coordinators, could mean that Derik LeCaptain is no longer the team's fullback. However, he is unlikely to start at his normal position, so his days in the backfield may not be done yet. He's done a fine job as a blocker, and as he showed two years ago, LeCaptain can probably still carry a ball in a pinch.

Notables Unlikely to Contribute

I'm guessing that Darius Taylor will redshirt, but man, his high school tape is a lot of fun. His acceleration out of the backfield and top-end speed are both unreal. He can change directions at speed, and he's got great balance and even some receiving skills, but the main attraction is Taylor's explosion. He and Evans should complement each other well in next year's backfield. If there's an injury or a blowout, we may see Taylor put it to use this fall.

The other scholarship tailback from this freshman class, Marquese Williams, more closely resembles the Gophers' usual type. He has the burst to play in the Big Ten, but I don't expect he'll be the same kind of home run hitter as Taylor. Williams' highlights show a smart and agile slasher who can find holes, make guys miss, and bounce off weak tackles. That's an archetype that has served Minnesota well.

Jordan Nubin has earned some shoutouts from Fleck and a handful of late-game carries. If he ever factors into the rotation, it won't be this year unless the Great Running Back Emergency of 2021 repeats itself. A couple other walk-ons would be available in reserve as well.