RB Stable

[St. Anger]

Seems like we've got 6 guys in the mix at RB for legitimate playing time. 6. I just don't see us going in with a committee of 6 RBs. So what's the most ideal situation? Or what do you think the situation will end up being?

My take:
1: Terrell Newby
2: Mikale Wilbon

3rd Down/Goal line:
Imani Cross

Wouldn't we want Ozigbo and Stevenson to redshirt? And unfortunately, Taylor gets lost in the mix.

 

[beerdawg69]

Don't count out Adam Taylor.

 

[ExxHusker]

If we somehow cause Taylor to transfer it will be a significant loss. Agility coupled with power. His films are as impressive as any of our backs if not more when considering the teams he was going against in high school.

This guy is a freight train that moves like a sports car (although not a fast as Stevenson). We must truly be loaded at running back if he doesn't play. Which is good. Just surprising. Reminds me of Rozier.

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

The way Riley talked about Young in his interview not redshirting, then he mentions Ozigbo and Morgan in the same group makes one want to assume that Oz isn't going to redshirt either.. it wasn't clear though.

I don't think Taylor is going to play.
I think Newby loses the number 1 spot too.
Cross might get a short yardage play here or there, but not sure of that either.

Just a hunch it's going to be Wilbon & Ozigbo this year, maybe Stevenson gets playing time too.

I think the 3 older guys are plain gonna get beat out by the younger ones.

 

[Lincoln100]

Can Taylor not catch? Only way I see ozigbo getting pt in front of Taylor, although I know they said O is not going to redshirt. Also, I am putting Taylor in front of cross in all situations.

 

[CC_Lemming]

I think it's Newby, Wilbon, Cross, and Taylor. No need to burn Ozigbo's redshirt. Stevenson has a game similar to Newby and Wilbon, so I don't see him getting much playing time. Cross and Taylor's contribution will be more role dependent, in goal line and short yardage situations.

In reality injuries will play a factor. Given the amount of capable depth, even minor injuries might keep a guy higher on the depth chart on the bench, giving opportunity to others.

Haven't seen much talk about Taylor, which has me a bit concerned. I was really excited when he committed to us and hope he overcome his injury history and live up to his potential.

 

[ExxHusker]

Newby has had trouble hanging on to the ball (dropped pitches and fumbles). More of a take it outside guy than run inside. Agree with the post above that he could get beat out of #1 position. Maybe Wilborn is the answer. Just surprising how things are playing out. Stevenson seems faster. Wilborn, Ozigbo, Stevenson - what a possibility. I would have said Taylor, Wilborn, Newby going in.

 

[jackie_moon33]

Have heard Stevenson broke a bone in his foot, and if that is the case a RS seems most likely for him.

 

[HuskerNinja]

I wonder how the carries will shake out. I don't believe Newby can carry even 75% of Ameer's workload, so the ball will be spread around. I think there's a real good chance that Wilbon overtakes him. Ozigbo and Stevenson redshirt for sure as you'd expect from frosh most of the time, regardless of how highly rated they are coming in. The jump from HS to college is so big. That leaves Cross and Taylor as change of pace backs. I would have thought Taylor had more game and would have separated himself. It may be that he just needs the opportunities. Cross has quite a bit more game experience, but I think we've seen the extent of his abilities, no slight intended.

In the minds of the coaches, who can you rely on to block right, hang onto the ball, catch passes and hit the hole right?

 

[Meerkat68901]

Newby has had trouble hanging on to the ball (dropped pitches and fumbles). More of a take it outside guy than run inside. Agree with the post above that he could get beat out of #1 position. Maybe Wilborn is the answer. Just surprising how things are playing out. Stevenson seems faster. Wilborn, Ozigbo, Stevenson - what a possibility. I would have said Taylor, Wilborn, Newby going in.

One thing is for certain: Wilborn will not get a single carry this season.

 

[HuskerO58]

One thing is for certain: Wilborn will not get a single carry this season.

 

[HuskerO58]

Ah just got it. Wilbon, not Wilborn....

 

[TheBeav815]

So much noise about how great Taylor is and yet...where is he on the depth chart?

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Down a ways. Same with Darlington at qb. They brought Darlington in at the end of practice today. He threw one ball (a completion) and then they ended practice. I know there have been whispers of kids with attitudes toward the new staff, so it makes you wonder. And no, I have not heard either Taylor or Darlington are any of the babies missing their daddy.

 

[suhnami_rivals]

Don't count out Adam Taylor.

People keep saying this, but from the media reports about practice he hasn't shown up.

One thing we should keep in mind is that a RB is rarely healthy for an entire year. Having 6 now is not a bad thing. Very quickly you can be down to 1 or 2.

 

[jflores]

So much noise about how great Taylor is and yet...where is he on the depth chart?

I love Adam Taylors high school film as much as anyone. And I was excited to hear some people say "watch out for this kid" as much as anyone.

But to date, there has been extremely little smoke about Adam Taylor at the D1 level under Riley. I think the kid has the athleticism and the talent, and I really hope he doesn't end up being a player whose best days were his senior year in high school.

It is somewhat disconcerting though, that a guy who signed 4 days before camp, and another guy we considered a marginal offer in Ozigbo are making noise, especially considering Ozigbo earlier in camp sounded like a candidate to RS as he might need some time to marinate.

Adam's career is still young, but for all the hoopla, I'd really like to hear something positive out of the media on this kid pertaining to practices.

 

[suhnami_rivals]

Have heard Stevenson broke a bone in his foot, and if that is the case a RS seems most likely for him.

Bummer if true.

 

[HuskerLLM]

Taylor has had two significant knee/leg injuries. He may never be what people think he should.

 

[dinglefritz]

So much noise about how great Taylor is and yet...where is he on the depth chart?

Have you actually seen an depth chart? Even if we had one, it might not mean much in 2 weeks as far as the RBs go. I get the impression that some kind words get said sometimes about guys that are either going to redshirt or may not play just to keep their egos stroked a little.

 

[CC_Lemming]

This is also the first year Adam Taylor has been healthy, presumably. I'd be more skeptical of the hype surrounding him if not for his injury history.

 

[leodisflowers]

I think in the grand scheme of things Riley like the more jitterbug backs vs. your power guy. No real intel, just seems like that is what he is favoring right now in practice. I've heard Taylor has made some plays thus far, just not as highly publicized. Still a couple of weeks left. The excitement grows

 

[slwags_rivals53212]

I like the depth and I hope they prove me wrong but I don't see anyone on the roster better than Abdullah Burkhead Helu or Lucky. That means this will be our worst starting running back in about 8 years.

 

[spinner4_rivals42045]

I think in the grand scheme of things Riley like the more jitterbug backs vs. your power guy. No real intel, just seems like that is what he is favoring right now in practice. I've heard Taylor has made some plays thus far, just not as highly publicized. Still a couple of weeks left. The excitement grows

This is the way it appears but Riley's best RB he has coached to date was Steven Jackson (who is a bigger back) and last year Langsdorf had bigger backs @ NY with Jennings and Williams. (I get that he had nothing to do with that but he's use to big backs is what I mean).

The thing that sucks for Taylor and Cross is that they need to be in full pads to shine. They earn their yards by breaking tackles. You don't really get to show that off in half pads and shorts.

 

[otismotis08]

Redshirt where necessary. We're overly blessed at RB, though not sure any of these guys can pick up where AA left off. That would probably be an unreasonable expectation.

 

[dinglefritz]

Redshirt where necessary. We're overly blessed at RB, though not sure any of these guys can pick up where AA left off. That would probably be an unreasonable expectation.

And to think when Frank left we had Corey Ross and.......ummmm well nobody. Corey was a better back than he gets credit for, but man we had no depth. If I remember correctly when Callahan left we had Helu etal. Say what you want about Beck, but IMO he brought in very good skill position talent on offense.

 

[SeaOfRed75]

Question for those that might know.

Is Taylor a legit 6'2"? If so I dont get the power back comments. If he is a legit 6'2" he needs to bulk up a lot more than 210lbs to be a "power" back. Newby is listed at 5'10" 200lbs. 4 inches shorter but only 10lbs lighter? Other backs seem similar.

I would think a "power" back is like Leveon Bell. 6'1" but 240lbs+. Even Marshawn Lynch at 5'11" 215lbs.

So I guess the question is the 6'2" at 210lbs legit?

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

I think what coach really values at the RB position is the additional ability to catch the ball as well as pass protect. If you are a one dimensional player at that position, I don't think you grade out very high in his system. You have to be able to do it all. Run, Catch, & Block.

 

[nothingkevin]

Bummer if true.

Not happy for this to be reason, but a RS yr is what he needs, even tho he could play talent-wise this yr

 

[dockentwo]

I like the depth and I hope they prove me wrong but I don't see anyone on the roster better than Abdullah Burkhead Helu or Lucky. That means this will be our worst starting running back in about 8 years.

Except Wilbon flashes like that on some plays. So our planned starter is not there yet; but we have several others flashing in some situations. This means planned rotations are a good Idea, imo. Lots of top programs; someone used Ala as an example, are using multiple backs.

 

[Stonewall12]

How many out of the 6 are true Fr?

 

[rrthusker]

How many out of the 6 are true Fr?

2