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Predicting The Depth Chart: 2015 BYU Running Backs

By Jeff Hansen

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Over the next few days Lawless Republic will be taking an in depth look at the 2015 roster and trying our best to predict what the depth chart will look like on September 5 when the Cougars travel to Lincoln. Obviously, we can’t predict new injuries or suspensions or anything like that so we’re not going to speculate or consider anything like that. Existing injuries (like Jamaal Williams’) will be taken into consideration. We start our depth chart predictions by taking an in depth look at the BYU running backs.

Dec 22, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Algernon Brown (24) stiff arms Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Terry Redden (56) during the third quarter in the Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park. Memphis won 55-48 in a double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Starter- Algernon Brown

I tried to type  Jamaal Williams but my keyboard wouldn’t let me. I wanted to put Swag Daddy as the started against Nebraska but it just couldn’t be done. Williams just had surgery to repair a severely damaged knee in November and in just 10 months I’m tempted to put him as the started for the first game? As badly as I want to, I just can’t do it.

Algie Brown will be and should be the starter while Williams recovers. In a different era of BYU football he could have developed into somebody like Harvey Unga. He runs hard and likes contact. He’s a powerful player and gets yards after contact on seemingly every carry. Not only that, Brown is probably the best running back on the BYU roster when it comes to catching passes out of the backfield.

Brown is not Williams. The offense is much better when Williams is playing. But Brown is still a very good player that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. As long as Taysom Hill is the starter at quarterback teams will focus on stopping him from beating them on the ground and holes will be open for Brown. I expect he will do very early on this season.

2. The ‘Other’ Guy- Jamaal Williams

I reserve the right to admit that I’m dead wrong if Williams still isn’t taking reps in Fall Camp but I think that he’ll be ready to ease back into playing time. I don’t think he’s going to be ready for 20-25 carries like he’d like to be but I do think that he’ll be ready to take on a few carries and take a shot at picking up some yards. Frankly, I think a rehabbing Williams is better than a healthy Adam Hine.

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Williams will eventually work his way back into the starter role and will earn his 20-25 carries a game again. He’s a special talent and BYU is lucky to have him for one more year. He’ll go on and break Harvey Unga’s record and become the all-time leading rusher in BYU history. Even if he’s hurt for multiple games to start the season I think he breaks the record. He’s just that good. Enjoy watching him for one more year, BYU fans. We’ll miss a guy like Jamaal Williams.

Nov 23, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; BYU Cougars running back Jamaal Williams (21) carries the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback KeiVarae Russell (6) defends in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

3. Won’t Get Many Carries But He’ll Pick Up Some Grass Stains- Charles West

I don’t know what’s going to happen with West’s eligibility. There are obviously some publicized issues out there but I’m not going to speculate and, as was stated earlier, I’m going to act as if West is coming into camp and will compete like every other player this summer.

If West is on the roster and is eligible then he will see time immediately. He’s the lighting to all of the thunder backs that are on the BYU football team. He’s fast and elusive. He can stay on his feet after contact and he’s a threat to bust a big run every time he touches the ball. I think that West is going to be great.

I don’t know about all of the off the field rumors and that’s not my job to know. As a football fan I want to see BYU win every game and West is the kind of player that certainly helps the chances of starting off strong during this brutal 2015 schedule. If he’s there then he’ll play.

4. The Safety Net- Adam Hine

I feel like I’ve been waiting for 10 years for Hine to have the breakout season like most BYU fans thought he would. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened. We’ll hear Hine’s name during Fall Camp and we may get our hopes up again, but I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t except a ton out of Hine and will be pleasantly surprised if I’m wrong.

That said, Hine will make an impact on kick returns like he has the last couple of seasons. I also think that he’s going to get some looks in the red zone due to his size and blocking ability. I don’t think he’ll see significant reps but I don’t think it’s fair to write him completely off yet. He’ll have chances.

Nov 29, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Adam Hine (28) carries the ball on a kick off return against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

5. The David Foote- Nate Carter

David Foote was one of the most exciting running backs to watch at BYU in a really long time.  He would come in after the game was over and he always bust out a couple of big runs. Foot was a blast to watch.

Nate Carter will be this year’s David Foote. He’ll come in after the game has been wrapped up and bust out some big runs. I have to hand it to Carter, he doesn’t have the size, speed or athleticism as the guys ahead of him do but he is one of the hardest workers on the team and always finds a way to make plays. It’s exciting to watch.

I don’t think we can expect Carter to ever make that significant of an impact in a close game but he is intriguing enough during the limited reps that he gets that he very well could be a hidden gem for this offense. I doubt it but you never know. I will always cheer for Carter when he gets the ball.

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