BYU football: Three bold backfield predictions

BYU football is tasked with replacing Jamaal Williams. That won’t be an easy thing to do, but there’s still plenty of talent in Provo.

BYU football’s all-time leading rusher is suiting up in Green Bay. That leaves a massive hole for the Cougars, and all offseason the narrative has been that it will be a backfield by committee approach.

That makes sense, because the Cougars have a number of guys that are talented, but have limited experience.

If you talk to Squally Canada, he’d tell you the job is his. Again, that’s totally understandable. Canada filled in admirably for Williams against Boise State, tallying 88 yards on 21 carries. On the season, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry.

But I don’t think it will be his backfield this season, because…

Ula Tolutau will be the No. 1 back

Canada will likely be the No. 1 to start the season, but I don’t think it will take long for Tolutau to take the lion’s share of reps.

Even with all the talk of a backfield by committee, Tolutau does too much well to not take command. Riley Burt has the best speed, Canada is the shiftiest, Trey Dye is the best receiver – but Tolutau does a number of things well.

In spring ball he was turning heads with his soft hands and excellent route running. Add that to his massive frame and power running style, and you’ve got yourself a No. 1 back. In particular, I think the former Wisconsin commit will come in handy against LSU, Utah and the Badgers – he can truck still defenders.

I expect Tolutau to get around 14-17 carries per game by season’s end. If he averages four yards per carry, he’ll finish around 800 yards. Considering he’ll also be the goal-line back, he’ll likely have at least eight touchdowns too. That’s a heck of a year for a true freshman.