BYU Football: Position Preview – Running Backs
By Ron Jensen
The Darkhorse
Even though Riley Burt (6’1, 215) is beginning his junior year for BYU football, he’s a mystery. Not a soul really knows what he can do. Fact is, we just haven’t seen enough of him to really know just how good he is.
Burt has something that the other backs don’t – break-away speed. At Box Elder High, he once ran a 10.8 second 100-meter dash for the Bees track team. We’ve seen glimpses of his talents during his career, but to me it’s obvious that if he gets a crack of daylight, he’s going to the house.
He shows flashes of former Cougar great Curtis Brown, in the explosive nature of his abilities. Like Brown, if he gets into the second level of the defense, he’s most likely taking the ball to the end zone.
His path seems to mirror that of Adam Hine’s, in the fact that he just hasn’t had many chances to show his stuff at the beginning of his career. Once he does, look out, because I think it will be clear who the Cougars’ best option at running back will be.
The Fullbacks
Senior Brayden El-Bakri (6’0, 240) will lead the way here. And though he gets a few short runs and passes occasionally, his role will mostly entail lead-blocking for the tailbacks, and assisting the offensive line with pass protection. In both cases, Cougar Nation should be at ease, because he’s good at what he does.
Kyle Griffitts (6’3, 230, So) will serve as his back-up. Although not as seasoned as El-Bakri, Griffitts shows that he’s capable of manning this spot as well.