Just over a month ago running backs seemed like an endangered species for BYU Football, now we wonder who the third stringer is.
Going into the Spring Game, it appeared that BYU Football had Lopini Katoa and then a steep drop off as far as running back experience goes. Katoa was the only running back with over 100 career rushing yards and we were wondering if walk on redshirt freshman Tyler Allgeier was going to be the back up.
There is nothing wrong with Allgeier being the backup and if he ends up as the number two guy that would be great for him, but from a fan’s standpoint, you want your backup to have a bit more experience.
Then just over two weeks ago, BYU announced that Rice transfer Emmanuel Esukpa
would transfer to the program. Esukpa said himself he is a “one cut hit the hole” kind of running back which compliments Katoa’s style of running. Suddenly the position group looked like it had a solid core and was going to be okay.
Then we got another surprise.
South Carolina graduate transfer Ty’Son Williams who brings a whole different style of play. Williams is very elusive and quick, something that hasn’t really been a threat since Jamaal Williams left the team. He originally played at North Carolina as a freshman before transferring to South Carolina for the last two seasons.
Perhaps the best part about him is that he can be a receiver out of the backfield. Last season, the Cougars struggled to make their receivers as a dual threat both running and catching the ball. This addition will be a huge help if the Cougars are able to utilize it.
Now with the additions of Williams and Esukpa, the depth chart will probably look a bit like this:
- Ty’Son Williams
- Lopini Katoa
- Emmanuel Esukpa
- Tyler Allegeir OR Kavika Fonua
This team doesn’t at the surface appear to have a Jamaal Williams or Harvey Unga, but it does appear to have plenty of capable backs that can be used in different situations. Any of these five running backs are good enough to be used 10+ times in a game.