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We continue our position by position preview with the other guys in the backfield.

Charleston Southern

Christian Reyes 245 Rushes 1245 Yards 9 TD (2013 Big South Conference First Team)
Mike Holloway 40 Rushes 421 Yards 1 TD

Reyes was a breakout star for Charleston Southern last year, taking the starting tailback position from 2012 Starter Teddy Allen, and finishing as the first 1,000+ yard rusher for the Bucs in...in recent memory (CSUBUCDAD help me out with that one). Holloway and Ben Robinson give CSU a pair of freshmen who are very capable to take the load after Reyes graduates following the 2014 season.

Coastal Carolina

DeAngelo Henderson 82 Rushes 599 Yards 6 TD
Zach Silverberg 28 Rushes 124 Yards 1 TD

Henderson has some big cleats to fill, taking over for 2013 Offensive Player of the Year Taliaferro, who became the seconnd CCU back to be drafted into the NFL (preparing for training camp with the Baltimore Ravens). He showed flashes of what Chanticleer fans can expect last season as the backup, and while not as big, I don't see a ton of dropoff at the position. Silverberg, who got most of his carries in garbage time, is of a similar build and should serve as a capable #2, although he will be pushed by redshirt freshman Osharmar Abercrombie.

Gardner-Webb

Juanne Blount 257 Rushes 1040 Yards 9 TD (2013 Big South All Conference Second Team)
J.J. Hubbard 63 Rushes 269 Yards 2 TD

Blount, who burst onto the scene as a freshman, continued to cement his place as the Runninest of the Runnin Bulldogs, finishing with a workhorse-like 257 carries, more than double the total of the next three backs COMBINED, on the way to second team all-conference honors, tying for third in TDs with CSU's Reyes. Hubbard, who Liberty fans remember as the "Wildcat" running back from the 2012 game in Lynchburg, was "best of the rest, finishing with the second most carries among the backs and third most overall. They give GWU a very good 1-2 combination although teams planned well for Blount, which probably affected his numbers late in the season.

Liberty

Desmond Rice 186 Rushes 967 Yards 16 TDs (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team)
DJ Abnar 72 Rushes 411 Yards 6 TD

Liberty was thrown into a turmoil at the RB position before the spring even wrapped up, as Rice, who narrowly missed giving Liberty back to back 1000 yard rushers for the first time since Rashad Jennings had three straight 1000 yard seasons from 2006-2008, injured his knee in spring practice and will miss the entire 2014 season. Abnar, who was a lightning quick runner as a freshman in 2012, will be tasked with taking more of the rushing load for the Flames, with the committee of Austin Kaigler, redshirt freshman Todd Macon and LCA product Carrington Mosley battling for the backup position. Joshua Smith, the other freshman in the Flames' 2013 recruiting class, will probably take a role similar to Abnar, serving as a change of pace back and probably will also be factored into the kick return game to take advantage of his speed.

Monmouth

Kwabena "KB" Asante 97 Rushes 469 Yards 4 TD
Danny Agyeman 9 Rushes 30 Yards 0 TD

Asante is the top returner for the Hawks, who lose Julian Hayes after he was dismissed from the team following the 2013 season. Agyeman, who appeared mostly in garbage time, will probably serve as the backup with four underclassmen on the roster.

Presbyterian

Blake Roberts 52 Rushes 322 Yards 1 TD
LaQua Mayes 71 Rushes 320 Yards 3 TD

The Blue Hose, who lost their top rusher in DaMarcus Rouse to graduation, found a pleasant surprise in Roberts, who finished as the second leading rusher on the team and JUCO transfer Mayes, who give them a balanced 1-2 punch despite not having massive numbers behind Rouse, who was the workhorse for PC in the backfield. My biggest concern here is that if the offensive line can't step up and open holes for the two, as well as protect the QB, they will have to spend more time in the backfield in pass protection, which will make for a one dimensional offense down in Clinton

Team Rankings

1. Coastal Carolina
2. Charleston Southern
3. Gardner-Webb
4. Liberty
5. Monmouth
6. Presbyterian

Individual Rankings

1. Christian Reyes, CSU
2. DeAngelo Henderson, CCU
3. Juanne Blount, GWU
4. DJ Abnar, LU
5. KB Asante, MU
6. Blake Roberts, PC
7. Mike Holloway, CSU
8. LaQua Mayes, PC
9. JJ Hubbard, GWU
10. Desmond Rice, LU*

*Rice will miss the 2014 season due to injury so I automatically put him last in my preseason rankings.

Reyes shattered the previous rushing record at CSU by nearly 500 yards and is the first ever 1000+ rushing in the program.

bjtheflamesfan wrote: Coastal Carolina

DeAngelo Henderson 82 Rushes 599 Yards 6 TD
Zach Silverberg 28 Rushes 124 Yards 1 TD

Henderson has some big cleats to fill, taking over for 2013 Offensive Player of the Year Taliaferro, who became the seconnd CCU back to be drafted into the NFL (preparing for training camp with the Baltimore Ravens). He showed flashes of what Chanticleer fans can expect last season as the backup, and while not as big, I don't see a ton of dropoff at the position. Silverberg, who got most of his carries in garbage time, is of a similar build and should serve as a capable #2, although he will be pushed by redshirt freshman Osharmar Abercrombie.

And thank GOD that guy is gone.

AZGrizFan wrote:

bjtheflamesfan wrote: Coastal Carolina

DeAngelo Henderson 82 Rushes 599 Yards 6 TD
Zach Silverberg 28 Rushes 124 Yards 1 TD

Henderson has some big cleats to fill, taking over for 2013 Offensive Player of the Year Taliaferro, who became the seconnd CCU back to be drafted into the NFL (preparing for training camp with the Baltimore Ravens). He showed flashes of what Chanticleer fans can expect last season as the backup, and while not as big, I don't see a ton of dropoff at the position. Silverberg, who got most of his carries in garbage time, is of a similar build and should serve as a capable #2, although he will be pushed by redshirt freshman Osharmar Abercrombie.

And thank GOD that guy is gone.

I bet you are.

Like I said in the QB thread, Reyes is a beast. I'm not looking forward to our game this year.

The only reason CSU beat Coastal last season was because Taliaferro went down with an injury right before the half. Dude is a load.

CSUBUCDAD wrote:The only reason CSU beat Coastal last season was because Taliaferro went down with an injury right before the half. Dude is a load.

WAS. WAS, dammit.

I think if Des Rice had not injured himself it would have been a three horse race for the two first team spots on all conference between him, Reyes and Blount

Just received word that Rouse will be back for PC in 2014 so I will slot him into the position I had Blake Roberts later