NC State Football Position Preview: Running Backs
Debatably the largest question mark for the Wolfpack offense this coming season is the running back situation. Obviously it is not ideal to lose the team’s two leading rushers over multiple seasons all at once to the NFL draft, however that does not mean there aren’t players on the roster that can fill those vacancies. Zonovan “Bam” Knight and Ricky Person have been a reliable one-two punch for the offense over the past two years but both men have said their goodbyes to the program and have turned towards professional football. With Bam Knight expecting to hear his name called over the three day event in late April, one could argue that his presence will be missed more through special teams and his knack for finding open holes through kick returns. While that will be discussed in a later preview, not all is doom and gloom with the returning players in the backfield as well as some incoming recruits.
Is this the year that Jordan Houston is finally let off the leash? For three years we have seen brief snippets of his ability as an open field and perimeter back, spelling Knight and Person. It was no surprise to see his carries drop from 101 attempts in 2019 to as low as 20 this past season as the aforementioned duo needed all of the looks that they can get. But with the Junior from Waldorf, Maryland now donning the most experience in the running back room, the majority of the carries this season will certainly be his to take. While Houston is not the biggest player in the Pack’s backfield, he presents a toolset that State has not seen in some time. The scat-back certainly has the speed and agility to create some magic in open spaces; but he has also shown that he can rely on his vision when running in between the tackles to get into the secondary. It will be interesting to see how OC Tim Beck utilizes Houston, as he is at his best when in the open field. And while not at a very large sample size, Houston has shown flashes in the passing game, especially through dump off looks and screen plays; look for him to become a more friendly target for QB Devin Leary.
A player that many are excited to finally see is Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. I do not believe anyone has been talked about with more praise from the coaching staff over the past year than Sumo. While the Willingboro, New Jersey native was a top-25 recruit out of his home state, him joining the Wolfpack flew slightly under the radar. But it was not long after he arrived on campus that he gained the attention from not only the coaching staff but his teammates as well. The RS Freshman appeared in six games last season through special teams, but he is certainly in the running to earn some of the carries that will be given up by the duo of Person and Knight. The offensive coaching staff has complemented his ability as a downhill runner in addition to not only his skills in the passing game but in pass-protection as well. If there was to be a new one-two punch emerge in this NC State backfield, look for it to be that of Jordan Houston and Demie Sumo.
Another running back that has had a lot of good things said about them is RS Sophomore Delbert Mimms III. Mimms has carved out a very important role for himself on special teams over the past two seasons, but look for him to be even hungrier this year. While he is the biggest of the running back core, he was touted by his high school coaches at B. Davis High in Indianapolis for being able to find and squeeze through smaller holes of the line. While he most likely won’t lead the team in carries this coming year, do not be surprised if he carves out a decent role from himself in the offense.
Another trio of running backs will build up the reserve depth at the position: True Freshman Michael Allen, RS Sophomore Demarcus Jones II and RS Freshman Micah Crowell. Allen, while probably boasting the best speed out of the rest of the backs, will most likely redshirt during his first year on campus to allow him to worry about learning the offense and building his body up to the liking of Strength/Conditioning Coach ‘Thunder’ Burnette. The J.H. Rose High alumni will be a player to watch in the years to come. Jones, another special teams contributor, has been with the program as long as Houston has however he has not seen any snaps on the offensive side of the ball yet. Look for him to become a leader on the special teams front, especially if Delbert Mimms transitions to a larger role in the offense. Crowell, a native of Winston Salem, North Carolina, transitioned this offseason into the running back room from the wide receiving core. Coach Doeren is not afraid to encourage position changes with players he believes can be more successful elsewhere on the field, and that looks to be the case here. I wouldn’t plan on seeing him in the backfield this season though, as he continues to rehab leg injuries that have plagued him since graduating East Forsyth High School.
1- Jordan Houston looks to begin the year as the starter and take the majority of carries as the leader of the backs. While the backfield will most likely become a two-headed monster by the end of the season, he will be leaned on heavily in the beginning as the younger players get more experience in games and on the practice field.
2- Demie Sumo-Karngbaye will most likely be the first back off the bench to spell Houston and will look to serve as the between-the-tackles back. Knowing how much Coach Tim Beck favors the outside zone stretch plays, Sumo could potentially end up being the biggest beneficiary in the backfield.
3- Delbert Mimms III has taken advantage of every opportunity he has been given. Carving out a leading role for special teams, do not be surprised if that has also translated to some genuine snaps on the offense this season. He looks to be much more than a garbage time tailback.
4- Michael Allen OR Demarcus Jones II OR Micah Crowell
One of the few groups on the team garnering concerns is the running backs, and with good reason. Losing Bam Knight is losing a bell-cow back with excellent shiftiness that was on full display especially during kickoff returns. And while the team will also miss the absolute jolt of energy and leadership that Ricky Person brought to the table, not all is lost. Jordan Houston and company have waited very patiently for their opportunity and it has finally come; and they have certainly earned it. Now what will they be able to do with it?
