Patience is a bitter plant, but its fruit is sweet.
– Ancient Chinese Proverb
Parker Jenkins (HOU)
The new staff has come from Tulane, where they previously had Makhi Hughes and Tyjae Spears go over 1,000 yards and 200 carries. It’s unclear that Jenkins will be RB1, but he feels like the most likely name on Houston to be the volume pig if there is one this year. Returning OL snaps: 49%.
Rickey Hunt (Ohio)
Hunt had a monster Bowl Game performance last December, rushing 17 times for 115 yards and four scores, plus an additional score on one reception for 18 yards. It was a coming-out party for Hunt in lieu of Sieh Bangura. Last year’s RB1B Nolan McCormick returns, which prevents me from placing Hunter higher in my rankings. Returning OL snaps: 62%.
Braedon Sloan (Ball St.)
Sloan transfers in after being a 1000+ yard RB in rushing/receiving for FCS program EKU in the last two seasons. The Ball St. RB1 is historically a player who gets leaned on heavily. Since Sloan wasn’t there in the spring (he announced transfer in May), it’s tough to say exactly where he is on the pecking order. I like his profile and love the upside with a late-round shot. His receiving usage, in particular, makes him an amazing potential sleeper. Returning OL snaps: 38%.
Michael Benefield (Kennesaw St.)
Benefield finished last year in the FCS with four straight 100-yard games. Details are sparse out of the Owls’ camp, so I just don’t know what to make of the backfield yet. Given what we saw from the two programs that joined the FBS last year (Sam Houston and Jacksonville State), he’s probably worth a shot.
Marcus Carroll (MISZ)
Carroll’s star has dropped dramatically since the conclusion of his stellar 2023 campaign. The initial move to Mizzou was not a terrible one in itself; however, with former App State RB Nate Noel announcing his move to Missouri a few weeks later, this situation reeks of a committee. Still, this is an elite system, and Carroll comes in as a former SOAP. Returning OL snaps: 59.4%.
Kobe Pace (UVA)
Pace followed his former coach from Clemson and is now the undisputed RB1 on the depth chart for a guy who had Travis Etienne go over 1,000 yards three straight seasons with the Tigers. He’s worth a shot. Returning OL snaps: 99.5%.
Rodney Hammond (Pitt)
Don’t forget about Hammy. He had a down season in 2023, but he returns for another swing at being the alpha pig in 2024, and this time he might connect. Returning OL snaps: 70.5%.
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