2019 Utah State Football Preseason Preview: Running Back

Post by **aggies22** » July 3rd, 2019, 10:49 am

It's that time of year again! Here is my second installment of the preseason previews. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments on either board! Thanks again for reading!!

https://247sports.com/college/utah-stat ... 133401123/

AggieFBObsession · Post by **AggieFBObsession** » July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am

We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.

YoungBloodAggie · Post by **YoungBloodAggie** » July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.

Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....

AggieFBObsession · Post by **AggieFBObsession** » July 3rd, 2019, 11:07 am

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....

We've seen it go both ways even more highly touted jc guys

captain68 · Post by **captain68** » July 3rd, 2019, 11:08 am

While I think Thompson was a great player last year, I honestly don't think we will be seeing that much of a drop off when it comes to skill in the backfield. Bright was awesome last year, and I believe he will have another banner year, eventually making it on an NFL roster as a result. I also think that Burt and Warren will see some significant playing time as well. I have really liked how we have been able to have a running game by committee over the past couple years, and not count on just one player. I also think that having effective running backs will keep defenses honest, thus opening things up for Love and the passing game. Once again, the thing that will determine if we have a good offense or an amazing offense will be the offensive line. I feel as though we have enough talent in the backfield that good things will happen, but if we have a line that can open holes and protect Love it will be a magical season.

Madmartigan · Post by **Madmartigan** » July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....

Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.

USU78 · Post by **USU78** » July 3rd, 2019, 12:45 pm

captain68 wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:08 am
Once again, the thing that will determine if we have a good offense or an amazing offense will be the offensive line. I feel as though we have enough talent in the backfield that good things will happen, but if we have a line that can open holes and protect Love it will be a magical season.

Offensive lines can be reasonably good, and look terrible, depending upon execution and talent in the people behind them. You put Tom Ponich under center behind last year's USU line, and he may be marginally better, but he's still Tom Ponich. Put Calvillo behind Ponich's line, and that line looks a whole lot better, because he's still Calvillo.

Jjoey53 · Post by **Jjoey53** » July 3rd, 2019, 1:38 pm

I met Walker a while back, seems like a great kid. What does his playing time look like?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Post by **aggies22** » July 3rd, 2019, 1:56 pm

Jjoey53 wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 1:38 pm
I met Walker a while back, seems like a great kid. What does his playing time look like?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If the depth chart following spring ball holds true, he's likely the 4th or 5th back.

Post by **GeoAg** » July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.

You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith

Post by **aggies22** » July 4th, 2019, 7:26 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.

Coach Sanford really prefers RBs that are comparable to what Bright can do. However, Coach Andersen loves his Utah kids and with Jaylen Warren still available, he was too good to pass up.

hipsterdoofus21 · Post by **hipsterdoofus21** » July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith

I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.

Post by **aggies22** » July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.

Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.

oleblu111 · Post by **oleblu111** » July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.

Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.

Madmartigan · Post by **Madmartigan** » July 4th, 2019, 12:25 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.
Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.

He was very durable. Adequate speed. Good blocker and could catch balls out of the back field. He and the defense really carried us his senior year when Chuckie went down.

He wasn’t appreciated by most because he followed Turbin, Smith, and KW, but he was a very good player for us.

Post by **aggies22** » July 4th, 2019, 1:13 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:25 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.
Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.
He was very durable. Adequate speed. Good blocker and could catch balls out of the back field. He and the defense really carried us his senior year when Chuckie went down.

He wasn’t appreciated by most because he followed Turbin, Smith, and KW, but he was a very good player for us.

I'm not going to stat check but I seem to remember Joey D running for 1,300 yards or so. He did a great job, especially after Joe Hill went down.

Madmartigan · Post by **Madmartigan** » July 4th, 2019, 2:49 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 1:13 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:25 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.
Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.
He was very durable. Adequate speed. Good blocker and could catch balls out of the back field. He and the defense really carried us his senior year when Chuckie went down.

He wasn’t appreciated by most because he followed Turbin, Smith, and KW, but he was a very good player for us.
I'm not going to stat check but I seem to remember Joey D running for 1,300 yards or so. He did a great job, especially after Joe Hill went down.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ino-1.html

Post by **aggies22** » July 4th, 2019, 3:03 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 2:49 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 1:13 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:25 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.
Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.
He was very durable. Adequate speed. Good blocker and could catch balls out of the back field. He and the defense really carried us his senior year when Chuckie went down.

He wasn’t appreciated by most because he followed Turbin, Smith, and KW, but he was a very good player for us.
I'm not going to stat check but I seem to remember Joey D running for 1,300 yards or so. He did a great job, especially after Joe Hill went down.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ino-1.html

I was close! Thanks for posting that!

oleblu111 · Post by **oleblu111** » July 4th, 2019, 4:10 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 3:03 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 2:49 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 1:13 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:25 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.
Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.
He was very durable. Adequate speed. Good blocker and could catch balls out of the back field. He and the defense really carried us his senior year when Chuckie went down.

He wasn’t appreciated by most because he followed Turbin, Smith, and KW, but he was a very good player for us.
I'm not going to stat check but I seem to remember Joey D running for 1,300 yards or so. He did a great job, especially after Joe Hill went down.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ino-1.html
I was close! Thanks for posting that!

He was the kind of back that I loved to block for he always got yardage after first contact, hw could get that tough yard when needed.

USU78 · Post by **USU78** » July 4th, 2019, 6:21 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 4:10 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 3:03 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 2:49 pm

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 1:13 pm

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:25 pm

oleblu111 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:26 am

aggies22 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 11:18 am

hipsterdoofus21 wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 9:27 am

GeoAg wrote: ↑
July 4th, 2019, 12:38 am

Madmartigan wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 12:24 pm

YoungBloodAggie wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:04 am

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 11:02 am
We're riding Warren a lot for contribution. I realize that Bright can carry a big load, but Warren will have to really step up. It's one thing to be good at the jc level and quite another at the mwc level.
Yeah and we don't have any recent examples of guys that made a smooth transition from JuCo either....
Darwin Thompson and Michael Smith are the most recent examples of a JC back contributing well. I think Warren will be good. 22, curious what kind of back Sanford likes. It seems Warren would be a more punishing type of runner to contrast to Bright's explosive style.
You forgot Mays and Dimartino. Both were solid JC backs for us that have come through after Smith
I thought I remember Dimartino coming in as a frosh but yeah, Mays came to mind for me as well.
Joey D was definitely a JuCo kid.
Yes Joey Demartino was a J.C. back I think he would do very well in this offense he was the type of back I really like.
He was very durable. Adequate speed. Good blocker and could catch balls out of the back field. He and the defense really carried us his senior year when Chuckie went down.

He wasn’t appreciated by most because he followed Turbin, Smith, and KW, but he was a very good player for us.
I'm not going to stat check but I seem to remember Joey D running for 1,300 yards or so. He did a great job, especially after Joe Hill went down.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ino-1.html
I was close! Thanks for posting that!
He was the kind of back that I loved to block for he always got yardage after first contact, hw could get that tough yard when needed.

Yup. He was the kind of guy who made mediocre linemen look good, and good linemen look great.

sdiggety · Post by **sdiggety** » July 4th, 2019, 6:58 pm

I was worried when DTrain declared - but I'm glad we have some great depth in this position. I think Gary likes to rotate either 2 or 3 main guys into this position. Enoch definitely did turn heads in spring ball, WOW that dude looked great. I had no idea who he was but I sure did after that. Tough, physical running back.

Nice to have speed backs - Bright, and Burt- As well as some power backs - Warren and Nawahine to attack different kinds of defenses.

No one seems to be talking about Burt anywhere but I think the dude might surprise people especially if he gets the chance to run all over his old team.

No matter who fills out this depth chart as it evolves, I think we are going to be wowed by some of the running back play.

Post by **aggies22** » July 4th, 2019, 9:02 pm

I do know that the parents of Enoch Nawahine would like to see him redshirt.

AggieFBObsession · Post by **AggieFBObsession** » July 5th, 2019, 1:37 pm

I'm sure many of you remember turbins turf toe. RBs get injured frequently. This position is going to need Warren to really step up.

Post by **aggies22** » July 5th, 2019, 3:00 pm

AggieFBObsession wrote: ↑
July 5th, 2019, 1:37 pm
I'm sure many of you remember turbins turf toe. RBs get injured frequently. This position is going to need Warren to really step up.

Mike Smith had to redshirt because of turf toe as well.

Post by **GeoAg** » July 5th, 2019, 4:02 pm

I believe we will all be pleasantly surprised by Warren and Burt.

GameFAQSAggie · Post by **GameFAQSAggie** » July 6th, 2019, 8:32 am

Who can forget Joey D on that last drive in the Poinsettia Bowl.

NVAggie · Post by **NVAggie** » July 8th, 2019, 9:09 am

I was happy to watch Joey D have a wonderful last game in front of his hometown crowd.

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