Louisiana Tech will hold its third spring practice Monday afternoon. Throughout the spring we will take a look at some of the biggest storylines surrounding the 2018 season.
Louisiana Tech has had a 1,000 yard rusher for four consecutive seasons. It has become a norm in Skip Holtz’s offenses at Louisiana Tech.
Jarred Craft and Boston Scott ran for 3,168 yards in 2016 and 2017 combined. The duo has now moved on due to graduation, and the Bulldogs must find an adequate replacement. Doing so will not be an easy task.
Looking at the running back situation as it stands, the returning production of Kam McKnight, Jaqwis Dancy, and Israel Tucker combined for 63 carries, 346 yards, and five touchdowns a year ago.
McKnight played wide receiver in 2017 but will now get the opportunity to move to his more natural position of running back in 2018. He has been a solid short yardage back in 2016 and 2017, combining for 10 touchdowns on 30 carries.
Jaqwis Dancy’s battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was well known throughout the Louisiana Tech community. Dancy beat cancer, perhaps his biggest victory to date in his young life, but now the rising junior running back is ready to make noise on the gridiron. Dancy ran for 262 yards on just 39 carries in 2017, flashing his big play ability on numerous occasions. If Dancy can stay healthy, he very might well be Tech’s fifth consecutive 1,000 yard rusher.
Israel Tucker saw nine carries in 2017. This was his first season after overcoming an ACL injury in 2016 which caused him to redshirt.
Will walk-ons Dee Fleming and Tony Huey factor into the backfield rotation as well? Time will tell.
McKnight and Dancy certainly appear to be the frontrunners to carry the load for the ‘Dogs out of the backfield in 2018. McKnight would play the role of short-yardage, between the tackles type back, while Dancy has big play ability and will look to showcase his speed and elusiveness in the open field.
With the spring game on April 14th, will Tucker, Fleming, or Huey prove that they are ready for consistent touches? The opportunity is there for the taking.
Elijah Hines and DeAndre Marcus, both 2018 signees, will arrive this summer and look to compete for playing time in the Bulldogs backfield as well.
The running back position will be paid close attention to throughout the spring and into the fall. Join us at BleedTechBlue.com for only $9.95 a month for daily practice updates throughout the spring.
