Returning Players:
32. Alvester Alexander So. 5-11, 208lb, Houston, TX
25. James Davis Jr. 5-9, 190lb, Monrovia, CA
22. Tedder Easton RFr. 5-11, 235lb, Columbia, MO (Walk-On)
Players Lost:
22. Brandon Stewart So. 5-11, 193lb, Evansville, IN
26. Daruis Terry Jr. 5-11, 210lb, Colorado Springs, CO
Incoming Players:
20. Nehemie Kankolongo Fr. 5-11, 200lb, Coquitlam, British Columbia
Alvester Alexander had a very solid freshmen season splitting carries with Brandon Stewart gaining 503 yards on 124 carries (4.1 YPR) while also scoring six touchdowns. Alexander with his size and speed is more of an outside runner but he does posses the ability to run the ball effectively on the inside. He just needs to work on hitting those inside holes as aggressively as he attacks the outside running lanes. It would also help if he would run less upright giving defenders ‘less’ to tackle. Receiving wise Alexander had seven catches for ninety-three yards last year and with his speed could be a very good receiving option out of the backfield if utilized properly. Look for him to at least triple his receiving output in 2010 especially with Stewart who accounted for 16 catches last year out of the mix. Overall, Alexander should improve on his numbers because he is the only proven back on the roster at this time. The only question is does he have the durability and stamina to run the ball 20-22 times a game?
What can you say about James Davis? He hasn’t ever played in a game for the Cowboys but he was a highly decorated player out of high school and was a three star player according to Rivals when signed by Joe Glenn. This spring he was moved to WR to see if he could make an impact there but was moved back to RB for fall camp and currently sits 3rd on the depth chart. It is fair to say James Davis is a complete unknown and any production you get out of him is a bonus. By all accounts he has had a solid camp so far and has even taken some snaps with the one’s so he could surprise some people this fall and he may have to because the severe lack of depth the Cowboys currently have in the backfield.
The last returning running back is walk-on Tedder Easton. He is a little larger than the other backs at UW and was red-shirted last fall. Christensen likes this kid because he is a hard worker but is significantly less talented than the other backs. Due to his size he could be a factor in short yardage and goal line situations but that is yet to be seen. Easton is another complete unknown and any contribution he can make on the field would be welcome.
The only incoming running back this year is Nehemie Kankolongo out of British Columbia, Canada after Evan Williams from Minnesota did not academically qualify. His story is a real good one; he worked at McDonald’s last year so he could earn enough money to purchase a bus ticket to get to Laramie for the 2009 summer football camp. He arrived in the Gem City in the middle of the night and was in Pads the very next day. He impressed the coaching staff so much that he was offered a scholarship and now he is in the mix to split carries with Alexander. The only problem is he may be injury prone. He tore his MCL during spring ball and missed most of those practices. He worked hard to rehab during the summer but suffered a leg injury in the first week of fall camp and as of this posting is short and long term status is unknown after an MRI on his leg. It should also be noted that Kankolongo has been suspended for the first game against Southern Utah for breaking team rules. If Kankolongo is healthy after his suspension there is no doubt he will play and have an impact on this team and could probably put up numbers just as good or better than Alexander did last year.
GRADE: C
As with the QB position the Pokes only get a ‘C’ here because of a complete lack of depth. Anytime a team only has four running backs on a roster and only one of them have actually participated in a college game there should be cause for concern. Any injury to the current stable of backs could be disastrous to the Cowboys because unlike most spread offenses, Christensen’s is designed to run the ball. Last year Wyoming rushed the ball for 1,770 yards and in his last few years at Mizzou Christensen’s teams put up 1,943, 2,467, and 2,153 yards rushing so there is still room for improvement in terms of production at Wyoming.
Original Story:
http://7220report.com/2010/08/13/2010...
