Iowa has three capable and unique runners in the backfield, opening the offense up considerably.
By Jordan Hansen
There are three running backs at the top of the Iowa roster this season and as competition for snaps ensues, the coaches and players say it only makes the team better.
Senior LeShun Daniels leads the talented group, which includes juniors Derrick Mitchell Jr. and Akrum Wadley. Iowa is also breaking in new fullbacks this season, with Drake Kulick and Brady Ross sitting as co-starters at this moment.
That’s quite a few players, and finding time for them to all get snaps can be something of a tricky practice.
“In practice, it’s a good thing, because we don’t wear them down,” running-back coach Chris White said. “Right now, we feel LeShun is our starter … but that doesn’t mean Akrum isn’t a starter, that Derrick’s not a starter.
“It comes to a deal during the game where it’s who’s hot, who’s healthy, what types of plays we’re running.”
Iowa has to find a way to replace Jordan Canzeri, who led the team in rushing last year and was one of the respected older voices on the team. Daniels was second in yardage with 646 yards but was injured during large portions of the season.
Staying healthy has been one of the biggest issues for the position, and if Daniels can’t make it all the way through the season, Wadley will have to pick up some slack. In the past, Wadley, a dynamic back, has had problems hanging on to the ball.
“I think he’s figuring that out, so I want him to go attack it a lot more,” White said. “I think all the coaches would. His everyday choices and his body — it’s getting there, but it’s not there yet.”
While he’s tried to work through it, the issue still popped up last year on occasion. But he also put together a few magnificent highlights, including 204 yards against Northwestern and 120 against Indiana.
Wadley also has displayed some ability to catch the ball and is a very fluid athlete. He fits well next to Daniels, who is a larger back and is better fit to jam the ball down opposing players’ throats.
Meanwhile, Mitchell is a converted wide receiver and is Iowa’s third-down back. Also a fairly big player, he’s adept at blocking and running routes — both important, useful skills in the Hawkeyes’ offense.
“It’s going to be something to watch,” Wadley said. “We all got different things. We got LeShun who can be there and get them 3, 4 yards. He can make explosive plays … Derrick Mitchell got the hands, he can do a lot of amazing things.
“I’m explosive, we all three playmakers, and we’re going to eat.”
There’s a strong sense of togetherness that pervades the group and despite the constant competition for playing time, there aren’t hard feelings about how much time each player gets.
Mitchell and Wadley are roommates, after all, and Daniels is the oldest voice of the group. Each player knows how critical he is to making the offense works, which only gives the three more incentive to be better.
“You got people in your same position group who are backing you up and want you to do good,” Daniels said. “It makes you feel more relaxed and that you don’t have to do as much, because you know you’ve got people supporting you no matter what.”
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