While the Kalen DeBoer offense promises to bring a more modern passing attack to Montlake, the running back position remains vital to his system and to the Dawgs’ prospects. Fortunately for the new staff, the RB cupboard is far from bare. Their task will be to sort through a crowded room to determine whose skills best fit what they want the position to accomplish.

2021 Review

The running backs’ collective performance last season was a good microcosm for the problems with the team at large. The squad was full of players who were top-rated recruits, amassed solid stats in prior seasons, or both. Yet the scheme depressed their performance nearly across the board and the player usage seemed more emblematic of knee jerk reactions than a coherent strategy.

 

 

 

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Sean McGrew led the team with 434 yards, but he mysteriously couldn’t get on the field for long stretches at the start and end of the season. His 3.9 YPC average was a steep regression from the 4.5, 6.2, and 5.3 YPC he averaged over his previous three seasons. The persistent and predictable A-gap runs that miscast pulling linemen as road-graders contributed to McGrew’s diminished performance, as did the sporadic participation. Cameron Davis had the next most carries, but also failed to crack 4 YPC (3.6) and struggled to hold onto the ball. Richard Newton (3.5 YPC) fit the same mold until an injury prematurely ended his season. Jay’veon Sunday saw a smattering of playing time late in the season but barely eked out a yard per carry.

The brightest spot among the running backs was Kamari Pleasant. The journeyman steadily worked his way up the depth chart through his lengthy UW career and finished with 308 yards on a team-best 5.4 YPC. Pleasant also stood out in the PFF grades with a position-best 79.0, bolstered by strong performances in the pass game. Despite his diminished stats, McGrew…