A look forward: Tailbacks

On the whole, the Hokies got better production from the running back position in 2014 than they have received since David Wilson was the tailback in 2011.  Here’s a look at the numbers over the last three years, and they include carries by fullback Sam Rogers.

2012: 295 carries, 1258 yards, 4.26 ypc
2013: 296 carries, 1177 yards, 3.98 ypc
2014: 365 carries, 1622 yards, 4.44 ypc

Tech’s tailbacks averaged more yards per carry in 2014 than they did in 2012 and 2013.  The increase from 2013 to 2014 was .46 yards per carry, which is not insignificant.  All of Tech’s backs, with the exception of Marshawn Williams (3.7) and Jerome Wright (2.0) averaged at least 4.4 yards per carry in 2014.

We knew the Hokie tailbacks would have to carry an increased load in 2014 because Logan Thomas was off to the NFL.  Things were inconsistent until the last four games of the season, but the overall production did improve a bit this year.  It will have to continue to improve in 2015, assuming Michael Brewer holds on to the starting job.

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