2023 BYU Football Spring Roster: The Good, The Bad, & The Future at the Running Back Position
BYU is two weeks into Spring camp in preparation for the 2023 season. Earlier this week, we launched a series previewing the Spring roster by position. We started with the quarterbacks. Today, we move our focus to the running backs.
Credit: BYU Photo
BYU Spring Roster: Running Backs
Eight running backs are listed on BYU's roster. Five of the eight were on the 2022 roster, but only three of the eight were listed as running backs last season.
Previous Signees (Number, Name, 247 Composite Score)
Credit: BYU Photo
- 20 - Nukuluve Helu
Transfers (Number, Name, 247 Composite Score)
- 3 - Aidan Robbins
Returning Players (Number, Name, 247 Composite Score)
Credit: BYU Photo
- 4 - Miles Davis
- 5 - Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters
- 7 - Hinckley Ropati
- 21 - Enoch Nawahine
- 26 - Morgan Pyper
2023 Signees
- NA
Other Newcomers
- 32 - Chase Hopkins
The Good – BYU's running back group appears to be in a very good position for the 2023 season. The Cougars added one of the top transfer running backs in Aidan Robbins, and they also flipped Stanford commit LJ Martin who will join the program in the Summer. Robbins and Martin undoubtedly elevate the talent of the running backs. With the addition of those two and the return of 2022 contributors Hinckley Ropati and Miles Davis, the running back group is versatile and deep.
This group is a good example of how BYU will need to recruit to compete in the Big 12. Both Hinckley Ropati and Miles Davis showed promise in 2022 and the Cougars were set to welcome returned missionary Nukuluve Helu into the program. A trio of those three would have been enough in the Mountain West era or even in the Independence era. To compete in the Big 12 and last 10 games against Power Five teams, however, BYU needed more. Not only did they add more bodies, they added two players that will contribute right away.
The Bad – Aidan Robbins, who is the favorite to winning the starting job, will not be a full participant this Spring after undergoing offseason wrist surgery. Ideally, he would be available and taking reps in the Spring.
While Robbins is limited, Miles Davis, Hinckley Ropati and others will have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and establish their spots on the depth chart.
The Future – BYU's future is bright at running back. 2023 signee LJ Martin is the highest-rated running back to sign with BYU since recruiting rankings were established. Martin has been one of the most productive running backs in Texas over the last two years with over 4,800 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns. Martin is talented enough to come in and find a role right away.
Aidan Robbins still has two years of eligibility remaining. Miles Davis has three years of eligibility remaining. Nukuluve Helu is a freshman. That's a lot of talent that will be in the program not just for 2023 but beyond.
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