Howard's Running Back Room Plays To Win And For Each Other
NORFOLK, Va. — In the era of the transfer portal, it's hard to maintain depth at any position when players, for one reason or another, leave their current program for better opportunities elsewhere.
A great example of this is the running back room at Howard University. Jarrett Hunter is the clear starter for the Bison after running for 622 yards and five touchdowns, and he's projected to be an All-MEAC Second-Team selection for another year.
But the guys behind Hunter are talented and have the production and accolades to support their talent.
As a true freshman and the backup running back, Eden James ran for 406 yards on 75 carries, which translates to 5.4 yards per carry, which is top-10 in the MEAC.
Ian Wheeler is the third running back (according to carries and yards) on the Howard depth chart, and in 57 carries, he had 31 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
On top of each player's success, all three guys received postseason honors in 2022; Hunter was named an All-MEAC Second Team running back, James was a Third Team running back, and Wheeler was named the Second Team return specialist. Wheeler was also an All-MEAC Second Team running back in 2021.
With those numbers in a reserve role, most players would want to go somewhere with a better chance of being the primary back. And in the era of the portal, that likelihood has increased exponentially. So why didn't James or Wheeler elect to go elsewhere?
Simple. All three guys have bought in. That sounds cliche, but a factor in becoming a championship program is the players fully committing to a role and thriving in it while supporting others in their roles.
Hunter said as much during MEAC media days as he explained the camaraderie in the backfield.
"There are no egos," Hunter told HBCU Legends. "Everybody's cheering for everybody. When I'm not in, I'm cheering for Ian. When Ian's not in, he's cheering for Eden. We all cheer for each other—even the other backs like Tony Bedell and KJ Daniels.
"We all want to see each other be successful because, at the end of the day, if they're successful, we're successful."
Another factor that helps with the buy-in is that everyone has a role. That could be an offensive package best suited for a particular back, or in Wheeler's case, on the kickoff return, be featured in a completely different role.
Howard's head coach Larry Scott talked about that at media day; he was happy that everyone's bought into their roles.
"They're unselfish," Scott said to HBCU Legends. "They understand how we use them and where they're going to be used. They all have a role they embrace, whether special teams, specific packages on offense, or certain things we ask them to do throughout the game.
"They all embrace and perform those roles and have a piece of the pie. And they all take ownership in the overall performance of the entire room, not just themselves as individuals."
Scott continued to praise the unselfishness of his running backs because the mentality "permeates throughout our football team" and cites it as a critical factor in a championship program.
It's a huge advantage to have depth in any position, but more so to have individuals who care more for team success than personal success. Don't be fooled, though: all three players finished in the top-11 in the MEAC last season in rushing yards, so everyone has a chance to shine in various fashions.
A potent running attack, complemented by the play of quarterback Quinton Williams, sets up the Bison to have an explosive offensive attack in 2023.