As we continue with the Missouri Tigers positional outlook, we look at the running backs, a group which struggled last season:
Starter: Ish Witter, Junior
The Tampa Bay native is entering his third year with the Tigers and figures to get the bulk of the carries this season. He is a smaller back at 5-10, 190 pounds, which means he will inevitably split some reps and may come off the field on third down.
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He averaged 4.1 yards per rush last season, racking up 618 yards on 126 carries. He also added 15 catches for 143 yards as the backup behind Russell Hansbrough. He is going to be used in many different ways in Josh Heupel’s new offense, and I expect about 1200 all-purpose yards from him and about eight total touchdowns.
Backups: Trevon Walters, Alex Ross
Walters has yet to play for the Tigers after redshirting in 2014 and tearing his ACL in spring practice last season. The redshirt sophomore from Brandenton, Fla. has decent size at 5-10, 200 and is a versatile back who scored 15 total touchdowns his senior year of high school. He will be in a battle for reps all year long, but is a young guy who will be rested and hungry to get on the field.
Ross is a transfer who is using his last year of eligibility with the Tigers. He was part of the Oklahoma Sooners last season, and is a bigger back at 6-1, 220. The Jenks, Okla. native was used mostly as a kick returner last season, and was dynamic in that role–including one kickoff return of 90 yards against Oklahoma State. This year he should have more of a role as a runner, and get some of those carries between the tackles.