With the 2016 season right around the corner, The Chronicle's football beat writers break down each of the nine major position groups: quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, offensive line, defensive line, defensive backs, linebackers, kicker/punter and punt/kickoff returners to prepare you for the regular season.
With the help of dual-threat quarterback Thomas Sirk, Duke's running attack gashed defenses for 192.9 yards per game last year, its highest total since 1977. But since Sirk went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon in spring practices, the running backs may not have much help at the beginning of the season, especially in the read option, a favorite of ex-offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery in 2015.
With Sirk a question mark as the season’s signal-caller, the running backs will be called on to lead the offense, as the two-headed monster of junior Shaun Wilson and redshirt senior Jela Duncan with the help of reserve Joseph Ajeigbe will need to set the tone for the Blue Devils to sustain drives and move the chains.
Key Players Lost: Shaquille Powell
Despite placing Wilson and Duncan on the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list, Duke will miss the leadership and consistency of Powell. The senior rushed for 1,597 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons and did not lose a fumble last year despite getting 160 touches. The Las Vegas native led the running back corps in rushing yards in 2015 and was also a three-time Academic All-ACC selection from 2013 to 2015.
Cutcliffe on the Running Backs
As I look at our offense, I know we have weapons. You see that with the running backs.
We’re deeper than we’ve been. You can never have enough of them. Those three guys at the top of the batting order—you see Joe on that screen pass [in Friday's scrimmage] with the kind of strength and quickness he has, and we all know Shaun’s got breakaway skills and Jela has got the ability to move in the open field.
This time a year ago, our injury list was twice as deep as it is now. I don’t know that we had a healthy running back at this time a year ago, so I’m pleased with that.
Projected Starters
The dynamic tandem of Wilson and Duncan should split time at running back. The duo represents one of the five active tailback groups in the ACC with at least 1,000 career rushing yards each and will carry a heavy load for the offense.
Wilson big-play ability was on full display in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl victory last season against Indiana, as he found the end zone on a 98-yard kickoff return and an 85-yard touchdown run. The Charlotte, N.C., native also has solid hands out of the backfield and will be an option in the passing game.
But in short-yardage situations, the ball will be going to Duncan, the 5-foot-10, 215-pound workhorse who led the Blue Devil running backs with a 410-pound bench press in the team’s spring strength evaluation. Duncan also has some breakaway speed and starred at times alongside Wilson in the open field, rushing for 109 yards on 13 carries in last year's Pinstripe Bowl.
To give the duo a rest on offense, Ajeigbe should be used occasionally after missing five games last season due to injury. The redshirt junior had an impressive offseason, leading the entire team by squatting 515 pounds.
With two proven options in the backfield and a third-stringer with potential, expect offensive coordinator Zac Roper to rely on the running game to score a lot this year.
Dark Horse: Brittain Brown
Brown, one of the Blue Devils’ top recruits in their 33rd-best recruiting class in the nation according to 247sports.com, comes out of the football hotbed of Georgia, where he was ranked as one of the top 30 running backs in the Class of 2016. Brown dominated in his final year of high school football, amassing 1,777 yards and 18 touchdowns at Cherokee High School in Canton, Ga. The true freshman has impressed so far in fall camp, using his quickness and agility to excel in tight spaces, and he can also be a viable option out of the backfield in the passing attack.
Be sure to stay with the Blue Zone for our continuing 2015 position preview series. Check in tomorrow to read about a wide open competition at wide receiver as Duke looks to replace reliable downfield threat Max McCaffrey.
Hank Tucker contributed reporting.
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