Pre-Spring 2024 Rundown: Running Backs

With the dust settled on the 2024 class, I’m going to take some time to breakdown the additions by position group. The format will be similar to these position breakdowns I’ve done in the past: key losses, what is returning, new additions, and highlight an important storyline for each group. The final group I’m looking at is the RB room.

Key Departures

CJ Wilson - 132 carries 636 yards 5 TD - 2nd Team All-GSC

Jalen Bussey - 44 carries 341 yards 3 TD

Top Returning Players

Graduate - Jamontez Woods - 102 carries 565 yards 6 TD 9 receptions 59 yards

RS Freshman - TJ Lane - 10 carries 59 yards 1 TD

New Additions

N/A

New Additions Primer

The Argonauts added no new players at the RB position, although WR signee Jabari Murphy could have some flexibility to play in the backfield if needed. They are replacing two very experienced, quality backs in CJ Wilson and Jalen Bussey. Wilson has been a presence for the Argonauts the past two years, in 2022 he was one of the top scoring backs in the GSC with 12 rushing TD, and last year as RB1 had a very good season. Bussey came to UWF after a long stint with FCS powerhouse NDSU, and was an immediate impact as a change of pace back to the two bigger power runners in Wilson and Woods.

Spring Storyline: Class of 2023 Surge Needed

West Florida returns a quality back in Jamontez Woods, he was the second leading rusher on the team last season, and lead the team in rushing TDs. He’s going to be a steady three-down presence in the offensive backfield, and barring anything truly strange happening, will be the starter Week 1 this fall. He came to UWF last year after a four year career at Troy, where he had a solid run, over 800 yards from scrimmage and 6 total TD, but was kind of unfortunate to play at the same time as three of Troy’s top 10 all time leading rushers, including all time leader and 2024 NFL Draft prospect Kimani Vidal. But Woods is also the only returning player from the 2023 team who had more than 10 rushing attempts, so Coach Wintrick will be looking to fill in the depth, most likely with a couple of 2023 signees who Redshirted in 2023.

My favorite for breakout offensive player in 2024 is TJ Lane, who signed with West Florida after a stunning Senior season at Middleburg where he rushed for nearly 2000 yards in 11 games. He only had 10 carries last year, but he really stood out in his limited reps. He’s got a great combination of power and speed, and in my opinion goes into Spring as the likely RB2, but not without competition. Another c/o 2023 signee, Gulf Breeze’s Troy Coughlin has a similar game to Woods, he’s 6’1” 215 and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He didn’t get much play in 2023, but that was due to a pretty stacked RB room. Another returning backup is Daryel Garcia, who had just 10 carries last year, but he brings good change of pace and change of direction compared to the other three runners more physical style. Dont be shocked to see the coaching staff add to this group post spring as well, that is when they landed both Woods and Bussey last year, and RB is a position where you can typically find quality depth in the portal. We could even see the reappearance of a familiar face before Fall camp…

Pre-Spring Projected RB Depth Chart

Position: 1st String / 2nd String / 3rd String

Running Back: Jamontez Woods / TJ Lane / Daryel Garcia