Spring Football Preview - The Running Backs

The Running Back Room:

DeCarlos Brooks:  5-10, 200, Junior

Damian Moore:  5-10, 220, Junior

Jaydn Ott: 6’, 200, Freshman

Ashton Stredick:  5-9, 195, Sophomore (Walk on)

Chris Street:  5-9, 210, Junior

The Competition:

It’s hard to imagine there won’t be quite a bit of shuffling on the depth chart between now and the home opener against UC Davis as this is as deep and varied a RB corps as Cal has seen in a long time.  In 2021, every member of this unit averaged at least 5 yards per carry.   This Spring, it starts with the return of Damien Moore.  Moore’s a tremendous instinctual runner with plus vision and excellent balance and strength.  What he lacks in breakaway speed he makes up for with his ability to consistently create positive yardage and wear down defenses.  He’s going to be challenged to hang onto the ball given his late 2021 struggles with fumbling.  Jaydn Ott, the incoming highly touted freshman, is going to be given every chance to win the job as he’s already flashed special level acceleration and big play ability.  If he can keep up that speed and quickness when he dons the pads, the Bears may have a star in their midst.  DeCarlos Brooks excited the coaches going into the 2021 season with his all-around game.  Brooks has good quickness, deft feet, and showed off good vision and a surprising ability to break tackles.  Chris Street played quite a bit last year and he has a nice combination of burst and strength.  Stredick is a speedster but may be outclassed in this group.  Ashton Hayes will join the tailback corps when he arrives this Summer and could factor into the rotation with his pass-catching ability and big-play speed.  

Key Questions:

• Who can stay healthy?  Brooks has fought injuries throughout his career and will have to be 100% to have a chance to earn snaps.   This is a position group where injuries can pile up and there aren’t a ton of bodies here.  
• Which of the running backs can make themselves a threat in the passing game?  Throwing to the backs will continue to be a staple of the Musgrave offense and good hands are a must.  Additionally, Cal would love to get their speedier backs (Brooks, Hayes, and Ott) matched up against linebackers to create big plays down the field.  
• How deep will the rotation go in 2022?   Musgrave has shown that he prefers to have at least two backs splitting the load.  It’s not hard to imagine a thunder and lightning combination with Moore and Ott with perhaps Brooks grabbing the carries that remain.  

Injuries:

Brooks finished the 2021 season relatively healthy and there are no other known injuries as we enter Spring

See also:

Spring Quarterback Preview (Premium)