Searching for movement in the Miss. State running back competition

Numbers don’t lie. And the numbers say that Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen likes to run the football a lot.

The Bulldogs finished 17th in the nation last season in rushing attempts per game with 45.5. Although much of that was due to 210 attempts by quarterback Dak Prescott, the team also deployed several running backs to pound the rock.

Josh Robinson, who’s now with the Indianapolis Colts, led all Mississippi State backs last year with 190 attempts. But two juniors currently on the roster also shouldered some of the load in 2014. Ashton Shumpert finished second on the team with 47 carries and Brandon Holloway, who’s used as a change-of-pace back because of his slight 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame, wasn’t far behind with 45.

Although he saw some playing time as a true freshman and sophomore, Shumpert has yet to start a game for the Bulldogs. But he is still the most experienced all-purpose running back on the roster.

With fall camp in full swing, Shumpert has received most of the first-team reps and it appears that the starting job will be his to lose. Although it’s hard to tell this early camp which back will truly come out on top, Mississippi State running back coach Greg Knox told reporters after practice Aug. 11 that Shumpert’s familiarity with the offense has him out in front.

But a running back by committee approach is certainly not out of the question with two talented redshirt freshmen, Aeris Williams and Dontavian Lee, on the roster that have been turning heads since the spring game.

Williams and Lee have both drawn praise from Bulldogs coaches this offseason and will surely push Shumpert for carries. Both are also listed at 6-foot-1 and at least 215 pounds so, unlike Holloway, their size shouldn’t restrict them from any situation that occurs within a game.

But it’s those specific situations within a game that might end up determining how much playing time each runner receives.

Mullen is already on record saying that he finds the backfield competition in Starkville interesting because of the “different skill sets” that Shumpert, Lee and Williams bring to the table.

Shumpert and Williams probably are the most similar runners. Although Shumpert is about 20 pounds larger, they both run aggressive and downhill. Their ability to keep their legs moving and create yards after first contact make them good first- and second-down backs that can wear down defenses.

However, Shumpert is much more developed than Williams in terms of pass blocking and understanding the Bulldogs playbook. Those two aspects are what will make it hard for Williams to find playing time ahead of Shumpert. But as the season progresses and he continues to develop, Williams may find himself more involved in the backfield mix.

Lee is the heaviest running back on the roster at 227 pounds and could be Mississippi State’s best power back. He’s also athletic and has good hands. Usually those are traits of scatbacks like Holloway, but Lee is built more like Shumpert and Williams and proved in the spring game that he knows how to lower his pad level and deliver a blow.

Lee knows how to use his size and speed to his advantage and some believe he could eventually emerge as the most complete back on the team. For now, look for him to be rotated in primarily as a third-down and goal-line option, but that role could expand.

One thing is for sure, having a stable of backs is never a bad thing in football. At quarterback, “if you have two you have none.” But the bruising nature of the running back position opens up many opportunities for each one on the roster to contribute in some way.

Whether the team rides the hot hand or one of the Bulldogs backs runs away with the job, Mullen has to like his chances of producing another 1,000-yard rusher.

Pat Donohue

Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.