Who has the Best? RB (Casey)

So now that you have had a look at the Quarterbacks for our local teams, lets take a look at the guys that are going to be in the backfield with them, the Running Backs.

BYU's Jamaal Williams

BYU's Michael Alisa

BYU has an amazing stable of Running Backs coming back this year for first year coach Mark Atuaia and they will be one of the strengths of this BYU offense. The listed starters as of spring camp were Sophomore Jamaal Williams and Senior Michael Alisa. Alisa is from Laie Hawaii and played for Kahuku High school before coming to Utah and there he played two years for Timpview High.  As a freshman Michael Alisa played mostly on special teams and was a solid contributor. He is recorded as having 11 tackles as well as a Tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. As a Sophomore Alisa began seeing a lot more time in the backfield. That year he recorded 455 yards rushing with three touchdowns as well as 55 yards receiving and one touchdown. Alisa was the clear starter last year. He was named to the Doak Walker award watch list as well as the All-State AFCA Good Works Team. He played in five games before breaking his arm against Hawaii. In those games he gained 222 yards and one touchdown with 23 yards receiving. But that broken arm cleared the way for the freshman phenom Jamaal Williams. Jamaal came to BYU as an 17 year old from Fontana California. In High school Jamaal was the CIF Offensive MVP, League MVP, All CIF First Team, and All League First Team. When Jamaal got his chance was after Alisa got hurt in the Hawaii game and in that game Jamaal rushed for 155 yards which was his season high. At the end of the year he finished with 166 carries for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns which are all freshman record at BYU. He also had 27 receptions for 315 yards and one touchdown. His breakout game came against Georgia Tech where he finished with 161 total yards of offense and 4 Touchdowns (3 rushing 1 receiving).

Utah's Kelvin York

Utah has always had a good stable of running backs that have been bruisers at times (Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala) and finesse like John White last year. But this year Utahs backfield is going to be kind of a mystery. They have a clear cut starter in Kelvin York but I'm not sure who they are going to back him up with. They have listed on there post spring depth chart Sophomore James "Bubba" Poole and Senior Karl Williams as backups. But York is a stud and I think as long as he stays healthy he will produce for the Utes this year. York is a senior from Prairieville Louisiana and is a transfer from Fullerton College. He is 5'11" tall and 220lbs. In his senior year of  High school he rushed for over 1400 yards while splitting time with Alabama's stud Eddie Lacy. During his first year at Utah he played in 8 games before injuring his ankle and while sharing touches he had 60 carries for 273 yards and three touchdowns. York is a beast, he is physical and low to the ground. If either Poole or Williams can step up this backfield could be good. They have four Running backs that signed to offers and will be at fall camp so that backup spot could be pretty interesting.

Utah State's Kelvin Lee

Utah State's Joe Hill

Utah State has a very interesting back field this year. The Last couple years have seen the Aggies putting running back after running back in the NFL. Well this year the Aggies are going to have two relative newcomers to the field in Joe Hill and Kelvin Lee. Joe Hill is a Junior but has been behind NFL backs in Kerwynn Williams, Robert Turbin and Michael Smith these last few years so this will be his first year as a possible starter. Joe Hill is from Fullerton California and is 5'11" 185lbs. He played a little as a Redshirt freshman and ran the ball 7 times for 24 yards and a touchdown. As  a Sophomore he saw a lot more playing time. He played in 12 game and started three of them. He finished the season with 43 carries for 269 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Kelvin Lee is a Sophomore from South Daytona Florida and is 5'10" and 183lbs. During his freshman year Lee saw action in 11 games and ran the ball 29 times for 130 yards. His college experience is limited but from what I understand coming out of spring camp, if Hill slips any Lee is ready to take over and move the team forward. The Aggies also have four Running Backs coming into the program come Fall Camp, But in my mind its Hills Job to lose.

Winner: BYU

BYU just has the depth this year to be the best Running Back corp in the State. Jamaal Williams in my mind is going to have his actual national breakout year this year. He has put on weight and is finally an adult (turned 18 this summer) and hasn't lost any speed. If Jamaal and Michael Alisa can stay healthy they could rack up the yards this year and really make this team very very good. Also keep and eye on BYU's depth, Adam Hine is no slouch and walk on Khalil Bell is a quick, strong running back out of Georgia that will make BYU that much deeper.