With fall camp upon us, it’s time to dive into my predictions for the QB and RB positions for the upcoming 2020 season! Down below, I’ll lay out a “two-deep” at every position as I project who will be the starter and the immediate backup/backups at each spot come the start of the season. (Whenever that may be.) Without further ado, let’s get after it!
Quarterback – Feels like ’18
Remember the three-way quarterback battle between Blake Barnett, Chris Oladokun, and Brett Kean in 2018? Enter incumbent starter Jordan McCloud, Cade Fortin, and Noah Johnson who come into fall camp 2020 ready to battle it out for the starting gig come the start of the season. Feels a lot like 2018 here minus a few differences, but be on the lookout for this position battle as camp rolls on…
Starter: Jordan McCloud
Backups: Cade Fortin/Noah Johnson
Mike’s Take: This is honestly one of the toughest positions to predict on the team. With Coach Jeff Scott bringing in former UNC QB Cade Fortin and former Alcorn St. QB Noah Johnson, Scott turned this quarterback room from bare to loaded within a matter of months over the off-season. Add in true freshmen QBs Jordan Smith and Katravis Marsh and you have a bright future on your hands at the position for years to come. I went with McCloud as my projected starter at the position with no spring camp due to the COVID-19 pandemic not doing any favors for Fortin as someone who could’ve made a real case for the spot BEFORE fall camp even took place. Let me say this though: If Fortin or Johnson win the job, I wouldn’t be surprised either. You saw Barnett join the program in fall 2018 and take the job away from Oladokun and Kean in a matter of weeks and the same thing could happen here as the staff decides on who gives their offense the best shot to produce points this year. All three QBs bring something different to the table as you could truly make a case for either player to win the job.
Running Back – The Carries Will Go Around, Trust Me…
With former Oregon RB Darrian Felix deemed eligible by the NCAA for the 2020 season, this gave the running back room even more depth heading into the fall season. As the title reads, the carries will go around this season as the position has BALLERS from top to bottom on the depth chart…
Starter: Darrian Felix
Backups: Kelley Joiner/Johnny Ford
Mike’s Take: Felix gives this backfield a solid inside runner and I believe that this was the thought process for CJS and Co. when they brought in Darrian after Scott was hired by the program. I love the Joiner/Ford combo behind Felix and guys like Josh Berry and true freshman Brian Battie could absolutely see touches this year as well. This will be a position to look out for as the season progresses (whatever that means honestly…) as you should see a MULTITUDE of guys touch the ball every game this season.
Feel free to @ me on Twitter @mic_Cusi or comment down below if you agree or disagree with any of my predictions! Be sure to tune in next week as I uncover my depth chart predictions for the WR and TE positions!