The 2024 USF Football season is right around the corner, Bulls fans! We are less than three weeks away from the Bulls taking the field against Bethune Cookman at Raymond James Stadium. We here at SoFloBulls are previewing each position group for the Bulls, and today is looking at the running backs.
The running back position is one that USF relied on last season with Florida transfer Nay’Quan Wright as the starter. Kelley Joiner and K’Wan Powell saw playing time as backups, but 2024 sees a loaded running back room for the program. That being said, let’s get into which tailbacks will see the field in 2024.
RB1: Nay’Quan Wright
Wright is a pivotal tailback that has power and speed with the ability to be a versatile north-south rusher for the offense. In 2023, Wright totaled 797 rushing yards with eight touchdowns on 180 attempts. The power and quick speed displayed by Wright put the running back room as one of the best positions for this USF team.
Coming into 2024, Nay’Quan Wright will be a graduate student-athlete and likely has the starting job already locked up. However, it goes without saying that Joiner, Powell or even Bowling Green transfer Ta’Ron Keith all have the potential to give Wright a run for his money for the starting role.
RB2: Kelley Joiner
Powell would have been in this spot originally, but the emphasis around his status for 2024 is that he will miss most of the season. Therefore, I have Joiner sliding into the RB2 spot, barely beating out Bowling Green transfer Ta’Ron Keith for the backup spot.
Joiner ran the ball 39 times last season for 156 yards and a touchdown. Expect those numbers to improve with the increase in playing time barring any injuries.
RB3: Ta’Ron Keith
I think newcomer Keith takes the third spot on the depth chart in the backfield. He rushed for 360 yards and four touchdowns a year ago at Bowling Green. But the experience with Wright and Joiner puts Keith in a position to have to work his way to the top.
There is the potential for Bulls fans to see flashes of great carrying ability from Keith, but I think his playing time could be limited due to the experience and depth ahead of him.