K-State Football Position Preview 2015: Running Backs

The rushing attack for the 2014 Kansas State Wildcats was not good, netting the lowest total yards (1,745) since the return of Bill Snyder to the K-State sidelines. 2014 also marked the first time since 2008 that the Wildcats failed to surpass 2,000 yards as a team on the ground. Charles Jones led the way with 540 yards on 133 carries, followed by Jake Waters with 484 yards (not sack-adjusted) on 154 carries, and DeMarcus Robinson with 437 yards on 113 carries. And two-thirds of that 2014 production is gone. Ouch.

Starters

Charles Jones will again be tapped to lead the Wildcat rushing attack. After a 2014 campaign that saw Jones battling nagging injuries, hopefully the second-year starter can stay healthy and push towards 1,000 yards on the season. Also vying for playing time will be two redshirt freshmen in former walk-on Justin Silmon and former Blue Springs South star Dalvin Warmack. Slimon thrust himself into the lead of the backup race with a stellar spring game performance, but Warmack has all the tools to be a solid change-of-pace back.

Backups

After Silmon and Warmack comes Jarvis Leverett, who was in the same recruiting class as Jones but has yet to make much impact for the Wildcats. After Leverett are three true freshman who will all likely redshirt the 2015 season: Alex Barnes, Kalin Heath, and Terrance Richards.

Outlook

After a sub-par 2014 campaign, the K-State rushing attack will need to get back on point as the Cats will likely lean on the ground game to help protect their first-year QB and WR corps depleted by graduation. If Jones or Silmon/Warmack can get close to 1,000 yards rushing then the Cats will likely have been competitive in most games. But if production stays low again, expect a long season for the K-State offense.