I was able to visit with first year running backs coach Robbie Rouse. Rouse had a standout career at Fresno State, played in the NFL, and had a nice career in arena football before becoming a coach. He was at Augustana for a few years and then most recently at Cal Poly. He arrived knowing about the guys in the room but was impressed with the overall makeup of the room. He shared that he thinks they have the best 1-2 punch in the country and that he thinks these guys can all play. The physical nature of the position means that they all need to be ready to play when their number is called.
Much like the quarterback room, the Jackrabbits return one of the top backs in the FCS (and all of college football) in #22 Isaiah Davis (6-1, 220, SR). Davis is joined by emerging star #3 Amar Johnson (5-11, 190, JR) who showed he is more than capable of being a lead dog while Davis was injured last fall and in the National Championship. This duo has a thunder and lightning aspect to it but I think what makes them both special is how well rounded they are. They are complete backs. Davis ended 2022 with with 1,451 yards (5.8 ypc avg) and 15 TDs. He added 21 receptions for 173 yards. Throughout his career he has shown soft hands and in an offense with less weapons, he could certainly handle more volume. Rouse says that Davis has always led by example but is becoming more of a vocal leader, especially in the running back room. He shared that Davis is carrying himself as a pro and that his attention to details and the day to day work are what make him great. Amar Johnson had 744 yards (5.7 ypc avg) and 7 TDs to go with 13 receptions for 125 yards and a TD. Amar’s shiftiness forms the perfect combination with Davis’s one cut power. In a way it is like having Pierre Strong and Zach Zenner in the same backfield. Yes, that is a lofty comparison but that his how good I think they each are. Rouse had a ton of good things to say about Amar but maybe the highlight is that he had a really good offseason, has added weight, and maintained his movement skills. He looks for Amar to continue the strong play he had in the playoffs.
#21 Angel Johnson (5-10, 185, SO) looks like he could be one of the fastest guys on the team. I would love to see him get reps behind the first team offensive line this season. I want to see him in the open field much like his touchdown run in this years spring game. Angel was a wide receiver in high school as well so I would assume he still has really good hands. Rouse recognizes the untapped potential and credits Angel for working hard to learn the game and the position. The team is looking at ways to get the ball in Angel’s hands because of his talent. Last year he had 21 carries for 99 yards and 1 TD. His fumble late in the game against UC Davis was certainly a learning moment. #24 Derrick Johnson (6-0, 200, RFr) looks like he could be the next dude in the backfield for the Jacks. He did some special things in the spring game before getting injured. Rouse credits DJ for working hard this offseason to change his body. He also said that DJ was really took advantage of the extra reps this spring and that he just always finds ways to get positive yardage. #39 Isaac Kracl (5-11, 180, RFr) is another player with raw, untapped abilities. Kracl has added some size and is one of the strongest guys in the room according to Rouse. He’s had a good summer and is continuing to work on the day to day consistency. #56 Andrew Gustad (6-0, 220) is moving over from linebacker after impressing the coaches as the scout team fullback. Coach Bobbit was impressed with how Gustad approached his role on the scout team last year and spoke highly of how physical he was and how good of a job he did blocking the Jacks starting linebacker corp.
The Jacks brought in two new additions. #45 Brenden Begeman (6-1, 205) and #37 Kirby Vorhees (5-10, 195) had two great prep careers and will now look to make their mark in Brookings. Begeman, a bigger back, finished as the all-time career rushing leader in South Dakota high school football history with 6,807 yards. From his tape, Rouse thinks Begeman has some great feet, size, and is intelligent. Vorhees rushed for 1,075 yards as a junior and 1,015 yards as a senior in Florida. Rouse is excited to see Vorhees quick twitch, strength, and intelligence in practice.
The Jackrabbits seem to always have one of the best running backs in the FCS. None of these guys were highly recruited but they showed up in Brookings ready to work. This group is no different and there is talent from top to bottom in this room. I’m excited to see this group perform!
Go Jacks!
Matt