The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1502339
JULY/AUGUST 2023 ■ 31 Run It Back BY ETHAN MCDOWELL A side from Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, NC State returns the ma- jority of its running back production from last year. Jordan Houston is back for his fifth season of college football after starting 12 of 13 games a year ago. He carried a career-high 136 times for 544 yards and added 213 yards receiving in 2022. That versatility should lend itself well to the system being imple- mented by first-year offensive coordinator Robert Anae. Another asset Houston offers is his capacity for handling the punishment of a long season, having played in 12 games each of the past four years. "The key to a running back is always durability," Anae said. "With Jordan, I think he may have only missed one drill the whole spring." Following Sumo-Karngbaye's decision to leave for Kentucky via the transfer portal, sophomore Michael Allen could have an ex- panded role in the Pack's offense this fall. He showed flashes while rushing for 268 yards last season, but he was recovering from an injury this spring, Anae said. Demarcus Jones II and Delbert Mimms III are both entering their redshirt junior seasons after playing rotational roles in 2022. Mimms carried 27 times for 113 yards, while Jones had 68 yards on 24 at- tempts. The two also combined to make 10 catches for 102 yards and could figure more prominently in the passing game this fall. "Delbert did a nice job" in spring practice, Anae noted, "and so did Jones." Kendrick Raphael could bring some excitement to the position group after showing potential in the spring game. Anae said the freshman showcased his skills throughout the team's offseason drills but must continue to improve his blocking. "When the ball is in his hands, there's a natural knack, just a run- ning back thing," Anae said. RUNNING BACKS ■ POSITIONAL GRADES ★★★★ Among country's best; ★★★ Among ACC's best; ★★ Solid or has potential; ★ Too unproven STARTER ★★ Jordan Houston is reliable and consistent. He has shown some very impressive pass-catching and playmaking ability in the past, so it will be interesting to see if the new offense unlocks a potential career year for the senior. EXPERIENCE ★★ Houston brings a wealth of experience to the position group, and NC State can also rely on Michael Allen and Kendrick Raphael to play roles in the rotation as un- derclassmen. Demarcus Jones II and Delbert Mimms III have combined for only 58 carries in their careers to date, but they are both redshirt juniors who have been in the program for four years. DEPTH ★★ NC State used a few two-back sets during the spring game. If that turns out to be a significant component of the offense this fall, depth at running back will be very important. Behind Houston, Jones and Mimms have flashed their skills the past couple of years, while Allen and Raphael could raise the ceiling of the room if they can establish steady roles this fall. OVERALL GRADE ★★ Coordinator Robert Anae's offense will give Houston the opportunity to make plays in space, which he did extremely well at times last year. He could be in for a new career high in production, while the depth behind him remains a question mark that could dictate the success of the Pack's rushing attack. SPOTLIGHT PLAYER SOPHOMORE MICHAEL ALLEN A high-profile member of the Pack's 2022 recruiting class, Allen showed some exciting potential in the six games in which he appeared as a freshman. He made his debut against Connecticut and rushed for 66 yards on 10 attempts. Just over a month later, Allen took on a more consistent role due to injuries elsewhere in the running backs room. When the Pack faced Boston College in Week 10, he set a career-high mark by gaining 77 yards on 14 carries. Allen went on to finish the season with 268 rushing yards on just 53 carries (5.1 yards per carry), while adding 97 receiving yards. The Greenville, N.C., native was a four-star recruit coming out of Rose High. He was the No. 25 running back prospect in the nation and the No. 9 recruit in North Carolina, per the On3 Industry Ranking. Allen picked NC State over offers from North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas. BY THE NUMBERS 8 Rushing touchdowns by NC State last season. It was the second-lowest total in the ACC, and 5 of those scores were by quar- terbacks. 45.3 J o r d a n H o u s t o n 's per-game rushing average in 2022, which ranked 10th in the ACC. 1,735 Kendrick Raphael's t o t a l r u s h i n g yardage as a senior at Na- ples (Fla.) High. PROJECTED DEPTH CHART STARTER No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 3 Jordan Houston Sr. 5-10 190 Waldorf, Md. RESERVE No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 2 Michael Allen So. 5-9 203 Greenville, N.C. WAITING IN THE WINGS No. Name Year Ht. Wt. Hometown 28 Demarcus Jones II R-Jr. 5-10 210 Wendell, N.C. 34 Delbert Mimms III R-Jr. 5-11 215 Indianapolis 30 Kendrick Raphael Fr. 5-11 190 Naples, Fla. JORDAN HOUSTON PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP