Running Backs Jumping From FCS-FBS
Matt takes a look at some running backs who are making the jump to FBS that you should know this season!
I’m going to be honest, there aren’t many FCS running backs that actually make this jump and turn into real difference makers at the Power Five level. And when I go back and look at the guys who have done it, it shows me that RBs who dominated and carried their offense in FCS and get an opportunity right away have a higher success rate than others. The honest truth is most of these guys don’t hit. If you strip everything else away, that’s the formula I’m using. It seems crazy, I know, but this is just how I see it based on history being so against the transfer up.
Take Cam Skattebo at Sacramento State. He was pretty much their whole offense. He then transfers to Arizona State and immediately becomes the same thing, just on a bigger stage, but was the same player we saw in FCS. Same with Bhayshul Tuten going from NC A&T to Virginia Tech. He didn’t need time to adjust; he just needed the touches. You will notice a trend with these players: the ones who do hit will get opportunities or earn them early in the season. The backs that don’t succeed will be what I call depth chart fillers. But here’s the part that really stands out to me and why I’m so selective with this group. The number of players transferring up has more than tripled since 2019, and at the same time, 55% of these guys played less than 300 snaps. That’s a huge number of guys coming up to chase their dreams at a higher level to not see the field at all or very minimally after being the star on their FCS team.
So here’s where I’m going to probably lose you along the way, but when targeting these guys, I’m not looking for the FCS stars that were amazing at their level; most of them that transfer up was. I’m looking at the landing spot and potential roles based on where they landed. I value opportunities and touches over true talent when looking at these players. Now, some of these guys are true talents, and that’s kind of the trend you will see.
Landen Chambers — Central Arkansas → UCF
Landen Chambers checks a box I care about immediately: he produced like a true focal point of an offense. At Central Arkansas, he was a workhorse RB that ran for 100+ in 8 straight games. Now he’s at UCF, where he joins another transfer, Duke Watson. I consider Chambers a better RB in terms of true workload potential. Watson, I see more as a speedy back to change the tempo. I honestly think in terms of who starts, it’s probably interchangeable, but Chambers will get opportunities.
DJ Crowther — Dartmouth → USF
Crowther is just a tough runner. That’s the best way I can put it. At Dartmouth, he put up nearly 1,000 yards in 10 games, and when you watch film, he just runs hard and seeks contact. Now he’s at USF, he’s competing for RB1 with Alvon Isaac. He actually complements him well as a more powerful back to Isaac, who is the speedier guy. Whoever starts, he has the best opportunity to get on the field early and often, which is what I want with these RBs.
Marquis Gillis — Delaware State → Arizona State
