Fresno State Athletics
Fall Camp 2024 Spotlight: Running Backs
8/18/2024 10:08:00 PM | Football
RUNNING BACKS OUTLOOK:
The Bulldogs' running back group lacked experience last year, but could have a breakout season on the gridiron in 2024.
Fresno State ranked 10th in the Mountain West in rushing offense in 2023, averaging just 105.5 yards per game. In his second year with the Bulldogs, running backs coach Aaron Prier is determined to improve those numbers. He believes that his group has always possessed a well-rounded skill set, but now, with added experience, they're ready to make a significant impact on the offense as potentially the deepest running back room in the conference.
The Bulldogs' top three running backs going into last season - Malik Sherrod, Elijah Gilliam and Devon Rivers - had only 109 combined carries in their careers.
They have 388 going into this season.
The room has seven returners headlined by Sherrod, a preseason All-Mountain West selection.
Who's back: Sherrod suffered an injury in the Bulldogs' season-opening victory at Purdue, did not play against Eastern Washington and was limited at Arizona State. But he still produced career highs with 172 rushing attempts, 966 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in nine starts. He gained 100 or more yards in four games, with a high of 138 at San Diego State. Sherrod ranked fourth in the Mountain West in rushing, and heads into the season as the second-leading returning rusher in the conference.
"His versatility sets him apart," says Prier. "We can use him in the backfield and he's great in pass protection. He's a smart player. In position group meetings, he's like a second coach. We can count on him to do whatever we ask of him."Â
Elijah Gilliam filled in for Sherrod early in the season a year ago, but remained a key piece in an offense that averaged 30.5 points per game. He earned the nickname "Third-and-Gilliam," as the Bulldogs' go-to back for short-yardage plays. He had nine carries on 3rd-and-short during the season and produced nine first downs, averaging 4.2 yards per play. Gilliam appeared in all 13 games with four starts, racking up 397 yards and five touchdowns on 95 carries. Gilliam added 11 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown.
"He was 100 percent on our third-and-short plays so we call him third-and-Gilliam", said Prier, "but he can play any role. He's not just a short yardage guy and you're going to see that this season."
Johnathan Arceneaux, who has battled injuries throughout his career, has an opportunity to have a breakout season after a promising spring and fall.
"After Malik, we are trying to figure out who is going to be the next 'juice guy' with speed," says Prier. "We call them 'game breakers', who can give us long explosive runs. We think that Johnathan could possibly be that for us. It's just about getting him those reps. We are excited to see how he can contribute."
Rivers, Brandon Ramirez and Charles Greer Jr. utilized their redshirt seasons in 2023. Valley native Ryan Warkentin also returns as a third-year player.Â
Rivers saw the most action among the group, playing in three games and recording 12 carries for 44 yards. He has shown the potential to not only make a bigger impact on the run game this season but also to contribute significantly as a returner on special teams.
Who's new: The room adds one true freshman in Bryson Donelson.
The three-star recruit graduated from Central Valley Christian High in Visalia and as a senior last season was the Tri-County Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-State selection, helping lead Central Valley Christian to the 2023 Central Section DII Championship.
Donelson led the state in total touchdowns with 58 in 2023, scoring with 366 points, as well as rushing yards with 3,297.
What to watch: Sherrod has a chance to become only the second Fresno State running back since 2014 to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season - Jordan Mims gained 1,370 in 2022 - and also is a dynamic weapon in the passing game. Sherrod last season accounted for 44 receptions, the most by a Bulldogs' running back since Josh Quezada had 51 in 2013.
The 5-foot-8 back accounted for 60.4% of the rushing plays by a running back a year ago and could carry a heavier load this season. But Fresno State does have an extremely deep running backs room, loaded with young talent. Gilliam figures to be a factor on short-yardage and inside the red zone. Arceneaux, after a strong spring and fall camp, is looking for an opportunity.
The competition for those carries will be there throughout the season.
Â
The Bulldogs' running back group lacked experience last year, but could have a breakout season on the gridiron in 2024.
Fresno State ranked 10th in the Mountain West in rushing offense in 2023, averaging just 105.5 yards per game. In his second year with the Bulldogs, running backs coach Aaron Prier is determined to improve those numbers. He believes that his group has always possessed a well-rounded skill set, but now, with added experience, they're ready to make a significant impact on the offense as potentially the deepest running back room in the conference.
The Bulldogs' top three running backs going into last season - Malik Sherrod, Elijah Gilliam and Devon Rivers - had only 109 combined carries in their careers.
They have 388 going into this season.
The room has seven returners headlined by Sherrod, a preseason All-Mountain West selection.
Who's back: Sherrod suffered an injury in the Bulldogs' season-opening victory at Purdue, did not play against Eastern Washington and was limited at Arizona State. But he still produced career highs with 172 rushing attempts, 966 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in nine starts. He gained 100 or more yards in four games, with a high of 138 at San Diego State. Sherrod ranked fourth in the Mountain West in rushing, and heads into the season as the second-leading returning rusher in the conference.
"His versatility sets him apart," says Prier. "We can use him in the backfield and he's great in pass protection. He's a smart player. In position group meetings, he's like a second coach. We can count on him to do whatever we ask of him."Â
Elijah Gilliam filled in for Sherrod early in the season a year ago, but remained a key piece in an offense that averaged 30.5 points per game. He earned the nickname "Third-and-Gilliam," as the Bulldogs' go-to back for short-yardage plays. He had nine carries on 3rd-and-short during the season and produced nine first downs, averaging 4.2 yards per play. Gilliam appeared in all 13 games with four starts, racking up 397 yards and five touchdowns on 95 carries. Gilliam added 11 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown.
"He was 100 percent on our third-and-short plays so we call him third-and-Gilliam", said Prier, "but he can play any role. He's not just a short yardage guy and you're going to see that this season."
Johnathan Arceneaux, who has battled injuries throughout his career, has an opportunity to have a breakout season after a promising spring and fall.
"After Malik, we are trying to figure out who is going to be the next 'juice guy' with speed," says Prier. "We call them 'game breakers', who can give us long explosive runs. We think that Johnathan could possibly be that for us. It's just about getting him those reps. We are excited to see how he can contribute."
Rivers, Brandon Ramirez and Charles Greer Jr. utilized their redshirt seasons in 2023. Valley native Ryan Warkentin also returns as a third-year player.Â
Rivers saw the most action among the group, playing in three games and recording 12 carries for 44 yards. He has shown the potential to not only make a bigger impact on the run game this season but also to contribute significantly as a returner on special teams.
Who's new: The room adds one true freshman in Bryson Donelson.
The three-star recruit graduated from Central Valley Christian High in Visalia and as a senior last season was the Tri-County Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-State selection, helping lead Central Valley Christian to the 2023 Central Section DII Championship.
Donelson led the state in total touchdowns with 58 in 2023, scoring with 366 points, as well as rushing yards with 3,297.
What to watch: Sherrod has a chance to become only the second Fresno State running back since 2014 to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season - Jordan Mims gained 1,370 in 2022 - and also is a dynamic weapon in the passing game. Sherrod last season accounted for 44 receptions, the most by a Bulldogs' running back since Josh Quezada had 51 in 2013.
The 5-foot-8 back accounted for 60.4% of the rushing plays by a running back a year ago and could carry a heavier load this season. But Fresno State does have an extremely deep running backs room, loaded with young talent. Gilliam figures to be a factor on short-yardage and inside the red zone. Arceneaux, after a strong spring and fall camp, is looking for an opportunity.
The competition for those carries will be there throughout the season.
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