Dixon

Position Breakdown - Runningback Outlook

Ben Tate was the primary running option in last years offense as he ran for a career highs of 1362 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was ultimately one of the most consistent play makers on offense taking pressure off the passing game and Chris Todd. The focus Malzahn's Auburn offense will once again be establishing a consistent running game to loosen up defenses and open up options for deep throws.

Mario Fanin is the obvious front runner to carry the majority of the carries in next years offense. Many questions surround Fanins ability to be a consistent runner in the SEC. Fanin has the size and explosiveness to be a good back in this offense as well as the duality as a passing game threat out in space. Fanin has consistently been a powerful runner who was not afraid of laying the lumber on the defender. He is extremely hard back to put on the ground and that leads me to one of the questions marks about his ability to be a productive back in the SEC. Fanin has shown a great deal of promise but durability may be the largest question I have. He has never taken over 100 carries in a season and while I do not question his toughness I wonder if he can hold up to the amount of hits he is going to be taking with high contact running style he employs. The idea that Fanin has a fumbling problem has also been raised in some circles but I feel those should be put to rest a little by the fact coaches reported he did not put the ball on the ground all Spring Practice. Fanin will undoubtedly have a majority of the carries this season should he stay healthy and have at least a 1000 yard season.

With the departure of Dontae Aycock the depth chart behind Fanin becomes even more fuzzy than before. McCalebb has made progress towards gaining weight and thus a little more durability that will be needed if expects to become more than a change of pace back in the SEC. His speed his speed gives him a game breaking kind of back but his tendency to run to much east and west may become an issue with faster defenses of the SEC. If McCalebb can get his weight up to around 175 to 185 pounds and work to improve as a north south runner he may have a good shot at an increased role this fall.

Eric Smith had some off the field issues last season but seems to have cleaned up his act. Though he may have has his hands full a bit more this season as he showed at several points last season that he can be a very valuable weapon in the passing game as well as a superb blocker. I believe he is better suited to stay at the H-Back position were he can continue to make a great contribution.

The wild card it seems comes in the form of Micheal Dyer. A 5'8" 208 pound freshman who has all the physical tools to be a stud runningback. With more than adequate speed to pull away from defenders and a very good explosion to the hole if he could break into a part time role as a freshman if the veterans ahead of him falter at all. Dyer is the kind of back that most coaches would love to have a good blend of speed and power with a good feel for catching the ball he is a great weapon. The only knocks I have on the young man is that he is a bit shorter than I'd like to see and he will definitely need to work on his pass protection as was evident in a large portion of the tape I saw on him.

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