The running back position remains one of the most important pieces of any successful football team. A strong backfield can control the tempo of a game, protect a quarterback, create explosive plays, and provide an offense with balance. Heading into the 2026 season, this running back room features a combination of experienced veterans, talented transfers, and promising young players competing for opportunities.

The group brings a variety of skill sets, including physical inside runners, versatile offensive weapons, and developing young talent. With multiple players capable of contributing in different roles, the competition throughout preseason camp will be one of the most intriguing position battles to follow.

No. 9 D’Shawntae Jones

Running Back | Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 5’10” Weight: 248 lbs Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio High School: Glenville

D’Shawntae Jones enters the 2026 season as one of the most physically imposing running backs on the roster. At 5-foot-10 and 248 pounds, Jones brings a powerful running style built around strength, toughness, and the ability to consistently gain yards after contact.

A product of Cleveland’s Glenville High School, Jones has the type of size and physicality that makes him a natural fit for short-yardage situations and late-game carries when a team needs tough yards. His ability to run between the tackles gives the offense a different element and provides a downhill presence in the backfield.

Strengths:

• Excellent size and power
• Strong between-the-tackles runner
• Difficult to bring down in traffic
• Potential short-yardage and goal-line weapon

Areas for Improvement:

• Improving burst through running lanes
• Developing consistency in pass protection
• Becoming a bigger factor in the passing game

If Jones continues to develop his overall skill set, he has the potential to become one of the team’s most reliable offensive weapons.

No. 5 Rodney Nelson

Running Back | Redshirt Junior

Height: 5’8” Weight: 195 lbs Hometown: Owings, Maryland High School: Franklin Previous School: Monmouth

Rodney Nelson brings experience and versatility to the running back room after beginning his collegiate career at Monmouth. His previous college experience gives him valuable knowledge of the demands required to compete at the next level.

At 5-foot-8 and 195 pounds, Nelson is a smaller, quicker back who can create plays with his athleticism, vision, and ability to change direction. His lower center of gravity allows him to make defenders miss and gives him the ability to be effective in space.

Nelson’s versatility could make him a valuable option in multiple offensive packages, especially in situations that require a back who can contribute as both a runner and receiver.

Strengths:

• Quick acceleration
• Good lateral movement
• Experience against college competition
• Versatility as an offensive weapon

Areas for Improvement:

• Consistency as a runner
• Competing for touches in a deep backfield
• Continued development in pass protection

Nelson’s experience and skill set give him a strong opportunity to earn meaningful playing time in 2026.

No. 20 Cade Yacamelli

Running Back | Redshirt Senior

Height: 6’0” Weight: 219 lbs Hometown: Trafford, Pennsylvania High School: Penn-Trafford Previous School: Wisconsin

Cade Yacamelli enters the 2026 season as one of the most experienced players in the running back group. After spending time in the Wisconsin program, Yacamelli brings Power Four experience, football maturity, and familiarity with high-level competition.

Standing 6-foot and weighing 219 pounds, Yacamelli has the ideal build for a complete running back. He combines size, athleticism, and versatility while possessing the ability to contribute in multiple offensive situations.

His veteran presence could be extremely valuable for a talented but competitive position group. Whether it is running the football, catching passes, or helping younger players adjust, Yacamelli brings leadership both on and off the field.

Strengths:

• Big Ten experience
• Strong football IQ
• Good combination of size and athleticism
• Ability to contribute in multiple roles

Areas for Improvement:

• Adjusting to a new offensive system
• Creating more explosive plays
• Separating himself in a crowded competition

Yacamelli’s experience makes him one of the key players to watch as the team looks to establish its running back rotation.

No. 22 Chancellor Sparks

Running Back | Freshman

Height: 5’9” Weight: 180 lbs Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama High School: A.H. Parker

Freshman running back Chancellor Sparks represents the next wave of talent in the position group. Coming from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Sparks enters college football looking to earn a role while continuing to develop his game.

At 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Sparks brings athleticism, quickness, and playmaking ability. Younger running backs often make their biggest impact through speed and explosiveness, and Sparks has the tools to eventually become a dynamic offensive option.

Strengths:

• Athletic ability
• Quickness and acceleration
• Big-play potential
• Room to develop

Areas for Improvement:

• Adjusting to college football speed
• Adding strength
• Learning pass protection responsibilities

Sparks has the talent to become an important part of the program’s future.

No. 25 Ike Steward

Running Back | Freshman

Height: 5’11” Weight: 225 lbs Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan High School: Mona Shores

Ike Steward enters the program with an impressive physical profile for a freshman running back. At 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, Steward already has the size and strength needed to compete at the collegiate level.

Coming from Mona Shores High School in Michigan, Steward brings the profile of a physical runner who can handle contact and provide another option in short-yardage situations.

His development will be one of the storylines to monitor as he adjusts to the college game and competes against experienced players.

Strengths:

• Strong physical frame
• Power running ability
• Ability to break tackles
• Potential short-yardage option

Areas for Improvement:

• Improving vision and patience
• Developing receiving skills
• Adjusting to college-level defenses

Steward has the physical tools to become a valuable contributor as his career progresses.

No. 21 Lazaro Rogers

Running Back | Sophomore

Height: 5’10” Weight: 200 lbs Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida High School: East Lee County Previous School: Northern Illinois

Lazaro Rogers adds additional experience and competition to the running back room after beginning his career at Northern Illinois.

At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Rogers brings a balanced skill set that allows him to contribute as both an inside runner and an outside playmaker. His previous college experience gives him an advantage as he transitions into a new program.

Rogers has the opportunity to compete for playing time immediately and could become an important piece of the rotation.

Strengths:

• Previous FBS experience
• Balanced skill set
• Athletic ability
• Understanding of college football demands

Areas for Improvement:

• Learning the offensive system
• Building chemistry with teammates
• Creating consistent explosive plays

Rogers’ experience and versatility make him an intriguing option heading into the season.

2026 Running Back Position Outlook

The 2026 running back room features a strong mix of veterans, transfers, and young talent. The combination of size, experience, and versatility gives the coaching staff plenty of options when designing the offensive attack.

D’Shawntae Jones provides a powerful downhill running presence. Rodney Nelson offers quickness and versatility. Cade Yacamelli brings veteran leadership and Power Four experience. Lazaro Rogers adds another experienced option with FBS background. Chancellor Sparks and Ike Steward represent the future of the position.

The biggest question entering the season will be how the carries are distributed. With several capable players competing for snaps, the offense has the opportunity to use a committee approach and take advantage of each player’s strengths.

A successful running back group does not always depend on one star player—it depends on having multiple players who can handle different responsibilities. This roster appears built for that type of approach.

Conclusion: A Backfield Built on Competition and Versatility

The 2026 running back room enters the season with a rare combination of experience, physicality, and potential. The presence of veteran players gives the group stability, while younger backs provide athletic upside and long-term development potential.

The competition throughout preseason camp should push every player to improve and will ultimately determine the roles within the offense. The coaching staff has several options, whether it needs a power runner to finish drives, a quick back to create explosive plays, or a versatile player who can contribute in multiple phases.

If this group can remain healthy, improve in pass protection, and consistently create opportunities in the running game, the running back position has the potential to become one of the team’s biggest strengths in 2026.

With a deep and talented group of backs, the challenge will not be finding players capable of contributing—it will be finding the right combination to maximize the talent available. The competition should make the entire unit better and could give the offense one of its most reliable weapons heading into the season.