[2024] Bronco Bits: WMU's Running Back (and Fullback) Room

[Jieret]

Because I guess I need to continue this now that I started it.

Previous Entries:

• QBs: https://www.simfba.com/topic/6434-2024-bronco-bits-wmus-quarterback-room/

 

Returning Players
4* (Jr) QB David Ponce de Leon - Scrambler A-/B+
3* Sr Richaun Allen - Balanced B+/C+
3* So Douglas Wrobel - Receiving B/B+
2* (Jr) Freddy Brothers - Power B-/B+
3* (So) Corey Carroll - Speed C+/B-
3* So Justin Godfrey - Balanced C/C

Incoming Players
4* Fr Carlo Liu - Balanced C/B-
0* Fr Oscar Alas - Balanced D/F

Departed Players (Graduation)
3* Korey Ortega - Speed B+/C
2* Charles Chealey - Power B-/B

2023 Season Stats
QB David Ponce de Leon - 117 rushes, 458 yards (3.91 YPC), 2 TDs, 2 Fumbles
Korey Ortega - 34 rushes, 146 yards (4.29), 1 TD
WR Chris Portis - 44 rushes, 160 yards (3.64 YPC)
WR Eli Madison - 3 rushes, 22 yards (7.33 YPC)
WR MarShon Bohanon - 2 rushes, 15 yards (7.50 YPC)
QB OG Torres - 3 rushes, 10 yards (3.33 YPC)

So in hindsight, it's obvious we should have called more WR Jet Sweeps.

Western Michigan RB Room Breakdown

Projected Starter: David Ponce de Leon - Not much to add to what was said in the QB Preview.  The hope is that he takes a big step forward after a year of experience receiving handoffs instead of giving them.  So far he's the clubhouse leader for most "best shape of his life" quotes from the coaching staff.

Sharing the load: Richaun Allen - When Ponce de Leon needs a spell, Allen looks to be next man up.  Allen does not have any standout tools, but the ability to do a bit of everything (including pass block) makes him a viable 3rd-down option.

Dark Horse: Douglas Wrobel - The true sophomore has pleasantly surprised the coaches with how natural he makes catching the ball look.  If he can improve the other facets of his game he could be in line for a larger share of snaps than originally expected.  Wrobel's also reportedly very excited about the offensive wrinkles installed during the offseason.

Redshirt Candidate: Carlo Liu - WMU's first blue chip RB that was recruited as an RB!  He's very likely to need some time to get used to the speed and physicality of the college game, so smart money says he wears the red shirt.

Notes on others:

Freddy Brothers - The QBs love him because he's the best pass blocking RB the Broncos have.  Unfortunately he hasn't impressed the coaches with much else, and he is an ill fit for Western's style of play.  He's the most likely  of the RBs to visit the transfer portal in our opinion.
Corey Carroll - Carroll has seen the majority of his playing time on special teams, and that's unlikely to change any time soon. 
Justin Godfrey - Like Carroll, Godfrey is primarily a special teamer.  The Broncos' RB coach has been trying to develop him past being a straight north-south plodder, but it's still a work in progress. 
Oscar Alas - He is going to become such a great veterinarian!

 

The Future at RB

The good news is that David Ponce de Leon looks ready to shoulder the workload this year and next.  The bad news is that WMU fans aren't expecting much from the group.  Or is that good news because it's hard to disappoint low expectations?
At first blush this group seems similar to the QB room in that there seems to be a straight line going from Ponce de Leon to Liu, the same way there's seemingly a succession plan of Willie Robinson to (potentially) Willis Humphrey.  But don't count out the possibility of Douglas Wrobel as a capable starter.
In any case it's no secret how pass-heavy the Broncos were, and unless they shock the world we don't expect that to change very much.  We haven't heard of any blue chip RBs getting WMU offers yet, so it seems the RB position may not be a position of emphasis in the upcoming recruiting cycle.  Hope Wrobel/Liu pans out, otherwise it could be very rough for the Broncos running game post-Ponce de Leon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonus!  The Fullback (room)

Incoming Players

2* Homero Velasquez - Balanced C/B+

Departing Players

3* Logan McDougle - Blocking B/C+

Stats

Don't you have to play to get stats?

Western Michigan FB (Room) Breakdown

Look someone has to wave that towel at the end of the bench, they don't just wave themselves you know

 

Edited March 14 by Jieret