Football season preview: Running Backs
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – For a program that has made a name for itself by running the football, the Bryant University football team enters 2017 looking to prove that last season was just a one-time thing.
This is the seventh of an eight-part season preview for the Bryant football team. BryantBulldogs.com previewed the special teams on Thursday, the defensive backs on Friday, the linebackers on Saturday, the defensive line on Sunday, the offensive line/tight ends on Monday and the wide receivers on Tuesday. It will also preview the quarterbacks leading up to the season opener on Sept. 2.
The Bulldogs averaged just 77.3 yards per game on the ground last season, the lowest number in program history. Bolstered by the return of its leading rusher from a season ago, and a solid group of fresh faces, Bryant running backs coach Eric Bunker is excited for what the group can accomplish.
"We have a very hard working group," Bunker said. "They've really embraced their roles in this new offense and it will be very fun to see what they can do this year."
Leading the way will be junior Brenden Femiano (Northport, N.Y.), a 6-foot, 209-pounder that showed he could be an elite back last fall. He started the season with 10 carries for 98 yards and two scores but a horse collar tackle in week 2 sidelined him for the next four weeks. Femiano went on to finish the year with 366 yards and four touchdowns on 80 carries.
The experience at the position starts and ends there, however, as Femiano is the only running back or fullback listed on the roster that has earned a carry in a varsity contest. That doesn't mean there isn't talent though. The Black and Gold are excited about a group that includes senior Jake Wiswall (Great River, N.Y.), sophomores Hayden Panagos (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Jake Keenan (Tyngsborough, Mass.) and freshmen Alfred Dorbor (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Isaac McCray (Middletown, R.I.).
"Hayden had an excellent spring and fall camp and you can tell right away that he is the son of a football coach," Bunker said. "Jake does all the right things and is very smart, Wiz sets a great example of what hard work is, Dorbor is our strongest running back in the weight room and Isaac had a great camp and we're very excited about his abilities."
Panagos didn't appear in a game for the Bulldogs last season but at 6-1, 229, he has the chance to be a big part of the Bryant offense this fall. Wiswall exemplifies hard work and gives the Bulldogs versatility after switching from a linebacker to a RB/FB in the spring.
And while Femiano will most likely get the majority of carries, Keenan, Dorbor, and McCray all give the Black and Gold options. Keenan started his career as a DB but has moved to running back this year. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in high school, including 1,500 as a senior.
The two most intriguing players in the group both call Rhode Island home. Dorbor was the 2014 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year after rushing for 1,305 yards and 26 touchdowns at Saint Raphael's. A prep year at Blair Academy followed before a foot injury ended his true freshman season before it was even able to begin last fall. McCray, the younger brother of former Bulldog running back Rico McCray, brings the same type of game-changing ability although it might not be fully developed yet. He set St. Georges School records in scoring (358 points), rushing yards (3.661), touchdowns (58) and all-purpose yards (5,051).
"Since January this group has been working their tail off to prepare for this season on the field, in the weight room, and in the film room," Bunker said. "The first game can't come soon enough and this group is pumped to get started."