Iowa spring football position series, Part 4: Running backs and fullbacks
IOWA CITY, Iowa – For the second consecutive year, Iowa is losing a highly-respected and productive senior leader at running back.
Jordan Canzeri was Iowa’s leading rusher last season, but is now focused on trying to make an NFL roster.
His loss will be felt on and off the field. But there is plenty of depth and experience in the backfield to fill Canzeri’s void.
It was the same as last year when Iowa had to replace Mark Weisman, who led the team in rushing as a senior in 2014 and in the previous two seasons before that.
LeShun Daniels Jr., is now the senior leader and sits atop the depth chart this spring, ahead of junior Akrum Wadley. Each brings a wealth of experience and a different running style to the position.
Derrick Mitchell, Jr., who switched from receiver to running back prior to the 2015 season, joins them as the only proven pass-catcher and third-down option out of the backfield.
Daniels and Wadley both missed action last season due to injury, but when healthy showed flashes of brilliance, combining for over 1,100 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
That includes Wadley’s career-high 204-yard performance in a victory against Northwestern in which he also scored four touchdowns, tying the single-game record at Iowa. Wadley entered the game in the first quarter after Canzeri suffered an ankle injury and didn’t return.
Daniels also had a career-high rushing performance last season, gaining 195 yards during a 40-35 victory against Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium. The 225-pound Daniels runs with more power than Wadley, who is more dangerous in space.
Replacing a workhorse and emotional leader like Canzeri is always tough. But Daniels and Wadley both have proven they can fill the void.
“We still have a ways to go, but obviously it’s early,” Daniels said. “We’re still filling in pieces from last year on the offensive line, tight end, receiver and obviously the running back position, but we’re making progress.
“Each day we just continue to get better and as we mesh throughout spring ball we need to keep this momentum going into summer and into fall camp and obviously through the season.”
Wadley has helped his cause by gaining weight and strength. The New Jersey native now weighs almost 190 pounds.
"And it’s been consistent, so that’s a positive," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.
It remains to be seen whether Iowa will rely mostly on one running back as the season progresses or on a running back by-committee approach.
Iowa hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Marcus Coker rambled for 1,384 yards in 2011.
Either way, barring any injuries or unforeseen circumstances, the running back position appears to be a strength for Iowa heading into the fall.
Replacing Plewa and Cox: As offenses continue to evolve more into spread formations, the number of teams using a fullback continues to shrink.
Iowa is one of few teams that still utilizes a fullback in its offense, mostly as a blocker.
Iowa fans will have to get used to a couple of new faces opening up lanes for the running backs this fall. Drake Kulick and converted linebacker Brady Ross will replace hard-nosed fullbacks Macon Plewa and Adam Cox.
Plewa and Cox both used up their eligibility last season after being interchangeable and consistent contributors for most of the past three seasons.
Fullback, much like the offensive line, is a tough and often thankless job with a steep learning curve and it takes an unselfish person to play the position.
Kulick and Ross will try to carry on the tradition of toughness, physicality and leadership that Plewa and Cox brought to the position.
“I think you just have to love football,” Ross said. “That’s more or less what I’ve always been about. I’ve always said I would kill to play this game whether it was in Kinnick or my backyard ever since I was little. That’s what the fullback position is all about, not a lot of glory but as long as you love the game of football and love what you’re doing it’s a whole lot of fun.
“Certainly Plewa and Cox and even before them, Brett Morse was a big idol of mine growing up. I looked up to those guys, all those older guys, just a great group of seniors.”
RB LeShun Daniels 6-0, 225, Sr., Warren, Ohio; Akrum Wadley 5-11, 190, Jr., Newark, N.J.
FB Drake Kulick 6-1, 236, Jr., Muscatine, Iowa; Brady Ross 6-1, 240, Fr., Humboldt, Iowa
Other returning running backs
Derrick Mitchell 6-1, 200, Jr., St. Louis, Mo.
Marcel Joly 5-11, 195, Soph., Hyattsville, Md.
Eric Graham 5-9, 195, Fr., Prattville, Ala.
2016 running back recruits
Toks Akrinibade 6-0, 205, Brownsburg, Ind.
Toren Young 5-11, 220, Madison, Wis.