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SALT LAKE CITY — Replacing the production of Utah's all-time leading rusher, Zack Moss, will be no small task, particularly in a year with no spring workouts and a very delayed start to the season.
Utah's offense under Moss was instantly better when he was on the field. His ability to steamroll opponents and pick up extra yards, to say nothing of his pass-catching ability or his insistence on being able to set a block to protect his quarterback, will be difficult to replace overnight.
The Miami native capped off Utah's sixth straight season where the team's featured back rushed for over 1,000 yards, and the eighth in the last nine seasons — 2013 missed the mark with Bubba Poole and Kelvin York splitting reps, though the two combined for 1,070 yards.
Despite the change of guard at the position and the limited practices to work out a formalized depth chart, Utah's coaching staff is confident they have the guys they needs in the backfield to push for a seventh straight season with a 1,000-yard rusher — it's just a question of who will emerge before Utah welcomes Arizona to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Nov. 7 in the season opener.
"Zack did a lot of things here, so the shoes are pretty large to fill. But here at the University of Utah, it's always been next man up mentality," running back coach Kiel McDonald said. "These guys are supremely talented individuals that we've handpicked to play here at the University of Utah, so I think that they're ready for the challenge.
"They've got to go out there and get their feet wet and really have a good understanding of what it is to be the guy — the guy shows up every day, day in, day out on game day, banged up, bruised, separated shoulders, whatever it may be, you've got to be able to show up. And I think those guys have that understanding. They want that challenge, they feel like they can carry the load, and I'm looking forward to them being able to do so."
The two leading candidates are familiar faces who got some playing time behind Moss in 2019: junior Devin Brumfield, who rushed for 263 yards and two touchdowns; and sophomore Jordan Wilmore, who managed 194 yards and one touchdown in a combined 108 attempts last season. And then it's freshman Ty Jordan and redshirt freshman Micah Bernard, according to head coach Kyle Whittingham.
McDonald previously said junior TJ Green was in the mix for playing time, but Whittingham said after the team's first scrimmage of the season Saturday that Green "didn't have quite the production the other guys did in this game; although, he did some good things as well."
Brumfield is the "big, powerful back that has shown that he can make some plays in the Pac-12" and the one with the most playing experience in the running back room. But Wilmore showed glimpses of similarities to Moss in the limited reps he got as a true freshman and will be a strong contender for whatever role Utah has him play.
"For me, it's just making sure I do what I have to do to show the coaches that I can be that guy for them this year," Brumfield said. "I know the competition's strong in the room, so I know that I can't take a step backward any day. So, I know every day that I have to come out and give it my best and I have to prove to the coach that I'm available and I can get the job done."
Young guys Bernard and Jordan have been pushing for minutes as well. McDonald and Whittingham have both singled out Jordan as someone that "will have a role" on the team this year in an already strong fall camp showing. But extended playing minutes for the two freshmen will come down to consistency in the run game.
Whittingham said Monday there are no set plans as to how they'll use the backs, though it's "probably" better to have one leading the charge for the offense. Still, the offense will use the talents of each in whatever capacity is needed.
"We'll just have to see which way it goes," Whittingham said. "I think, ideally, if you have a lead back that's probably a better situation, but it doesn't have to be that way. As long as you're getting production of the run game that you need, whether that's by one guy primarily or two or three guys contributing, I don't think that's really a big concern. So, we'll just continue to get them all reps and see if we can get some separation, or see if there is any separation, and then go from there."
"We're gonna do what's best for a team," McDonald added. "If I've got two guys that can help us win games, they'll help us split the load if that's what it calls for. If I've got three guys, then three guys will play — whatever is going to be earned. If one guy continues to separate himself from the pack, then that guy's going to be the bell cow for the Utes. I know the Utes have had bell cows before for a long time, but again, it's going to be what's best for this offense and what's going to fit each individual's skill set."
Figuring out that system and how each player fits within it will be "a real challenge for us," Brumfield said, but there's enough talent in the room to feel confident in whatever happens. "We know we've had a great back for the last several years, and we all want to be that guy. So the competition is high, and we're just going out there putting our best on the field every day."
McDonald said that whatever the system will be, it'll be based on the players' understanding of their role and how each works within that system.
"First and foremost, it's not about the individual; it's about the team, and we have to have a strong understanding of that in the room," McDonald said. "When it comes to the touches, those guys will earn their touches — everything is earned, nothing's given here at the University of Utah, so you get what you are. You might not be happy about it, but you need to understand it.
"I think there's a very clear communication in the running back room because there are so many guys that can play, that can help. Some guys might have packages; some guys might get three, four players; some guys might get 20 carriers; some guys might get seven catches. Whatever your role is, you need to be able to attack your role and understand your role."
So, what will it take for it take to get on the field at Utah? Consistency, "ball skills" and the ability to block for the quarterback.
"I'm going to look for guys to give me consistency — consistency with the reads, consistently making plays. At the end of the day, you have to be able to make a play for the Utes, especially when things break down. I'm looking for ball skills, as well," McDonald said. "And also, you've got to be able to block. We've got to be able to keep the quarterback upright, so we're looking for guys to be able to put their face on a defender and be able to control.
"Guys have just gotta go out there and play the game like they know how — they've been playing this game for a very, very long time, so I'm looking for them to go ahead and excel and make some plays and be explosive."
