FOOTBALL TEAM PREVIEW: Running Backs

Whomever takes the snaps for the Tigers, they won’t have a shortage of running backs to hand off to as their top three rushers all return. For the third straight year, the unit will receive instructions from a new voice in the room as Larry Warner is the new running backs coach.

“This is a very talented and experienced group as most of them have been with me since 2019,” said McKinney. “They understand what’s expected of them from the position, especially from a protection standpoint. They all bring something a little bit different to the table. You have LaDarius Owens, who’s a scatback and our leading rusher followed by a couple of power guys in Jacorey Howard and Dominic Franklin. They all can get the job done and I feel really good about them as we want them to build on those things which will make our offense even more exciting.”

Owens, who was the second-leading rusher on the team behind quarterback Andrew Body, is back for his junior season and is poised for another breakout season. He rushed for 624 yards and five touchdowns last season while also compiling a pair of big games with 170-plus yards on the ground against Jackson State and Alabama A&M. Also back is junior Jacorey Howard, a power back who had a team-best seven rushing touchdowns and Dominic Franklin, another big back that has the ability to wear opposing defenses down. Returnee Kevin Harris also adds depth as he saw a considerable amount of action last fall.