Spring Outlook: The Running Backs

AMES, Iowa - Spring practice officially begins tomorrow. Here is a look at the running backs.

Running Backs

Synopsis
For the second season in a row, the Cyclones boasted a freshman running back who led the team in rushing. The good news for Cyclone fans is that both of those players - Mike Warren (6-0, 205, Jr.#, Lawton, Okla.) and David Montgomery (5-11, 222, So., Cincinnati, Ohio) - return, providing the team with high-caliber experience heading into 2017.

The Cyclones will also add into the mix Kene Nwangwu (6-1, 188, So., Frisco, Texas), who also recorded a number of significant carries, but made a name for himself as one of the best kickoff returners in the nation as a true freshman a year ago. Unfortunately, Nwangwu ruptured his achilles tendon in winter workouts and will be sidelined this spring.

Warren had a ton of hype to live up to after being named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2015 when he led all FBS rookies in rushing with 1,339 yards.

Unfortunately, Warren suffered from an up-and-down season in 2016 with injuries playing a big role in his decreased production. He still managed to rush for 559 yards while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He also had two 100-yard rushing games, including a season-high 130 vs. Baylor.

With injuries piling up on Warren, Montgomery took over as the main Cyclone ball-carrier in the final four games of the season. The true freshman responded in a big way by rushing for 385 of his team-high 563 yards in the last four games.

Montgomery, who was named to a number of freshman All-America teams, was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week recipient after rushing for a season-high 169 yards in ISU's come-from-behind win at Kansas. It was the fifth-best rookie rushing effort in school history.

Montgomery tacked on another 100-yard game (141) in the season-finale vs. West Virginia and ended the season with a team-best 5.2 yards per carry average. He also had the two longest rushes of the season with a pair of 46-yard dashes.

Nwangwu rushed for 133 yards last year while providing depth at running back. Nwangwu ranked in the top-20 nationally in kickoff return average at 26.35, the third-best clip in school history. He electrified the Cyclone crowd in the last game of the season (West Virginia) when he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a TD, the third-longest return in ISU history.

Sheldon Croney Jr. (5-11, 205, So.#, Bakersfield, Calif.) also returns for the Cyclones.

Campbell On The Running Backs
"The running back spot I think is maybe one of our best. There is tremendous competition. We finally have some great depth and competition there. We saw some great positives out of David Montgomery late in the year. He now has to take his game to another level. We had success late in the year, and David was a key piece of that success. We are also looking for Kene Nwangwu to become a complete back, a guy that can catch the ball and block. We need to figure out how to use Kene effectively within our offense, utilize his traits and enhance what those traits are. I think you saw a guy that has really raw, unlimited potential. We need to continue to tap into that potential. Mike Warren went through some highs and lows last year. It wasn't the perfect season for Mike, but we know what he can do. We look for more growth out of Mike going into the spring and obviously into the fall."

Players Mentioned

Sheldon Croney Jr.

David Montgomery

Kene Nwangwu

Mike Warren

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