Former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s historic final season in college led the Broncos to their second-straight Mountain West Championship and a bye in the first 12-team playoff in NCAA history.
Jeanty racked up 2,601 rushing yards, which ranked No. 2 in FBS single-season history and was just 28 yards short of surpassing legendary running back Barry Sanders. The Raiders picked Jeanty No. 6 overall in the NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted running back in Mountain West history. He’s the second-highest drafted player in conference history, following former Utah quarterback Alex Smith, who went No. 1 overall in 2005.
It’s hard to imagine another Mountain West running back putting up those kinds of numbers anytime soon, but here are a few who could end up competing for the conference’s rushing title this year.
Bryson Donelson, Fresno State
Fellow running back Elijah Gilliam decided to transfer, so Donelson will carry the load this fall. He came on strong late last season and was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher in their final three games, including the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The 5-foot-11, 207-pound sophomore burst onto the scene with a career-best 140 rushing yards and a touchdown against Colorado State. He followed that with 41 yards on six carries against UCLA and 82 yards and a touchdown against Northern Illinois in the bowl game.
Scottre Humphrey, New Mexico
Humphrey couldn’t be stopped last season at FCS contender Montana State. He posted 1,386 rushing yards, which ranks No. 5 all-time in the Bobcats’ history for a single season. His 24 rushing touchdowns the past two seasons ranks No. 7 all-time at Montana State. Humphrey followed former Idaho head coach Jason Eck to New Mexico, where he’ll likely be the centerpiece of an offense replacing dynamic quarterback Devon Dampier (Utah), running back Eli Sanders (USC), and leading receiver Luke Wysong (Arizona).
Sire Gaines, Boise State
Gaines was explosive when healthy last season. He burst onto the scene in the Broncos’ season-opener at Georgia Southern, posting 110 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards, and two touchdowns while earning Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors. Two weeks later, he suffered a season-ending injury. The 6-foot, 209-pound redshirt freshman is physical and explosive. He very well could be the Broncos’ next star running back, and he’s running behind one of the best offensive lines in the Mountain West. His biggest hurdle may be getting enough carries in a backfield that also includes Jambres Dubar, Dylan Riley, and former Fresno State running back Malik Sherrod.
Jai’Den Thomas, UNLV
Thomas made the most of his opportunities last season as part of a crowded backfield that also included Greg Burrell, Kylin James, and mobile quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams. He led the team with 918 rushing yards and racked up seven rushing touchdowns. Burrell, James, and Williams are all gone, but UNLV brought in former Penn State and Mississippi State running back Keyvone Lee. Thomas earned the nickname “Jet” because of his speed, but how the carries break down will determine a lot.
Floyd Chalk IV, San Jose State
Chalk was kind of the forgotten man in the conversation about the top running backs in the conference last season, but he quietly put together a solid year. He posted a career-high 721 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Chalk and sophomore Lamar Ratcliffe should split carries this year in an offense that has to replace its top two receivers, Nick Nash and Justin Lockhart.
