AAC Spring Practice: Biggest Questions for Each Team

Dec 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds (19) drops back against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first quarter in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Navy Midshipmen

Biggest Question: Who steps up in the running back positions to carry on the Navy option tradition?

The Midshipmen are getting set to enter their first year in the American Athletic Conference after an 8-5 2014 campaign as an independent, and it really could not come at a much more inconvenient time.

The triple-option football team has to replace its starting fullback, Noah Copeland, and it’s two starting running backs, Geoffrey Whiteside and Ryan Williams-Jenkins. Fortunately, quarterback Keenan Reynolds is back, and he was the leading rusher, and Chris Swain has been serviceable as the backup fullback. But how he performs full-time is still a huge question mark.

Meanwhile, the backup running backs were littered with underclassmen, including Dishan Romine, Toneo Gulley, Calvin Cass, Jr., Demond Brown, and DeBrandon Sanders. A couple of guys have got to step up, and this is a huge positions.

Running backs in this system have to be successful blockers, understand the complexity of the offense, and be reliable targets for the quarterback if he has to make a play. Somebody is going to have to surface in the spring to prove he can do all of those things. Actually, at least two people are going to have to surface.

Otherwise, the offense could have a bit of a drop off.

Next: SMU Mustangs Spring Practice