Pittsburgh Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Running Back

Starting running back: Qadree Ollison
Backups: Darrin Hall/Chawntez Moss

The running back position is probably the position that took the heaviest loss. With the departure of running back James Conner, lose their leading rusher (1,092) and total touchdown leader (20). However, with the return of Qadree Ollison things might just be changing for the better.

Ollison only had 127 rushing yards on 33 attempts but he once had a starting role. In 2015, he started in the absence of James Conner. In 2015, Ollison had 212 carries for 1,121 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in a starting role. He was fourth in the ACC in rushing yards and seventh in rushing touchdowns that year.

It will be interesting to see how Ollison fares as the feature back again. While he is the starter, it will be hard to keep the running backs behind him off the field too.

Darrin Hall and Chawntez Moss are listed at the backup running back position. Hall made 12 appearances last season as a reserve running back. He is listed as a junior.

Moss is currently listed third but its hard to ignore he played in 10 games as a true freshman last season. He had 227 rushing yards, well over Ollison’s season total, in 2016. It would be a waste to keep him off the field any less in 2017.