BYU Football: 3 bold predictions for Cougars in October 2019

2. Emmanuel Esukpa set to break out and lead backfield

Entering the season, the graduate transfer running back that was supposed to make the most noise for BYU this season was Ty’Son Williams, the former South Carolina Gamecock star. Williams had a couple of solid games in victories against Tennessee and USC, nearly eclipsing the 100-yard mark in both games.

Then Williams suffered an ACL injury against Washington that took him out of the game and will keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

That opens the door for another graduate transfer to emerge as the lead running back for the Cougars this season. Emmanuel Esukpa, the former Rice running back, has scored touchdowns in each of his past two games against Washington and Toledo despite getting limited carries in both contests.

Esukpa looks ready to burst out over the next few weeks as the weather cools. South Florida concedes 140 yards per game on the ground, while Boise State gives up 127 rushing yards on average.

While Lopini Katoa will continue to get carries as well, Esukpa is quickly establishing himself as the feature back in the Cougars offense. That trend is going to continue over the next month as he embraces his starter status and gashes the Bulls and Broncos for a couple of triple-digit games.