Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Joey Meredith
Troy Football Breakdown – Running Backs
8/30/2021 4:27:00 PM | Football
One of the deepest rooms on the Troy squad, Troy's running backs have the perfect balance of youth and veteran leadership led by senior B.J. Smith and second-year freshman Kimani Vidal.
Smith, a former Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and Vidal, the first true freshman in school history to rush for 100 yards in consecutive games, are just two names in a room that could easily go six or seven players deep.
They Said It
Assistant Coach – Cole Weeks
"We're in a good spot coming out of fall camp. We have a lot of guys in our room who have played a lot of football in their careers. I think they all provide a different aspect of what they can do well on the field, but they all have very similar qualities at the same time. One may be more physical; one may be better in space and one may be better at making people miss. But there is enough diversity there that we can do a lot of different things from the position, but they are similar enough that our core offense stays the same and we don't miss a beat no matter who is in the game; our identity stays the same."
Players to Watch
Kimani Vidal and B.J. Smith figure to get the bulk of the carries after combining for 174 of the 268 touches by Troy running backs last season. Vidal averaged 57.3 yards per game and the Trojans were 5-1 when he carried the ball at least nine times. He ranked second nationally among freshmen backs and 21st overall averaging 3.83 yards after contact. Smith is two seasons removed from rushing for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018, but injuries have derailed his last two seasons. However, the veteran back has looked his usual self through Troy's first two scrimmages.
Redshirt freshman Jamontez Woods led all Troy running backs averaging 5.3 yards per carry last year and averaged 3.37 yards after contact, while DK Billingsley averaged 75.1 yards per game in 2019, filling in for the injured Smith.
"At the DI level, there are a lot of people who have talent and Kimani is no different but that's not what makes him special," Weeks said. "What makes him truly special is his mindset, his overall approach to the game of football. When he came here as a freshman last year, he carried himself like he'd been in the NFL for 10 years. He took care of his body, ate right, went to treatment, worked on extra mobility – all the little items that add up. He is extremely talented. He is explosive, is great at catching the ball out of the backfield, he makes people miss and what he does off the field to make himself ready mentally."
Position Notes
• Troy's running backs played a big part in Troy's passing game last year, combining for 68 receptions with 52 coming from Smith and Vidal while Woods added 13.
• Both Vidal and Smith changed numbers heading into the 2021 season. After five years in No. 26, Smith moved to No. 3 during fall camp, while Vidal switched from No. 23 to No. 0 during the spring.
• Vidal became the first true freshman since 2009 to rush for 100 yards in a game when he rushed for 106 yards against Texas State.
Parting Shot
When I started working with the running backs, I could immediately tell there was something different about BJ," Weeks said. "People draw to him because of his wisdom. His leadership on and off the field is immeasurable; it's amazing what he brings to this team."
Smith, a former Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and Vidal, the first true freshman in school history to rush for 100 yards in consecutive games, are just two names in a room that could easily go six or seven players deep.
They Said It
Assistant Coach – Cole Weeks
"We're in a good spot coming out of fall camp. We have a lot of guys in our room who have played a lot of football in their careers. I think they all provide a different aspect of what they can do well on the field, but they all have very similar qualities at the same time. One may be more physical; one may be better in space and one may be better at making people miss. But there is enough diversity there that we can do a lot of different things from the position, but they are similar enough that our core offense stays the same and we don't miss a beat no matter who is in the game; our identity stays the same."
Players to Watch
Kimani Vidal and B.J. Smith figure to get the bulk of the carries after combining for 174 of the 268 touches by Troy running backs last season. Vidal averaged 57.3 yards per game and the Trojans were 5-1 when he carried the ball at least nine times. He ranked second nationally among freshmen backs and 21st overall averaging 3.83 yards after contact. Smith is two seasons removed from rushing for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018, but injuries have derailed his last two seasons. However, the veteran back has looked his usual self through Troy's first two scrimmages.
Redshirt freshman Jamontez Woods led all Troy running backs averaging 5.3 yards per carry last year and averaged 3.37 yards after contact, while DK Billingsley averaged 75.1 yards per game in 2019, filling in for the injured Smith.
"At the DI level, there are a lot of people who have talent and Kimani is no different but that's not what makes him special," Weeks said. "What makes him truly special is his mindset, his overall approach to the game of football. When he came here as a freshman last year, he carried himself like he'd been in the NFL for 10 years. He took care of his body, ate right, went to treatment, worked on extra mobility – all the little items that add up. He is extremely talented. He is explosive, is great at catching the ball out of the backfield, he makes people miss and what he does off the field to make himself ready mentally."
Position Notes
• Troy's running backs played a big part in Troy's passing game last year, combining for 68 receptions with 52 coming from Smith and Vidal while Woods added 13.
• Both Vidal and Smith changed numbers heading into the 2021 season. After five years in No. 26, Smith moved to No. 3 during fall camp, while Vidal switched from No. 23 to No. 0 during the spring.
• Vidal became the first true freshman since 2009 to rush for 100 yards in a game when he rushed for 106 yards against Texas State.
Parting Shot
When I started working with the running backs, I could immediately tell there was something different about BJ," Weeks said. "People draw to him because of his wisdom. His leadership on and off the field is immeasurable; it's amazing what he brings to this team."
Players Mentioned
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16