Position Preview: Running Backs
8/24/2023 6:38:00 PM | Football
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Chippewas return one-two punch in juniors Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey; Missouri transfer B.J. Harris adds depth to a deep, talented, and experienced running back unit.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan returns seven running backs to an experienced unit for the 2023 season, led by juniors Marion Lukes, Myles Bailey, Sam Hicks, and Missouri transfer B.J. Harris. Several other backs played roles as backups and in special teams, such as sophomores Christian Brown, Jake Tafelski, and Tyler Dewitt.
The running backs are coached by Cornell Jackson, who enters his fifth year at CMU.
RUNNING BACKS PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
26 | Myles Bailey | 5-10 | 225 | Jr. | North Brunswick, N.J.
27 | Sam Hicks | 5-9 | 185 | Jr. | Fort Worth, Texas
28 | B.J. Harris | 5-9 | 205 | Jr. | Chattanooga, Tenn.
9 | Marion Lukes | 5-9 | 200 | Jr. | Charlestown, Ind.
36 | Christian Brown | 5-11 | 215 | R-So. | Temperance, Mich.
23 | Jake Tafelski | 6-0 | 220 | R-So. | Dearborn, Mich.
39 | Tyler DeWitt | 5-11 | 195 | So. | Comstock Park, Mich.
46 | Germanuel Tanelus | 5-10 | 200 | R-Fr. | North Lauderdale, Fla.
4 | Jakivion Calip | 5-11 | 190 | Fr. | Lewis Center, Ohio
24 | Mekhi Jenkins | 5-9 | 190 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.
With Lew Nichols headed off to the NFL, Lukes looks to step up as one of the team's primary backs after serving as one of Nichols' primary backups last season. With just one start in eight games last year, Lukes finished with 51 carries for 323 yards (6.3 per) and three touchdowns while also catching five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Lukes' best performance came against Akron in which he set career-highs for all-purpose yards (249), total touchdowns (three), rushing yards (160), and carries (26). He also caught four passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. He is coming off an injury.
Bailey split time with Lukes last season as the backup to Nichols, appearing in seven games while registering 32 carries for 176 yards (5.5 per) and nine catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. Bailey totaled 100 all-purpose yards in the season opener against No. 12 Oklahoma State, rushing for 51 on nine carries and catching three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, with the rest coming on kickoff returns.
The all-around Hicks appeared in all 12 games last season primarily as a wide receiver and on special teams, but he looks to make a transition to running back for his junior year. He returned seven kickoffs for 197 yards with a long of 50 in the season finale against Eastern Michigan.
CMU also welcomes B.J. Harris, a junior transfer from Missouri, who saw action in all 13 games for the Tigers primarily on special teams. He finished the year with eight carries for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Tafelski played in all 12 games last year, scoring a touchdown on three carries and catching four passes for 37 yards, all in a contest against Bowling Green. Brown (10 games) and DeWitt (seven games) saw occasional action as well. Tanelus returns to the squad after redshirting last season.
The running back room also welcomes talented newcomers in Jakivion Calip and Mekhi Jenkins.
The running backs are coached by Cornell Jackson, who enters his fifth year at CMU.
RUNNING BACKS PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN
26 | Myles Bailey | 5-10 | 225 | Jr. | North Brunswick, N.J.
27 | Sam Hicks | 5-9 | 185 | Jr. | Fort Worth, Texas
28 | B.J. Harris | 5-9 | 205 | Jr. | Chattanooga, Tenn.
9 | Marion Lukes | 5-9 | 200 | Jr. | Charlestown, Ind.
36 | Christian Brown | 5-11 | 215 | R-So. | Temperance, Mich.
23 | Jake Tafelski | 6-0 | 220 | R-So. | Dearborn, Mich.
39 | Tyler DeWitt | 5-11 | 195 | So. | Comstock Park, Mich.
46 | Germanuel Tanelus | 5-10 | 200 | R-Fr. | North Lauderdale, Fla.
4 | Jakivion Calip | 5-11 | 190 | Fr. | Lewis Center, Ohio
24 | Mekhi Jenkins | 5-9 | 190 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.
With Lew Nichols headed off to the NFL, Lukes looks to step up as one of the team's primary backs after serving as one of Nichols' primary backups last season. With just one start in eight games last year, Lukes finished with 51 carries for 323 yards (6.3 per) and three touchdowns while also catching five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Lukes' best performance came against Akron in which he set career-highs for all-purpose yards (249), total touchdowns (three), rushing yards (160), and carries (26). He also caught four passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. He is coming off an injury.
Bailey split time with Lukes last season as the backup to Nichols, appearing in seven games while registering 32 carries for 176 yards (5.5 per) and nine catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. Bailey totaled 100 all-purpose yards in the season opener against No. 12 Oklahoma State, rushing for 51 on nine carries and catching three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown, with the rest coming on kickoff returns.
The all-around Hicks appeared in all 12 games last season primarily as a wide receiver and on special teams, but he looks to make a transition to running back for his junior year. He returned seven kickoffs for 197 yards with a long of 50 in the season finale against Eastern Michigan.
CMU also welcomes B.J. Harris, a junior transfer from Missouri, who saw action in all 13 games for the Tigers primarily on special teams. He finished the year with eight carries for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Tafelski played in all 12 games last year, scoring a touchdown on three carries and catching four passes for 37 yards, all in a contest against Bowling Green. Brown (10 games) and DeWitt (seven games) saw occasional action as well. Tanelus returns to the squad after redshirting last season.
The running back room also welcomes talented newcomers in Jakivion Calip and Mekhi Jenkins.
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