Preseason Notebook: The Running Backs

Thomas Castellanos handing off to Treshaun Ward

Photo by: Ethan Roy

August 13, 2024 | Football

Hard work in the early morning sun sets the stage for scrimmage day on Wednesday.

By: Athletic Communications

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Tuesday was about the running backs. Looking at the members of Boston College's backfield, the Eagles boast a variety of weapons, each equipped to impact the offense in their own way.

"We say the four things: Tough, Determined, Dependable, and Durable. We want to make sure we're constantly doing those things," said running backs coach Savon Huggins. "As a group I think we're trending in the right direction."

Kye Robichaux and Alex Broome return as veterans of the program, with graduate transfer Treshaun Ward ready to make an immediate impact in his first year with the Eagles. Freshman Turbo Richard, redshirt freshman Datrell Jones, and transfer junior Jordan McDonald round out the depth chart with redshirt freshman Anthony Ferrucci and junior transfer Hunter Clark providing depth in the RB room.

THE RETURNERS

#5 – Kye Robichaux – Senior – Columbus, Ga.

The Eagles' lead running back of 2023, Kye Robichaux returns for his second season at BC after starting in eight games as a junior, and playing in 11. The Georgia native scampered for 780 yards and eight touchdowns on 163 carries, averaging just shy of five yards-per-carry. Robichaux garnered ACC Running Back of the Week honors after rushing for 165 yards and two scores in a win at Georgia Tech, and returns to provide a fast and formidable backfield duo with Thomas Castellanos.

"There's a different feel in the locker room, especially on the offensive side," said Robichaux. "Everybody's outside doing extra work, everybody's trying to better one of their skills…we got a goal in mind and everyone's trying to go get it… I like our group as a whole… we got a lot of competitors."

Robichaux has made his presence known through the first week and a half of camp. On Tuesday, the six-foot junior flashed his skill in the passing game with a nice catch-and-run up the middle in 7-on-7 work, and reminded everyone of the bruiser he is with a ten-yard touchdown run up the gut in team drills.

#20 – Alex Broome – Junior – Nashville, Tenn.

Alex Broome returns to the Eagles after appearing in 21 games over the past two seasons, surpassing 200 rushing yards each year as a key secondary contributor out of the BC backfield. Broome also emerged as a threat in the passing game, both in protection and as a receiver, with 34 catches over two seasons, logging over 200 yards in the process.

"The guys are continuously improving," said running backs coach Savon Huggins. "They're staying after for extra meetings, and we're doing this together… I think that's the biggest thing, you know… guys are contributing on special teams, and that's such an important deal for us as a unit…to make sure we are all contributing, not just with the ball, but without the ball…from a pass-protection standpoint, knowing where we need to align, spacing for route concepts, you know, just being reliable."

#26 – Datrell Jones – Redshirt Freshman – Hyde Park, Mass.

Datrell Jones, a local product out of Hyde Park and Catholic Memorial High School, redshirted in 2023 and is ready to carve out a role in this year's offense. Affectionately called "De-De" by his teammates, Jones has the full confidence of his running mates.

"'He's a good one," Kye Robichaux said. "He works hard, he's smart, he's young, and he's fast."

Speedy, versatile, and quick with the ball in his hands, Jones can impact the game in a variety of ways, showing off his ball-carrying between the tackles, while also impacting the short passing game.

#33 – Anthony Ferrucci – Redshirt Freshman – Fisher, Ind.

Anthony Ferrucci redshirted his freshman season in 2023 and will play an important role on special teams and as a key depth piece in the Eagles' backfield.

THE NEWCOMERS

#0 – Treshaun Ward – Graduate Transfer – Plant City, Fla.

Treshaun Ward arrives at BC with significant college experience to his credit, playing the 2023 season at Kansas State after spending three years at Florida State. Originally out of Plant City, Florida, Ward elevated the running back room as soon as he stepped foot on campus.

"Especially with me and Treshaun, as soon as we got here, we kinda just hit it off," said running mate Kye Robichaux. "We both have similar upbringings, both started our college career as walk-ons…we kinda just feed off each other and will continue into the season."

Ward carried the ball 124 times for 643 yards and five scores in 2023, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. He picked up All-ACC honorable mention with Florida State in 2022, and has emerged as a serious offensive weapon in preseason camp, able to make plays from all over the field.

"We're getting better on both sides of the ball," said Ward. "Coach has really been pushing the envelope on getting one percent better… and you know, as a team, the chemistry has been getting better in the running back room."

#25 – Jordan McDonald – Junior – Atlanta, Ga.

Jordan McDonald arrives at BC after spending two seasons at UCF and brings instant physicality and energy to the Eagles' stable of running backs. The Atlanta native rushed for over 2,900 yards with 50 touchdowns over his final two seasons of high school at Milton H.S. McDonald appeared in all but one game during his freshman season at UCF, and continues to impose his presence in preseason camp.

#27 – Turbo Richard – Freshman – Hickory, N.C.

As a true freshman, Turbo Richard has earned offensive and special teams reps in preseason camp. Richard is a Hickory, North Carolina native and the all-time leading rusher at Northwestern H.S. in South Carolina.

#36 – Hunter Clark – Junior – Greenwich, Conn.

Hunter Clark played in ten games at UConn before transferring to BC, and will play an important depth role and impact the special teams unit.